Wind engineering studies for a tall tower with open terraces and a unique geometry
Divan Residence is a 50-storey residential tower approximately 180 meters in height featuring a podium with amenity spaces, balconies at all levels, and large terraces on the upper levels.
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The Challenge
This project posed several wind engineering challenges. Its significant height above other buildings in the area and its proximity to water exposed it to high winds. Its unique shape, with many different angles, made the use of code very limiting. The large open terraces on the upper floors meant determining occupant safety and comfort was particularly important, as was determining pedestrian comfort and safety at the podium level and at ground level.
Our Approach
The more detail on wind loading RWDI could provide, the more economical and sustainable the tower would be to build. To this end, our team of multidisciplinary climate and performance engineers tested a scale model of the development and its surroundings in a wind tunnel and integrated this data with a statistical wind climate model developed for the area to:
- Determine if wind would pose a challenge in terms of pedestrian comfort and safety, recommending mitigation measures for those areas deemed too windy.
- Assess wind loads for designing the facade of the building.
- Predict the wind-induced structural responses of the building and help refine the structural design.
The Outcome
As well as determining whether mitigation measures would be required, our wind engineering efforts could help to save both cost and materials for the building, lessening its carbon footprint and resulting in a reduced impact on the climate.