Sobha One

Our client needed to gain a thorough understanding of how the wind climate in Dubai would influence the development and its facade. They also wanted to determine whether building performance, specifically airflow, would pose a challenge. Due to the varying height of the structure, and its intricate, interlocking design —not to mention its location in a wind-prone region — wind tunnel testing was needed to effectively study the interaction the towers would have with both the wind and each other. The more detail on wind loading RWDI could provide, the more economical and sustainable the structure would be to build.

RWDI’s multi-disciplinary team of experts:

• Tested a scale model of the structure in our Trivandrum, India, wind tunnel.
• Analyzed wind tunnel results using long-term meteorological data for the area.
• Predicted overall wind-induced loads acting on each floor of the towers for the structural design and to affirm that building motions at the top floor would not be uncomfortable for occupants.
• Predicted the wind pressures acting on the building envelope to investigate the relationship between the roof/facade and any wind related issues that could occur.
• Conducted stack effect testing to determine if the design would have any adverse air flow issues.

Our testing allowed the designers to optimize the layout of their development while being both cost effective and sustainable. Reducing the carbon footprint of the building through refining the amount of materials needed saved money and resulted in a reduced impact on the climate.