Pedestrian Wind Comfort
If the distance between the buildings decreases and the heights increase, the comfort of the wind at the pedestrian level should be questioned.
Facade Wind Loading
The facade wind loads are calculated for every 10 degree angle. The results are delivered in 3D format with the requested file extensions.
We run our analyses with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations; with a methodology aligned with wind-tunnel practice, we deliver facade wind loading and pedestrian-level wind comfort studies under one roof.
Wind tunnel testing or CFD simulation? How Alkazar works
Short answer: Alkazar is a wind engineering consultancy that runs CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations — not a physical wind tunnel — with a modelling set-up aligned with boundary-layer wind tunnel practice. Since 2011 the team has applied this to 200+ projects covering millions of square metres, mainly for facade wind loading and pedestrian-level wind comfort.
Three ways to assess wind on a building — and where each fits
| Method | What it is | Where it fits | Alkazar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical / code calculation | Closed-form formulas from EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode) or TS 498 for Türkiye. | Regular geometry, low to moderate height, generic surroundings. | Used as the baseline and cross-check for every study. |
| CFD simulation | Numerical solution of the flow field around the actual geometry with the surrounding context, direction by direction. | Tall or irregular buildings, dense context, early-stage massing comparison, mitigation testing. | Core service — delivered in-house. |
| Boundary-layer wind tunnel test | Physical scale model tested in a wind tunnel facility. | Landmark, supertall or authority/insurer-mandated cases. | Not operated by Alkazar; our methodology is aligned with it and our results can be read alongside tunnel reports. |
Standards and criteria we work to
EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1, Part 1-4: wind actions) and TS 498 for Türkiye on the loading side; activity-based comfort categories of the Lawson-type criteria (long-term sitting, short-term sitting, standing, strolling, walking) on the pedestrian comfort side, evaluated as threshold exceedance against local long-term wind statistics.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Alkazar operate a physical wind tunnel?
- No. Alkazar delivers wind engineering studies with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation, using a set-up aligned with boundary-layer wind tunnel practice: an atmospheric boundary layer inflow profile, the surrounding built context modelled around the site, and directional analysis in 10° increments. Results are therefore readable alongside wind tunnel reports and code-based calculations.
- When is a CFD simulation needed instead of a code calculation?
- Code formulas such as EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1, Part 1-4) and TS 498 assume regular geometry and generic surroundings. CFD is used when the building is tall or irregular, when neighbouring buildings channel or shield the flow, when podium and canopy effects matter, or when the design team needs to compare massing options before the geometry is frozen.
- Which wind engineering services does Alkazar provide?
- Facade wind loading (pressure coefficients and cladding zones), pedestrian-level wind comfort around and between buildings, and wind-driven effects on outdoor spaces, roof terraces and equipment areas. Data centre external flow, natural ventilation and outdoor thermal comfort studies use the same simulation infrastructure.
- What is delivered at the end of a study?
- A report with the modelling assumptions and wind statistics used, pressure or comfort results per wind direction (typically every 10°), maps and 3D result files in the formats requested by the design team, and design recommendations where mitigation is needed.
- Which projects has this been applied to?
- More than 200 projects since 2011, covering millions of square metres — including airports, data centres, high-rise and mixed-use developments, campuses and cultural buildings in Türkiye and internationally.