Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Aerodynamic Performance of Buildings with Balconies and HAWT Mounted on the Roof
 
research article

Aerodynamic Performance of Buildings with Balconies and HAWT Mounted on the Roof

López, Mario A. Aguirre
•
Zahuantitla, Filiberto Hueyotl
•
Martinez-Vazquez, Pedro
Show more
November 28, 2025
Buildings

The increasing complexity of tall buildings demands higher performance in serviceability and resilience, particularly regarding airflow control to reduce vibration-inducing forces. On the other hand, harnessing wind energy in suburban environments remains a challenge for sustainable city planning. This study examines airflow around a tall building designed for vertical wind farming, incorporating passive flow-control balconies and a roof-mounted horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT). Using 3D-resolved flow simulations, we analyse configurations with a 3-blade HAWT placed at varying heights and combined with different balcony types. The results show that turbine height has a stronger influence on rotational performance and near-wake dynamics than balcony geometry, while the mid-wake depends primarily on the building itself. We also find that shorter turbines reduce material and maintenance costs while maintaining similar power output at 30 rpm, whereas taller turbines offer only marginal safety improvements at roof level. Overall, the prototypes demonstrate the feasibility of combining facade roughness with on-site wind harvesting to maximise energy capture without duplicating infrastructure in suburban contexts.

  • Files
  • Details
  • Metrics
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

buildings-15-04325.pdf

Type

Main Document

Version

Published version

Access type

openaccess

License Condition

CC BY

Size

5.04 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

20429b15f3c3cba8edd95401bda29900

Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés