WindStation

WindStation is a reliable application designed to help you calculate the wind flow and heat transfer based on computer generated topography. The program can be used to determine the wind currents that are generated around bluff obstacles, including turbulences and other thermal effects.

WindStation uses a boundary fitted coordinate system and can work with complex topographies, bluff and pervious obstacles. The calculations are based on the 3D Navier-Stokes air flow algorithms and the turbulence can be estimated with the help of the k-e model.

The variables in the equation include terrain type, elevation, roughness and other obstacles generated based on ground shear stress modeling. The energy equation allows you to model and calculate the result for the atmospheric stability.

Moreover, the program allows you to determine the heat transfer on the ground, by estimating the temperature imposition or heat flux imposition. Pervious obstacles can be simulated with the help of inclusion of source terms.

WindStation is simple to use and features a rather intuitive interface. The terrain or obstacles model in loaded into the workspace, while the menus are displayed on the margins. The column on the left is dedicated to non-permanent menus, while the toolbar at the top and the one on the right permanently display information.

However, it is recommended that the main window should permanently stay at its maximum extension state so that you can access all the functions. Resizing the window can hide several buttons.

WindStation allows you to calculate the wind domain, which requires data regarding the domain boundaries, horizontal/vertical spacing and domain extension.

The program allows you to customize the analyzed area, by loading data regarding the elevation, roughness, surface temperature and the heat flux. Moreover, you can generate wind stations, by entering their definitions: their location, boundary layer height, directory and two reading slots.