Airflow Analyst can utilize general GIS data such as topographic data and building shape data for wind analysis.

This is extremely efficient because the model data can be used directly for simulation without any conversion or re-modeling of the model data, which conventional fluid analysis software requires.

Elevation Data

The worldwide elevation data distributed as standard in ArcGIS Pro can be used for terrain data. This eliminates the need to prepare new data when analyzing airflow over terrain.

Satellite imagery and DEMs generated from drones can also be utilized if original terrain data is desired.

Building Data

For buildings, a variety of data supported by ArcGIS Pro is available.

This includes (1) polygon data including height information, and (2) multi-patch feature classes.

It is also possible to combine and analyze various data, including open 3D data such as PLATEAU, commercially available 3D data such as AW3D, BIM/CIM design data, 3D data created by 3D modeling software, and urban area data created by ESRI City Engine.

These features make wind analysis more efficient and accurate.

A three-dimensional “computational grid” is created in wind simulations. This computational grid’s fineness directly affects the simulation results’ accuracy.

Airflow Analyst features a 3D view of the computational grid being created by the user on a map. In addition, this grid can be changed interactively according to the user’s preferences.

This allows the user to intuitively set the range of the calculation area and the fineness of the grid spacing relative to the terrain and landforms while confirming the settings in 3D. This allows for more precise wind simulations with the user’s intended settings.

Airflow Analyst employs a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) solver that can faithfully simulate complex wind dynamics over time.

Generally, LES takes a lot of time to compute, but Airflow Analyst’s LES is optimized for multi-core CPUs so that results can be obtained on a typical personal computer in a few hours.

If a PC is equipped with a GPU, which excels at even faster calculations, the calculation speed can be several times faster than that of a CPU.

This allows for rapid identification of wind movement and allows designers to concentrate on designing and formulating solutions to wind-related problems.

A unique extension of ArcGIS Pro 3D’s display capabilities allows various visualizations of fluid flow phenomena.

The display area can be interactively manipulated and displayed in 3D animation. This allows for a very intuitive understanding of the flow structure and presentation on the map.

In addition, statistical processing and conversion to feature classes can be performed on the analysis results.

This allows users to use ArcGIS’ powerful spatial analysis methods to make decisions and output them as maps for communication.

Trees and windbreak nets have the property of weakening and transmitting wind.

Airflow Analyst can simulate the effect of transmitted wind by assigning the properties of this transmission wall to the geometry on the map.

As a result, simulations can consider how plantings and wind nets affect the wind environment.

This allows for a more realistic assessment and analysis of the wind environment.