Effects of vortex generators on the wind load of a flat roof: A computational study

Vortex generators are commonly used in mechanical engineering and the aerospace industry to suppress flow separation owing to their advantages of simple structure, economic viability, and high level of efficiency. Owing to the flow separation of the incoming wind on the leading edge, a suction area is formed on the roof surface, which results in a lifting effect on the roof. In this research, vortex generators were installed on the windward surface of a flat roof and used to disturb to roof flow field and reduced suction based on flow control theory. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed in this study to investigate the effects of vortex generators on reduce suction. It was determined that when the vortex generator was installed on the top of the roof on the windward surface, it had a significant control effect on reduce suction on the roof leading edge. In addition, the influence of parameters such as size, placement interval, and placement position of the vortex generator on the control effect of the roof's suction is also discussed.