Numerical simulations of the effect of building configurations and wind direction on fine particulate matters dispersion in a street canyon

To explore the effect of traffic emissions on air quality within street canyon, the wind flow and pollutant dispersion distribution in urban street canyons of different H/W, building gap and wind direction are studied and discussed by 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations. The largest PM2.5 concentrations are 46.4, 37.5, 28.4 mu g/m(3) when x = - 88, - 19.3, - 19.3 m in 1.5 m above the ground level and the ratio of H/W is 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively. The flow around the top of the building and clearance flow between the buildings in street canyon influence by different H/W, which affected the diffusion of fine particulate matters. The largest PM2.5 concentrations are 88.1, 31.6 and 33.7 mu g/m(3) when x = 148.0, - 92.3 and - 186.7 m above the ground level of 1.5 m height and the building gap of 0, 20 and 40%, respectively. The air flows are cut by the clearance in the street canyons, and present the segmental characteristics. The largest PM2.5 concentrations are 10.6, 11.2 and 16.0 mu g/m(3) when x = 165.3 m, x = 58.0 and 1.5 m above the ground level of 1.5 m height and wind direction of the parallel to the street, perpendicular to the street and southwest, respectively. Modelled PM2.5 concentrations are basic agreement with measured PM2.5 concentrations for southwest wind direction. These results can help analyze the difussion of PM2.5 concentration in street canyons and urban planning.