Wind analysis in Forma

Step-by-step guide

To analyze wind conditions on a site, a rapid or a detailed wind analysis can be triggered in Forma.

1. With a project open, from the right panel, select Wind.
   

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The rapid wind analysis runs instantly. These results are based on AI model predictions and are more directional than the simulation-based detailed analysis. Rapid wind results include wind speed and estimated pedestrian wind comfort, and are best used during active design.

The detailed wind analysis uses computational fluid analysis, so it can take a while before its run is complete. These results also include wind speed and estimated pedestrian wind comfort, and can be used for documentation and final results.

To review previously run analyses:

2. From the panel, Detailed wind section, select View history.
3. In the flyout of previous analyses, select a date.
4. Select the wind analysis.
   

The panel and canvas update.

5. Open the Direction tab.
6. In the panel, use the interactive wind rose to review information about the probability of the wind coming from a certain direction.
   

The frequency of occurrence for a given direction is identified by the size of the corresponding segment.

7. Next, review the wind speed graph, which displays how likely this wind speed is in the selected direction.

It defaults to the most probable value, but slide it to test other wind speeds.

8. Toggle Streamlines.
9. Expand the Streamlines to enable the View option.
10. With the view set to Importance, streamlines with the greatest deviation from straight lines are shown in the canvas.
     

11. Pan and zoom into the canvas to review wind tunneling and other streamlines in the analysis.
12. Back in the panel, review the Statistics section for more information.
13. Switch to the Comfort tab.

The comfort scale indicates where it is most likely comfortable for pedestrians engaging in different activities, such as sitting, standing, or walking.

14. Expand the Comfort scale drop-down.
15. Specify a scale to determine comfort, such as the Lawson LDDC scale.
    

This can be helpful in certain circumstances. For instance, if the designed region is warmer, wind can allow airflow into the design.

16. Click Inspect, and then pick a point in the canvas.

A tooltip indicates the comfort scale of the selected coordinates and the dominating wind direction. In this example, the selected point is suitable for sitting, and the dominating wind direction is from the south.

17. Pick another spot on the canvas. In this example, the point selected is suitable for strolling, and the dominating direction is from the southwest.
18. Continue to pick in the canvas to review information within the design.
19. When finished, close out of the wind analysis to return to the Analysis view.