2011/02/01 by Andreas Matzarakis, Olaf Matuschek · 1 citation
Engineering · Environmental Science · #Building Energy and Comfort Optimization #Urban Green Space and Health #Urban Heat Island Mitigation
paper · doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2011/0499
openalex publication_date 2011/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Graphic processors can be integrated in simulation models computing e.g. three-dimensional flow visualization or radiation estimation. Going a step further it is even possible to use modern graphics hardware as general-purpose array processors. These ideas and approaches use a cheap mass production technology to solve specific problems. This technology can be applied for modelling climate conditions or climate-relevant parameters on the micro-scale or with respect to urban areas. To illustrate this we present the simulation of the continuous sky view factor (SVF), thus the calculation of the SVF for each point of a complex area. Digital elevation models (DEM), data concerning urban obstacles (OBS) or other digital files can serve as a data base in order to quantify relevant climatic conditions in urban and complex areas. The following benefits are provided by the new model: (a) short computing time (b) short development time and (c) low costs due to the use of open source frameworks. The application of the developed model will be helpful to estimate radiation fluxes and the mean radiant temperature in urban and complex situations accurately, especially in combination with an urban microclimate model, e.g. the RayMan model.