A High Performance Framework for Coupled Urban Microclimate Models
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Abstract:
Urban form modifies the microclimate and may trap in heat and pollutants. This
causes a rise of energy demands to heat and cool building interiors. Mitigating these
effects is a growing concern due to the increasing urbanization of major cities. Researchers,
urban planners, and city architects rely on sophisticated simulations to
investigate how to reduce building and air temperatures. However, the complex interactions
between urban form and the microclimate are not well understood. Many
factors shape the microclimate, such as solar radiation, atmospheric convection, longwave
interaction between nearby buildings, and more. As science evolves, new models
are developed and existing ones are improved. More accurate and sophisticated models
often impose higher computational overhead.
This paper introduces QUIC EnvSim (QES), a scalable, high performance framework
for coupled urban microclimate models. QES allows researchers to develop and
modify such models, in which tools are provided to facilitate input/output communications,
model interaction, and the utilization of computational resources for efficient
simulations. Common functionality of urban microclimate modeling is optimally handled
by the system. By employing Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), simulations
within QES can be substantially accelerated. Models for computing view factors, surface
temperatures, and radiative exchange between urban materials and vegetation
have been implemented and coupled into larger, more sophisticated simulations.
These models can be applied to complex domains such as large forests and dense
cities. Visualizations, statistics, and analysis tools provide a detailed view of experimental
results. Performance increases with additional GPUs and hardware availability.
Several diverse examples have been implemented to provide details on utilizing
the features of QES for a wide range of applications.