Summary of the impact

Work by the University of Southampton's Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics research group (AFM) has led to advances in the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics, a key element of the accurate and cost-effective modelling of airflow and turbulence. New techniques have been incorporated in commercial software releases (e.g. CD-adapco's Star-CD v4) and adopted by leading design and engineering firms (e.g Arup, Buro Happold), giving UK businesses a significant edge over their international competitors. Specifically,

• CD-adapco with its client base of more than 7,000 users and 3,000 firms, using the new techniques, enjoy a competitive advantage;
• AFM's work has helped Arup to significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of design, and Arup's standing on projects.

The techniques have been increasingly influencing the design of wind-sensitive structures by facilitating the faster, cheaper and more precise prediction of factors such as peak wind loading and pollutant dispersion.