Orbital Stack offers two unique options for microclimate simulations – AI and Rapid CFD. Knowing the strengths and limitations of these models is essential for making the right selection for your project.
From a high level, the AI engine is appropriate for early-stage evaluations where massing changes and large-scale mitigation strategies are being evaluated. This approach uses machine learning to estimate wind conditions for your project. AI simulations offer the fastest turnaround, allowing users to iterate designs quickly and affordably.
Rapid CFD provides a more detailed evaluation of microclimate and uses RANS-based CFD to calculate wind conditions directly. Simulations done with Rapid CFD can resolve finer flow details compared to the AI and can be used to evaluate smaller spaces and more detailed mitigations such as trees and windscreens.
It is important to note that wind results are the only part of a simulation that are generated directly by the AI or Rapid CFD approach. All pedestrian wind comfort and thermal comfort results are calculated downstream based on the underlying wind simulation and selected weather data source. These results are created in the same way for both AI and CFD simulations. Solar results are also identical for AI and CFD simulations as they do not depend on wind results and are based only on the project geometry.
