Aspects of stadium design for warm climates

The airflow pattern on the spectators' terrace in stadia is affected by numerous architectural factors, such as form, size, permeability, i.e. the morphology of the building. A stadium design not taking into account the prevailing environmental parameters can result in unpleasant thermal and aerodynamic environment in the stadium bowl.The present article focuses on the airflow modifying effect of some architectural parameters, such as the overhang of the roof, the ratio and disposition of the openings on the stadium façade and the roof slope. The airflow that spectators are exposed to, has a significative aerothermal comfort modifying effect both in warm and cold climates. In warm climates the aim is to provide homogeneous and intense ventilation complying on one hand, the threshold of mechanical nuisance and on the other hand that of the athletic records' certification.The analysis provided by this article is based on the results of a series of parametric wind tunnel experiments carried out in one of the boundary layer wind tunnels of the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment de Nantes (CSTB). The results have been analysed using mathematical statistical methods in order to characterise the average airflow conditions and those belonging to the most and less intensely ventilated zones of the spectators' terrace.