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The Use of Wind Rose to Improve the Quality of Site Analysis

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

The Use of Wind Rose to Improve the Quality of Site Analysis

Titin Sundari1, Boby Samra2 & Agus Basri Saptono3

1
Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru, 28265. Indonesia
Telp/Fax: +620811752217
E-mail: [email protected]
2
Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru, 28265. Indonesia
Tel/Fax: +62085278094780
E-mail:[email protected]
3
Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru, 28265. Indonesia
Tel/Fax: +6285271919130
E-mail:[email protected]

Abstract: Site analysis is the first step of building and environmental planning and design, which
has to be done to get the aim of the design. There are many factors that should be analyzed in that
step, and the wind, as one of the climate factors, is one of them. The importance of wind analysis is
to formulate the concept of building façade and landscape, as well as building structure. This paper
will concentrate on the first one. To formulate the concept of building and landscape, architects
should know about wind, its types and categories. Designers commonly use wind data in a simple
manner in their analysis. The need to enhance the quality analysis is urgent, which can be done by
utilizing a wind rose diagram. Generating a wind rose diagram can be either manually or by using
software. Several freeware can be obtained from the internet. The method used in this paper is the
implementation of freeware called WRPLOT View Version 8.0.0., which depicts the wind direction
and speed in a specific location and period of time. This paper will present how to produce a wind
rose diagram by taking a sample wind data of Pekanbaru, Indonesia, which were obtained from
Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics Board (BMKG) Riau Province. Analyzing the wind using
wind rose diagram to produce the concept of building façade and landscape is a significant effort in
improving the quality of analysis. Wind analysis using simple data, which usually contains
incomplete information, gives less optimal results. It could be sufficient when it is applied in a
small simple building plan, but neither in larger project nor in climate-related architectural project
such as tropical and bio-climatic architecture. By using the wind data from wind rose graphic, in
which the information is more complete, the quality of analysis will be improved. Finally, the
author will show a simple example on how to implement wind rose in site analysis.

Keywords: Site analysis, wind rose, WRPLOT View Version 8.0.0., improved site analysis.

1. Introduction
Planning and design is the early process in architecture to create buildings and environment.
According to Benjamin Handler , the aim of the architectural process is in the last subsystem, i.e.
shaping human behavior by improving the building and environment [1]. Therefore architects have
the responsibility to design good facilities which can be sustained and operated for a long time period
and enhance good behavior of its user. A sustainable building and environment should become an
important concept to architects.
Sustainable architecture which was promoted since 1991 by Earth Pledge Foundation is a part of
sustainable lifestyle focused on the need to live and work in a prosperous and healthy environment [2].
Jason Frederick McLennan (2000) stated that one of the seven principles of living building is that it

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

has to be adapted specifically to site and climate. Furthermore, a living building should evolve as
conditions change [2]. Further, Sustainable site analysis is applied to achieve sustainable buildings
and environment, which will produce good behavior of the users. Many factors can be covered in site
analysis, either physical or nonphysical. Joseph de Chiara and Lee E. Koppelman (1978) divided the
factors into two general groups: natural and cultural resources, which were broken down into nine
items, they are soil, vegetation, hydrology, climate, topography, aesthetics, historical significance,
existing land use and physiographic obstruction. Moreover, the building’s orientation to the climate,
such as sun, wind and vistas, is very important in a site analysis. Unfortunately the method used to
analyze is generally insufficient, therefore the result is less optimal. Therefore, this condition needs to
improve.
This paper contains three main subtopics which are related to each other to form the whole context,
i.e. the understanding and using of wind rose in site analysis; they are as follows: Firstly, a review of
the wind and how it needs to be analyzed to show the importance of wind analysis. Secondly, a brief
method of generating a wind rose diagram will be presented by adopting a freeware, i.e. WRPLOT
View Version 8.0.0. The wind data were taken from the Board of Meteorology, Climate and
Geophysics (BMKG) Riau Province . Thirdly, an explanation on how to make the wind data with
wind rose graphic and its use for site analysis.
2. Wind Factor in the Site Analysis
As De Chiara (1978) stated about the standard of site planning, wind is one of the factors influencing it. Edward
T. White also said that one of the most important information in contextual analysis is wind direction. In terms
of site analysis, it needs accurate data about the wind, its types and the way it works on a building and
environment. Then the analysis will produce an excellent building and environment concept [5].
2.1 Categories of Wind
Phillip Tabb (1984) divided climate (including wind) into two categories: macro climate and micro climate. In
terms of wind, the macro climate will cause prevailing wind, which refers to the wind in overall condition
caused by general or global wind formed by the earth’s wind patterns. Whereas micro climate or local climate
will cause a specific type of local wind that formed when the global wind meets a specific local condition, i.e.
topography, natural and man-made physical feature. Indonesia, with its specific geographic character, has been
influenced by the monsoon wind, which can be described as two different wind conditions of January and July.
January’s wind tends to come from the North West and North East, whereas July’s wind comes from the South
East and South West. Other types of wind such as hurricane, typhoon and tornados are chaotic They are not
considered to be prevailing wind, so this paper will not discuss about those. Sir Francis Beaufort (1808) has
arranged the wind speed scale and detected some physical sign in nature. Dean Rudityo Ajie and M. Nur
Cahyadi presented the table of Beaufort scale which was taken from Stewart (2008). Beaufort scale consists of
information about wind speed level, description of each level, wind speed, and environment phenomena, such as
the height of ocean waves that will make it easier to detect the wind without equipment [6]. Beaufort
scale consists of 13 levels of wind speed including calm condition, while WRPLOT View has 6 levels of wind
speed, calm condition is not be drawn in the graph.
2.2 Local Wind Data Retrieval
It is not a simple work to get the local wind data, because it needs several scientific equipment or wind speed
instrument to quantify the wind speed, blowing hits, etc. The data retrieval will also need a time period that is
statistically reasonable. A decent data should at least 5 years’ worth of wind data. This means that the local wind
measurement work will be very expensive to do by individual projects. Thus, it is a common practice to buy
wind data from the nearest local meteorological station. It saves time and money, but they will not get data of
the precise project’s location. Advanced wind data of specific location may be provided to a mega project. This
is not included in this paper.
In the subtopic about generating wind rose below, this paper will use a sample of the wind data, taken
from Meteorology Station Class 1 of The Board of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (Henceforth:
BMKG) Riau Province, of Sultan Syarif Qasim II Airport Station, Pekanbaru.

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

3. Generating the Wind Rose

A wind rose is actually a diagram in concentric circle form. This diagram can be applied to produce
not only wind data, but also other data such as its direction and quantity. Wind rose diagram is mostly
used in designing airport and seaport. Generating a wind rose diagram can be done by drawing with
CAD software such as AutoCAD. The data which, has to be prepared in a table form by using a
software such as Microsoft Excel, can be transformed manually into a graph by using AutoCAD.
Another method is by using a different software program called the WRPLOT View, and in this paper
it will be used to give a sample on how to generate a wind rose. WRPLOT View is a freeware which
can be obtained from the internet by registering one’s self in the systemand the software can be
downloaded freely. After inputting the registration code, the WRPLOT window will appear and a
wind rose diagram can be generated using several main steps as follows:
Step 1. Prepare the climate data in Excel table format before starting. Import the data to
WRPLOT program to create a data file in SAMSON format, which is the standard format of this
software. In doing data import, one should follow all the steps and adjust several information settings
correctly, such as “hour” which has alternatives that can be chosen depending on the Excel data
format. After finishing setting the import surface data information, push the “import” button.
Step 2. Create a backup file of the SAMSON data format outside of the WRPLOT software.
Once the software has finished inputting the data, it will automatically produce several forms of data,
such as meteorology data information, frequency count, frequency distribution, graph and wind rose.
Click the wind rose button to see the wind rose diagram. This paper used BMKG’s wind data 2017,
and the result of the generating process is the wind rose diagram below (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Wind rose year 2017 “blow to” direction.

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

Figure 2. Wind rose year 2017 “blow from” direction.

Figure 1 is wind rose in “blow to” direction showing that the winds blow to leave the location
for the North (N), South (S), South East (SE) and West (W). That means that these winds are suction
winds, which work to pull off the leeward of the building. On the other hand as present in the Figure
2, the winds came from the South (S), North West (NW), and North (N). These winds act as pushing
winds that blow and give compression to the building.
The two figures above explain that the wind condition in Pekanbaru 2017 was dominated mostly
with red color and then yellow color. The red color represents wind speed of 5-7 Knot or 2.57-3.60
m/s or 5.75 – 8.05 Mph; while the yellow color represents 4.08 – 7 Knots or 2.1 -3.6 m/s or 4.69 –
8.055. Furthermore, In Beaufort scale it means these wind range from the light air to gentle breeze,
which are not hazardous. In terms of wind load to the building structure, this wind speed is considered
light, but still has to be counted in the structure calculation, especially when the project has the
possibility to meet the gust wind. That’s another type of wind, but this paper doesn’t discuss about
building structure.
4. Improving the Quality of Analysis
In order to improve site analysis, there should be an understanding about the limitation of the
improvement. Ideally, the analysis will be more quantitative and give a precise result. But it is
difficult to get, because site analysis also depends on the analyzer’s style, science background,
experiences and other resources. It also depends on the morality of the designer, whether he or she has
awareness on implementing a sustainable concept of architecture. Wind, which is only small part
among many factors of site analysis, might determine the future world. Therefore, This paper will
demonstrate how to analyze with the author’s version, which might be a different style when done by
someone else. Before analyzing, several limitations have to be dealt with as follows:
Firstly, limitations of wind data. The wind rose created above only covers one year (2017), which
is insufficient. A reasonable data ideally has a range of minimum 5 years. Climate, including wind, is
very unstable and even sometimes difficult to predict. In one location the wind data on several years
in a row (2014-2017) vary in its conditions while in Pekanbaru, year 2014-2017, South wind is stable
with speed of 6-7 Knot (May-August). This behavior formed a stable pattern, but in other months
there are many changes in their directions, therefore the pattern is unpredictable. These wind
behaviors should be considered in the site analysis, at least by using a 5 years wind data which

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

represents the wind’s behaviors during that range of time. This paper will give an example on how to
improve the analysis with assumption data, not necessarily a real data. Secondly, limitations of the
site. A very simple form of site will be applied in the analysis example. The samples used in this
paper are basic, so that the environment’s components, thus the analysis, does not vary and make it
too complicated. Thirdly, limitations of the scope of analysis. The analysis example will consist of 2
steps which should be done in order: the wind analysis to the environment and the wind analysis to
the building. Both analyses are drawn in Figures 3 to 6 in simple, rough sketches.
4.1 Wind analysis to the environment
There is an obvious influence of wind blow to the environment, as mentioned in De Chiara’s Site
Planning Standard. The scope of environment and wind speed mean velocity should be controlled
through its speed, direction and stability. To do a complete analysis the gust wind should also be
included. In this analysis sample only the wind speed mean velocity will be reviewed. Mangun
Wijaya divided the prevailing wind in Indonesia into 2 periods, they are January period, which is
dominated by West wet wind, and July period, which is dominated by South dry wind. Both winds’
speed is dominated by red color (7.00-11.08 Knots) and yellow color (4.08-7.00 Knots) respectively.
In Figure 3, the wind analysis to the environment, January period is explained. The assumed
wind on January period blows from (+) NW, wet, red, 17%; NW, wet, yellow, 25%; and N, wet,
yellow, 8.55%. The most stable wind is NW, yellow. The concept to control these winds, not every
wind speed, is by putting the porous hard scape, because wet wind may cause humidity, so that the
receiving area should easily catch the sunbeam. That’s why this area doesn’t need a dense tree shade.
But spruce and lawn trees need to absorb the rainwater, so they are combined with absorbent
hardscape such as charcoal and pumice stone to absorb the humidity of air. The important factor in
controlling humidity is the smooth flow of wind circulation, for the arrangement of hardscapes should
be porous.

Figure 3. Wind analysis to the environment, January period.

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

In Figure 4, the assumed July period winds comes from (+) S, dry, red, 25%; S, dry, yellow,
16.4%; and W, red, dry, 8.6%. In this period, the dry wind coming from the South dominantly blows
to the site. Although the speed of these wind are not quite strong, but sometimes small wind
acceleration can occur and it may bring dust to the site. To control this wind are: (1) filter the dusty
wind through the combination of plants, i.e. fir, shade trees, shrub and lawn in combination, and (2)
increase the wind humidity by providing a pond to give water vapor, thus avoiding too much hard
scape on this side.

Figure 4. Wind analysis to the environment, July period.

4.2 Wind Analysis to the Building
The wind analysis to the building is limited to the building façade. The intention is to show how the
façade respond to the incoming wind. As mentioned before, the wind speed is not so strong, so there
is no need to hide or turning the façade away from the wind exposure. This is the reason of why the
long side of the building faced the North and the North West.
The façade concepts are to catch the conditioned wind, after blowing through the porous hard
scape, in order to supply the building through vertical louvers which can be adjusted. Vertical louvers
give an optimal opening vertically. These are suitable to catch clean wind. Whereas the opposite
façade building uses horizontal louvers that can be adjusted to prevent lower dusty wind from entering
the building. The concept of terrace is to give space where the blowing wind can be conditioned
before entering the building. A wide opening of terrace faced the incoming clean wind (NW & N),
while a narrow opening faced the incoming conditioned dusty dry wind (SE).
The below Figures 5 and 6 will show how the wet wind and the dry one will be given different
treatments to achieve suitably conditioned wind which are needed by the persons in the building. All
the treatments are natural, with the assumption that mechanical treatments are not applied in this step
of design.

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

Figure 5. Wind analysis to the building, July period.

The South and West wind in July period are coming from Australia and Siberia which are dry
wind, which needed to be conditioned before reaching the building. Figure 6 shows an effort of
conditioning by planting shady dense trees, shrubs and pond. The conditioned wind reaches and enters
the building through horizontal louvers and narrow opening terrace. Patios will help to refresh the air
entering the inner space of building.

Figure 6. Wind analysis to the building, January period.

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International Conference on Environment and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 469 (2020) 012017 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012017

In January period, the wind coming from North and North West are stable wet wind. The speed
is suitable to the building, but sometimes acceleration may occur, especially when it rains. Applying
porous hard scape will reduce the humidity of the air and act as a wind breaker of the accelerated
wind blow when it rains. In the leeward of hard scape, conditioned winds are conveniently enters the
building through the vertical louvers with maximum opening. Wide opening of terrace lets the fresh
clean wind enter the building via patios.
The example above is a very basic analysis. It will be more complicated as variables of its
factors increase such as the size of site, specific topography condition, extreme climate etc. What the
author’s aim for is to bring awareness to young designers on the wind factor in site analysis, so that
designers can be efficient in his or her design, which are part of the sustainable design. A building and
its environment, which is designed with awareness to the nature, wind included, will influence the
user’s morality and hopefully improve their behavior.
5. References
[1] Handler, A. B. 1970. Systems approach to architecture. Elsevier Publishing Company.
[2] Earth Pledge Foundation. 2000. Sustainable Architecture. White Papers. Laval, Quebec:
Quebecor Printing.
[3] McLennan, Jason Frederick. 2000. Living Buildings in Sustainable Architecture. White Papers.
Laval, Quebec: Quebecor Printing.
[4] Chiara, Joseph De, and Lee E Koppelman. 1978. Site Planning Standards. McGraw-Hill Book
Company.
[5] White, Edward T. Site Analysis. https://docslide.net/documents/site-analysis-edward-t-white/
[6] Aji, D. R., & Cahyadi, M. N. (2015). Analisa Karakteristik Kecepatan Angin Dan Tinggi
Gelombang Menggunakan Data Satelit Altimetri (Studi Kasus: Laut Jawa). Geoid,
11(1), 75-78.