Researchers from Cornell University created a tool to help building managers, architects and designers adjust office spaces to a world post COVID-19.

As office spaces start to open up after over a year of remote work, office managers are trying to figure out ways to keep their employees safe. Cornell researchers created a tool that can help determine where to place indoor workplace furniture, staff, partitions and ventilation to prevent infection. The best way to do this is to maximize airflow and reduce the risk of airborne pathogens.The new indoor module for Cornell’s Eddy3D software, which shows airflow in various indoor configurations, will be available July 30. Source: Cornell University

The new indoor module works on existing Eddy3D software. It is a professional-level airflow and microclimate simulator that can help improve ventilation to avoid COVID-19 spread.

The module is based on computational fluid dynamics with a simple user interface. It has a validated simulation engine and streamlined simulation setup for fast analysis. The simulations show the direction of airflow and indicate regions in rooms where the air is stagnant and where pathogens may start to concentrate.

In lab testing, the module showed that furniture and concentration of people have a large influence on virus diffusion through a floor plan. Plastic partitions proved to block virus diffusion. Direct air also enabled a higher virus dissipation rate.

The team’s new tool would allow designers, architects and building managers to find good synchronization of airflow everywhere in an office and protect employees from COVID-19.

Researchers presented their new module at the International Building Performance Association. A preprint of their research is available on ResearchGate.