A Numerical Investigation into the Spread Characteristics of a Human Virus-Carrying Droplet in a Classroom Environment

Abstract

In public health, the transmission characteristics and laws of highly infectious virus-carrying particles in the air environment have become a hot topic. The study on the spread characteristics of human virus-carrying droplets in a typical densely populated space is necessary. As such, a classroom space lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) model with a dense population is established to simulate and analyze the spreading and diffusing behavior of pathogenic droplets. The results show that the dispersion density is mainly affected by the mainstream wind direction in the area of concern, and particle aggregation is more likely to form in the area close to the wind disturbance. Due to the dense thermal plumes, the droplet movement is a clear convergence towards the upper space of the classroom. This could explain the fact that people living above confirmed cases are now more likely to be infected.