Computational Fluid Dynamics of Corona Virus Dispersion in an Elevator Cabin due to a Sneeze

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need to understand how viruses spread in enclosed spaces such as elevator cabins. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding aerosol dispersion from sneezing in elevators through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This highlights the role of the airborne transmission of COVID-19 and its increased likelihood in poorly ventilated areas. Methodologically, the study modelled an elevator cabin and simulated sneeze velocities of 1, 2, 3, and 4.5 m/s to analyse the flow regions, velocity, and pressure. These results indicate that higher sneeze velocities lead to enhanced aerosol spread, significantly increasing the potential for virus transmission. This demonstrates that proper air circulation and cleaning play crucial roles in reducing infection rates in elevators, thereby providing valuable insights for developing safety guidelines for such spaces.