For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East ... more For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East and Mediterranean basin due to its thermal advantages, structural benefits and availability of construction materials. This article presents the computational modelling of the wind-and buoyancy-induced ventilation in a geodesic dome building in a hot climate. The airflow and temperature distributions and ventilation flow rates were predicted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations were solved using the CFD tool ANSYS FLUENT15. The standard k-epsilon was used as turbulence model. The modelling was verified using grid sensitivity and flux balance analysis. In order to validate the modelling method used in the current study, additional simulation of a similar domed-roof building was conducted for comparison. For wind-induced ventilation, the dome building was modelled with upper roof vents. For buoyancy-induced ventilation, the geometry was modelled with roof vents and also with two windows open in the lower level. The results showed that using the upper roof openings as a natural ventilation strategy during winter periods is advantageous and could reduce the indoor temperature and also introduce fresh air. The results also revealed that natural ventilation using roof vents cannot satisfy thermal requirements during hot summer periods and complementary cooling solutions should be considered. The analysis showed that buoyancy-induced ventilation model can still generate air movement inside the building during periods with no or very low wind.
For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East ... more For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East and Mediterranean basin due to its thermal advantages, structural benefits and availability of construction materials. This article presents the computational modelling of the wind-and buoyancy-induced ventilation in a geodesic dome building in a hot climate. The airflow and temperature distributions and ventilation flow rates were predicted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations were solved using the CFD tool ANSYS FLUENT15. The standard k-epsilon was used as turbulence model. The modelling was verified using grid sensitivity and flux balance analysis. In order to validate the modelling method used in the current study, additional simulation of a similar domed-roof building was conducted for comparison. For wind-induced ventilation, the dome building was modelled with upper roof vents. For buoyancy-induced ventilation, the geometry was modelled with roof vents and also with two windows open in the lower level. The results showed that using the upper roof openings as a natural ventilation strategy during winter periods is advantageous and could reduce the indoor temperature and also introduce fresh air. The results also revealed that natural ventilation using roof vents cannot satisfy thermal requirements during hot summer periods and complementary cooling solutions should be considered. The analysis showed that buoyancy-induced ventilation model can still generate air movement inside the building during periods with no or very low wind.
Energy-conscious design as a concept can become devalued if natural lighting is not convincing. I... more Energy-conscious design as a concept can become devalued if natural lighting is not convincing. In fact, day lighting can address both quantitative (provision of task luminance, savings in artificial lighting, passive heat gain) and qualitative (indication of spaces' mood, time/duration of exposure, metabolic rhythms) factors of a sustainable design. This paper evaluates the performance characteristics of applied strategies to meet the quantitative responsibilities of natural lighting in the Law court of Antwerp, constructed with environmentally friendly approach. On the basis of observations and archival documents, the results show that the applied strategies e.g. window, atrium and roof light for enhancement of day light penetration and distribution, besides usage of shading devices e.g. brise soleil and overhangs for protecting the spaces from intense sunlight have both advantages and disadvantages. Further, the potentials to relieve the deficiencies are discussed.
This article investigates the performance of an innovative hybrid ventilation system applied to a... more This article investigates the performance of an innovative hybrid ventilation system applied to a secondary school classroom subject to current and future U.K. (London) climate data. The resilience of the occupied space with regards to the limiting of summertime internal air temperatures is evaluated for both thermally lightweight and heavyweight building envelope constructions. The proprietary building dynamic simulation software IES-ve was used for all simulation work and the results indicate that, in the current climate scenario, the hybrid ventilation system meets acceptable summertime overheating criteria in both heavyweight construction and lightweight construction. However, by 2030 only the thermally heavyweight construction met the same limiting temperature targets. Further, thermal comfort and the energy impact of increased thermal mass is discussed.
For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East ... more For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East and Mediterranean basin due to its thermal advantages, structural benefits and availability of construction materials. This article presents the computational modelling of the wind-and buoyancy-induced ventilation in a geodesic dome building in a hot climate. The airflow and temperature distributions and ventilation flow rates were predicted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations were solved using the CFD tool ANSYS FLUENT15. The standard k-epsilon was used as turbulence model. The modelling was verified using grid sensitivity and flux balance analysis. In order to validate the modelling method used in the current study, additional simulation of a similar domed-roof building was conducted for comparison. For wind-induced ventilation, the dome building was modelled with upper roof vents. For buoyancy-induced ventilation, the geometry was modelled with roof vents and also with two windows open in the lower level. The results showed that using the upper roof openings as a natural ventilation strategy during winter periods is advantageous and could reduce the indoor temperature and also introduce fresh air. The results also revealed that natural ventilation using roof vents cannot satisfy thermal requirements during hot summer periods and complementary cooling solutions should be considered. The analysis showed that buoyancy-induced ventilation model can still generate air movement inside the building during periods with no or very low wind.
For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East ... more For centuries, dome roofs were used in traditional houses in hot regions such as the Middle East and Mediterranean basin due to its thermal advantages, structural benefits and availability of construction materials. This article presents the computational modelling of the wind-and buoyancy-induced ventilation in a geodesic dome building in a hot climate. The airflow and temperature distributions and ventilation flow rates were predicted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations were solved using the CFD tool ANSYS FLUENT15. The standard k-epsilon was used as turbulence model. The modelling was verified using grid sensitivity and flux balance analysis. In order to validate the modelling method used in the current study, additional simulation of a similar domed-roof building was conducted for comparison. For wind-induced ventilation, the dome building was modelled with upper roof vents. For buoyancy-induced ventilation, the geometry was modelled with roof vents and also with two windows open in the lower level. The results showed that using the upper roof openings as a natural ventilation strategy during winter periods is advantageous and could reduce the indoor temperature and also introduce fresh air. The results also revealed that natural ventilation using roof vents cannot satisfy thermal requirements during hot summer periods and complementary cooling solutions should be considered. The analysis showed that buoyancy-induced ventilation model can still generate air movement inside the building during periods with no or very low wind.
Energy-conscious design as a concept can become devalued if natural lighting is not convincing. I... more Energy-conscious design as a concept can become devalued if natural lighting is not convincing. In fact, day lighting can address both quantitative (provision of task luminance, savings in artificial lighting, passive heat gain) and qualitative (indication of spaces' mood, time/duration of exposure, metabolic rhythms) factors of a sustainable design. This paper evaluates the performance characteristics of applied strategies to meet the quantitative responsibilities of natural lighting in the Law court of Antwerp, constructed with environmentally friendly approach. On the basis of observations and archival documents, the results show that the applied strategies e.g. window, atrium and roof light for enhancement of day light penetration and distribution, besides usage of shading devices e.g. brise soleil and overhangs for protecting the spaces from intense sunlight have both advantages and disadvantages. Further, the potentials to relieve the deficiencies are discussed.
This article investigates the performance of an innovative hybrid ventilation system applied to a... more This article investigates the performance of an innovative hybrid ventilation system applied to a secondary school classroom subject to current and future U.K. (London) climate data. The resilience of the occupied space with regards to the limiting of summertime internal air temperatures is evaluated for both thermally lightweight and heavyweight building envelope constructions. The proprietary building dynamic simulation software IES-ve was used for all simulation work and the results indicate that, in the current climate scenario, the hybrid ventilation system meets acceptable summertime overheating criteria in both heavyweight construction and lightweight construction. However, by 2030 only the thermally heavyweight construction met the same limiting temperature targets. Further, thermal comfort and the energy impact of increased thermal mass is discussed.
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