A numerical prediction of the passive cooling effects on thermal comfort for a historical building in Rome

Abstract

In recent times, numerical simulations are increasingly gaining ground for the energy saving and thermal comfort evaluation of historical buildings.In the present paper a transient 2D model of the Pavilion 2B of the Ex-Mattatoio (Past abattoir) in Rome is presented, created by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software based on the finite element method (FEM). The simulations take into account time variations and interactions between indoor and outdoor thermal conditions, with the aim of evaluating different usage profiles and of estimating passive cooling effects in presence of natural ventilation and high thermal masses.The main goal of this work is to show the CFD numerical models potential in quantifying the cooling effects and the indoor thermal comfort conditions, in order to enhance passive and hybrid strategies based on natural ventilation and nocturnal thermal masses precooling.