Characteristics of pressure distribution and solution to the problems caused by stack effect in high-rise residential buildings

Abstract

This paper shows the characteristics of pressure distribution caused by stack effect in high-rise residential buildings and proposes solutions for stack effect problems during the cold season. First, field measurements were conducted in two high-rise residential buildings in Korea to understand the characteristics of pressure difference and problems due to stack effect. Next, several high-rise residential buildings were simulated to confirm these characteristics and problems. From the field measurements and simulation results, the Thermal Draft Coefficients varied from 0.20 to 0.49. These values meant that most of the stack pressure difference in high-rise residential buildings acted on interior partitions rather than on exterior walls, so that serious problems due to large pressure differentials can occur on the inside of the building. The separation method which includes installing ‘air-lock doors’ between the elevator core area and residential area, is proposed to solve the pressure difference problems.