Field measurement and numerical investigation of natural cross-ventilation in high-rise buildings; Thermal comfort analysis

Abstract

The importance of climate change mitigation and energy efficiency as a growing global concern has intensified the development of techniques to reach and improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency of buildings. The study of the effect of the height of the openings on the internal natural airflow in one-story buildings can be found in many studies; However, studies on the effect of this important factor on providing thermal comfort in high-rise buildings equipped with DSF are not available. This paper focuses on natural-ventilated buildings based on wind-driven and buoyancy-driven forces. The aim of this study is to use passive strategies in high-rise office buildings in hot and dry climates. In this research, two methods of field studies and numerical modeling have been used in order to provide accurate results. In order to achieve optimal patterns in the design of natural-ventilated buildings; CFD simulation and PMV thermal comfort index have been used in the evaluation of various configurations. The results of the present study show that although the cooling energy demand in high-rise buildings in hot climates is high and the use of natural ventilation systems is beneficial, but these systems alone are not able to provide thermal comfort conditions. However, the accurate and correct location of the openings is effective in improving thermal comfort by increasing the volume flow.