Numerical study of effects of Shavadoon connections (a vernacular architectural pattern) on improvement of natural ventilation

Abstract

Architects and engineers working in different climatic conditions have come up with many new ideas to adapt with nature. In so doing, they have managed to construct environmentally friendly buildings that can provide the required cooling/heating without using nonrenewable energies. Shavadoon is one such building. Constructed at a depth of 5–12 m below ground level, this structure takes advantage of the high thermal capacity of soil to provide thermal comfort conditions, thus helping the inhabitants of the building to escape the exhausting heat during summer. Tals (structural elements used in Shavadoons) act as communication bridges for connecting neighboring Shavadoons. As a first step in this study, two separate Shavadoons were simulated. Then, the effect of Tals and the effect of communication methods on ventilation velocity were studied. The results showed that adding a Tal could reduce the existing vortices around the stairway, thus increasing the inlet flow rate by 57%. Adding a second Tal and connecting the two Shavadoons via two Tals, while not affecting the overall flow rate, created an even flow rate distribution through the Tals. Tal length also influenced the flow rate: increasing the length of the Tals caused the flow rate through them to decrease.