A new integrated design tool for naturally ventilated buildings part 1: ventilation model: Fid-Bau Portal

A new integrated design tool for naturally ventilated buildings part 1: ventilation model

Mathews, E.H. / Rousseau, P.G.

AbstractIn many cases natural ventilation may be sufficient to ensure acceptable comfort levels in occupied buildings. In these cases installation of energy-intensive active environmental control systems will not be necessary. This will result in considerable energy and cost savings and also indirectly in a reduced burden on the environment, since the use of energy is always associated with the production of waste materials.This paper describes the development of a new model to predict natural ventilation flow rates in buildings. The model employs a flow network where openings are represented by non-linear flow resistances. It accounts for both wind-induced pressures and pressures due to thermal forces. The model draws on a healthy balance between purely theoretical equations and empirical data. Simplified equations are derived through a synthesis of measured data obtained in boundary layer wind tunnel tests as well as from the literature. Tracer gas measurements show a good comparison between measured and predicted ventilation rates.The implementation of the new model into an integrated design tool for naturally ventilated buildings is discussed in Part 2 of this paper.