The potential of natural ventilation in single-sided ventilated apartment to improve indoor thermal comfort and air quality

M. F. Mohamed, M. Behnia, S. King, D. Prasad

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cross ventilation is a more effective ventilation strategy in comparison to single-sided ventilation. In the NSW Residential Flat Design Code1 (RFDC) the majority of apartments are required to adopt cross ventilation. However, in the case of studio and one-bedroom apartments, it is acknowledged that single-sided ventilation may prevail. Deep plan studio and one-bedroom apartments may achieve lower amenity of summer thermal comfort and indoor air quality where mechanical ventilation is not provided by air conditioning. Since compliance with the code may allow up to 40% of apartments in a development in Sydney to be single sided, it is important to understand the natural ventilation performance of such apartments. The objective of this paper is to investigate the natural ventilation potential in single-sided ventilated apartments to improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort. This investigation includes simulating various facade treatments involving multiple opening and balcony configurations. Balcony configurations are included in this study because, in Sydney, a balcony is a compulsory architectural element in any apartment building. The study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to simulate and predict the ventilation performance of each apartment configuration. This study suggests that properly configured balconies and openings can significantly improve indoor ventilation performance for enhanced indoor air quality and thermal comfort, by optimizing the available prevailing wind. However, it is important to note that inappropriately designed façade treatments also could diminish natural ventilation performance.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationES 2011
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages71-78
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9780791854686
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2011 - Washington, DC, United States
Duration: 7 Aug 201110 Aug 2011

Other

OtherASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, DC
Period7/08/1110/08/11

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