Predicting wind-induced indoor air motion, occupant comfort, and cooling loads in naturally ventilated buildings

Thesis/Dissertation · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7166741

Ernest, D R

The primary goal of this study was to develop a design tool for the evaluation of the performance of naturally ventilated buildings using wind-induced indoor air motion for occupant cooling. The development of this tool was divided into two phases. First, an empirical model for the prediction of wind-induced indoor air motion in naturally ventilated buildings was developed. Second, a procedure coupling the empirical prediction method to a human comfort model and a building energy simulation program was formulated. The model was based on correlations developed from a large set of experimental pressure and velocity data collected from architectural models in a boundary layer wind tunnel. To develop this model, the approach used was to assess how, and to what extent, the information required for evaluation (indoor velocities and turbulence intensities) could be derived from knowledge already available to the designer (external surface pressure distributions measured on sealed models and simple building design variables). To do this, a large number of architectural configurations were investigated. Results indicated that, under certain conditions, improved thermal comfort and reduced cooling loads can be obtained.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7166741
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
AIR FLOW
ARCHITECTURE
BUILDINGS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
THERMAL COMFORT
VENTILATION