CFD simulation of natural ventilation in urban buildings due to wind effect

Abstract

Previous studies regarding natural ventilation in buildings were mostly limited to isolated buildings. Considering an urban context, this study investigates the wind-induced single-sided natural ventilation in buildings near a long street canyon under a perpendicular wind direction using CFD method. Four aspect ratios (AR) of the street canyon, from 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 to 6.0, are investigated to examine the influence of street configuration. Ventilation rate of rooms in buildings is analyzed. AR influences ventilation rate and its distribution among rooms along height of buildings. The percentage decrease of ventilation rate of buildings reaches 67% when AR of a street canyon is increased from 1.0 to 6.0. The findings of this study are intended to increase the understanding of natural ventilation performance in urban buildings.