An experimental study of the effects of surface openings on air flow caused by wind in courtyard buildings

Vildan Ok, Enes Yasa*, Mustafa Özgunler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

One of the modifications to increase the ventilation performance of buildings with courtyards is to create cavities to convey the air horizontally in the courtyard by the wind. This also decreases the cooling load, indirectly, in temperate or hot-humid climates. This study examines and attempts to explain the effects imposed by openings created in the architectural mass of courtyard buildings upon the velocities of airflows within such courtyards. The research was conducted through tests in a wind tunnel. The results from this study indicate that for buildings containing openings arranged in configurations different from those of courtyard buildings, openings located on perpendicular surfaces increase the velocities of airflows within courtyards in proportion to their dimensions and positions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)263-268
Number of pages6
JournalArchitectural Science Review
Volume51
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Air movement
  • Building climate
  • Courtyards
  • Natural ventilation
  • Passive cooling
  • Wind effects

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