Investigation of Airflow Patterns Inside Tall Building

Maatouk      Khoukhi

doi:10.2174/187221209787259901

Abstract

The total pressure difference acting on a building as a result of stack action depends upon building height and the difference between temperatures inside and outside. It cannot be avoided, but the way in which it is distributed across the building enclosure and interior separations can be modified through design process because it depends upon the relative resistances to flow presented by the building components and the way in which they are distributed in the flow path. Air movement caused by stack action has many important implications related to the functional adequacy of buildings that should be recognized in both their design and operation. The tightness of architectural element that comprises a building is known to be the important parameters in minimizing the stack effect problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the airflow patterns and patents through the building enclosure of 19 floors during the winter period and evaluate the effect of the air-tightness of the exterior wall of the building on the air infiltration in the building.

Keywords: Stack effect, pressure, air infiltration, COMIS, simulation, airtightness of exterior wall, airflow pattern, tall building, buoyancy forces, exfiltration