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Analysis of traditional windcatchers and the effects produced by changing the size, shape, and position of the outlet opening

Varela-Boydo, C.A., Moya, S.L., Watkins, R. (2021) Analysis of traditional windcatchers and the effects produced by changing the size, shape, and position of the outlet opening. Journal of Building Engineering, 33 . Article Number 101828. E-ISSN 2352-7102. (doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101828) (KAR id:83353)

Abstract

Increased thermal comfort in buildings is consuming large amounts of energy around the world, especially in hot arid and semi-arid regions. Finding and adapting ways to naturally cool buildings should be a priority for researchers in the subject. For centuries the Middle East cultures have used wind towers to cool their buildings and they have proved to be a cost-effective, easy to implement and reliable solution for passive cooling that requires almost negligible energy to operate. The present work tests one traditional windcatcher and 33 modifications of the design of the outlet opening. It seeks to act as a guide to how both to enhance and also avoid reducing performance when designing windcatchers with traditional designs. Using CFD modelling, the volumetric airflow that was captured by the catcher was computed for the different outlet modifications, and this revealed which designs restrain the flow and which boost the airflow, making the wind towers more effective.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101828
Uncontrolled keywords: Wind towers Passive cooling Natural ventilation Windcatchers Badgir
Subjects: T Technology > TH Building construction
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Depositing User: Richard Watkins
Date Deposited: 12 Oct 2020 08:39 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 21:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/83353 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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