Mohd Farid Mohamed

Computational Analysis of Wind-Driven Natural Ventilation in a Two Sided Rectangular Wind Catcher

Abstract Wind catchers are natural ventilation systems attached to buildings in order to ventilate the indoor air. In order to design and evaluate the performance of wind catchers, as a natural ventilation system, an accurate CFD simulation of indoor airflow and outdoor wind flow is fundamental. It is widely known that there are a large number of computational parameters influencing CFD simulations. Consequently, comprehensive sensitivity analyses of the effect of these parameters on the simulation results are essential to provide guidance for the evaluation of a CFD study. According to the literature review carried out, a wide generic sensitivity study for the CFD simulation of natural ventilation in wind catchers is highly required. This paper presents a series of 3D steady RANS simulations for a generic isolated two-sided wind catcher attached to a room subjected to wind directions ranging from 0° to 90° with an interval of 15°. The CFD simulations are validated with detailed wind tunnel experiments. The influence of an extensive range of computational parameters is explored in this paper, including the resolution of the computational grid, the size of the computational domain, the turbulence model and the order of the discretization scheme.

THE EFFECTS OF BALCONIES ON THE NATURAL VENTILATION PERFORMANCE OF CROSS-VENTILATED HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

ABSTRACT Natural ventilation performance can be influenced by various factors, including facade treatments such as balconies. Balconies have been commonly incorporated into residential buildings for various purposes, yet the provision of a balcony as a passive design strategy to improve natural ventilation is not one of its common purposes. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of balcony design on the natural ventilation performance of cross-ventilated high-rise apartments. This study uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models to predict ventilation performance. CFD models are selected because of their accuracy, flexibility and ability to provide comprehensive data for the investigation. This study suggests that balconies in high-rise apartments could improve the ventilation performance of high-rise apartments, but that balconies can also have a negative impact on ventilation performance if not appropriately designed. Finally, this study suggests that balconies could improve the le...

The Potential of Natural Ventilation in Single-Sided Ventilated Apartment to Improve Indoor Thermal Comfort and Air Quality

Cross ventilation is a more effective ventilation strategy in comparison to single-sided ventilation. In the NSW Residential Flat Design Code1 (RFDC) the majority of apartments are required to adopt cross ventilation. However, in the case of studio and one-bedroom apartments, it is acknowledged that single-sided ventilation may prevail. Deep plan studio and one-bedroom apartments may achieve lower amenity of summer thermal comfort and indoor air quality where mechanical ventilation is not provided by air conditioning. Since compliance with the code may allow up to 40% of apartments in a development in Sydney to be single sided, it is important to understand the natural ventilation performance of such apartments. The objective of this paper is to investigate the natural ventilation potential in single-sided ventilated apartments to improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort. This investigation includes simulating various facade treatments involving multiple opening and balcony configurations. Balcony configurations are included in this study because, in Sydney, a balcony is a compulsory architectural element in any apartment building. The study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to simulate and predict the ventilation performance of each apartment configuration. This study suggests that properly configured balconies and openings can significantly improve indoor ventilation performance for enhanced indoor air quality and thermal comfort, by optimizing the available prevailing wind. However, it is important to note that inappropriately designed facade treatments also could diminish natural ventilation performance.Copyright

Review of Building Energy Efficiency in the Hot and Humid Climate of Malaysia

Globally, environmental concerns and the progressively increasing high cost of energy have resulted in renewed interest in alternative forms of energy conservation and efficiency. The aim of this study is to describe various energy policies that the government of Malaysia has been adopted in order to ensure long-term reliability and security of energy supply for sustainable social economic development in the country. Improved living standards in developing nations have led to higher demand for energy, which requires nations to review their energy efficient strategies. While a significant portion of the total primary energy is consumed by buildings in developed nations, developing nations like Malaysia are proactively addressing the energy consumption issue. This review describes the standards and energy efficient codes for buildings, introduces low-energy building concepts and provides information on energy consumption of buildings in Malaysia. Alternative energy options like biomass, solar, wind and mini-hydro energy to ensure reliable, sustainable and secure supplies of energy in this country are considered.

Building Energy Efficiency in Hot and Humid Climate

Residential and commercial buildings consume large percentage of annual energy consumption such as in lighting, ventilation and electrical equipment or appliances. Thus reducing its energy consumption may lead to reduction of energy need. The objectives of this paper are to discuss on the strategies for energy efficiency in buildings located in the hot and humid climates and to discuss current research on building’s energy efficiency. Malaysia has been selected as the case study. This article concludes that there are efforts by governmental and nongovernmental agencies to improve building’s energy efficiency, and there are many strategies and technologies available to be adopted in buildings for energy efficiency.