Ryohei Kono

A Wind Tunnel Experimental Analysis of the Ventilation Characteristics of a Room with Single-Sided Opening in Uniform Flow

Abstract Wind-induced cross ventilation is one of the key technologies for saving energy while controlling the indoor environment, and seems to be a crucial element of any sustainable building policy. However, it is sometimes difficult to arrange openings on two sides for cross ventilation of a room. In buildings in built-up areas, many rooms only have openings on a single side. Since the airflow rate for a single-sided opening is much lower than that for two-sided openings, it is important to study how we can increase the airflow rate for a single-sided opening using either passive or active techniques. In this study, the characteristics of wind-induced ventilation with single-sided openings were analysed through wind tunnel experiments. In some experimental cases, a small object was attached to the opening in order to increase the airflow rate. (It was assumed that this object replicated a pivoted window whose vertical axis was in the centre of the window.) In other experimental cases, circulation flow was artificially induced in the room used in the experimental model in order to increase the airflow rate. A synergistic effect from the fresh air entering through the opening was expected with the circulation.