Opening Performance Simulation in Natural Ventilation using Design Builder (Case Study: A Residential Home in Rasht)

Wind is known as one of the most mature renewable energies which reduces cooling energy in buildings and improves indoor air quality. Natural ventilation is one of solutions to prevent humidity disposal from the interior of the home. The shape and pattern of the air flow inside a room are influenced by two factors: the wind and the pressure difference caused by the temperature difference. Wind is taken into account in this study. Natural ventilation was studied using computerized simulation and the comparison of results in two sections. In the first section, bilateral ventilation simulation was performed in a residential apartment complex. In the second section, one-way ventilation was studied in the bedroom. The results indicate that both simulations require a driving force, which is wind, in order to have optimal mode and maximum wind circulation in the interior space. This wind can be supplied by architectural elements. Given that natural ventilation has not been much taken into account in recent years in Iran and no design guideline has been taken into account for engineers in this regard, such studies can help designers to understand renewable energies. This would help informed designing based on clean energies in order to reach better ventilation. In this regard, wind simulation was performed using CFD model by Design Builder Version 4.5. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.