Towards a Computational Fluid Dynamics-Based Fuzzy Logic Controller of the Optimum Windcatcher Internal Design for Efficient Natural Ventilation in Buildings

Abstract

Recently, increased attention has been given to the coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the fuzzy logic control system for obtaining the optimum prediction of many complex engineering problems. The data provided to the fuzzy system can be obtained from the accurate computational fluid dynamics of such engineering problems. Windcatcher performance to achieve thermal comfort conditions in buildings, especially in hot climate regions, is considered as one such complex problem. Windcatchers can be used as natural ventilation and passive cooling systems in arid and windy regions in Saudi Arabia. Such systems can be considered as the optimum solution for energy-saving and obtaining thermal comfort in residential buildings in such regions. In the present paper, three-dimensional numerical simulations for a newly-developed windcatcher model have been performed using ANSYS FLUENT-14 software. The adopted numerical algorithm is first validated against previous experimental measurements for pressure coefficient distribution. Different turbulence models have been firstly applied in the numerical simulations, namely, standard k-epsilon model (1st and 2nd order), standard Wilcox k-omega model (1st and 2nd order), and SST k-omega model. In order to assess the accuracy of each turbulence model in obtaining the performance of the proposed model of the windcatcher system, it is found that the second order k-epsilon turbulence model gave the best results when compared with the previous experimental measurements. A new windcatcher internal design is proposed to enhance the ventilation performance. The fluid dynamics characteristics of the proposed model are presented, and the ventilation performance of the present model is estimated. The numerical velocity profiles showed good agreement with the experimental measurements for the turbulence model. The obtained results have shown that the second order k-epsilon turbulence can predict the different important parameters of the windcatcher model. Moreover, the coupling algorithm of CFD and the fuzzy system for obtaining the optimum operating parameters of the windcatcher design are described.

Effect of Linear Building Blocks on the Wind Environment of Streets between High-Rise Buildings

“…In 2008, the Architectural Institute of Japan proposed that the surrounding sea breeze could be used to introduce the ventilation corridors of the city, and led to different utilization modes. For example, the streets and buildings distributed in the city can be arranged in order from high to low, or in a staggered method (Balabel, Faizan et al, 2021).…”

Numerical Study on Natural Ventilation Characteristics of a Partial-Cylinder Opening for One-Sided-Windcatcher of Variable Air-Feeding Orientations in Taif, Saudi Arabia

“…Windcatchers of different structures are mounted on the roof of a building and can be utilized to provide the indoor zones with natural fresh air [4][5][6][7][8]. Saudi Arabia has more windy and arid regions, especially in Taif city, so windcatchers can be implemented to protect the residents from the hostile environment by supplying them with free ventilated air [9,10]. Initially, the idea of natural ventilation was introduced using a four-sided windcatcher model for a building.…”

“…Increasing the number of inlet openings leads to decreasing the ventilation rate [14]. Moreover, huge flow separation and aerodynamic losses appeared at the inlet opening of sharp edges (flat surface) of different windcatcher models by [9][10][11][12][13] and [17]. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the windcatcher with the wind direction decreased with the increase in the number of the inlet openings [14].…”

Avaliação de estratégias de ventilação natural para salas de aula em clima subtropical úmido

“…O modelo k-Epsilon é de primeira ordem, portanto resolve duas equações de fluxo. Modelos de segunda ordem apresentam altas exigências computacionais, além de aumentarem o tempo de processamento em mais de três vezes, o que limita sua aplicação(FIGUEIREDO, 2008;MOUSA et al, 2017;BALABEL;FAIZAN;ALZAED, 2021;GUPTA;KHARE, 2021).Quanto às variáveis de saída, no módulo CFX-Post, foram exportados valores de velocidade do ar (m/s) e de Cp do vento nas janelas. Para o cálculo do Cp, conforme Amaral (2017), houve a inserção da Equação 6 no CFX-Post.…”