Extract

Different opening configurations for a double skin façade (DSF) integrated in a tall building are
investigated in terms of flow characteristics within the cavity of the DSF using CFD simulations. The main issue of naturally ventilated DSF in warm climates is cavity overheating risk which can be alleviated by means of airflow enhancement in the system’s cavity. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of lateral openings in DSF. This research goes a step further, by addressing the impact of front openings number on external skin of DSF. Four case studies are assessed; lateral openings only, one, three and five front openings. The results show that applying openings on external skin could double the average air velocity along the cavity compared to the case with lateral openings. In perpendicular wind direction, increasing the front openings number could be effective just in low wind condition while in different wind speeds, one central opening outperforms other cases in terms of cavity airflow uniformity and velocity. Therefore, by optimizing DSF openings for different building heights and wind directions, DSF with front openings can be introduced as an adapted classification for DSF in warm climates which is capable of improving cavity natural ventilation.

Keywords: Double Skin Facade (DSF); Wind-driven airflow; Cavity openings; CFD.

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