BSES 2335 Environmental Physics

Name: MUHAMAD SALMAN BIN MUHAMAD AZMI

Matrix No.: BEB090020
Lecturer: PN. NIK ELYNA MYEDA NIK MAT

Theories of Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation can be generated by two methods: by thermal force or buoyancy effect,
and by wind pressure force or wind-driven effect. Wind-driven natural ventilation is easier to
achieve because it only needs a low wind speed to create adequate indoor air velocities that
help people’s heat transfer by means of evaporation. The main purpose of natural ventilation
as a passive cooling strategy is to achieve high indoor air velocities with the air that has
appropriate temperature and relative humidity. Factors that influence these parameters can
generally be divided into two parts: outdoor environment and building component. It is
known that landscape elements such as trees and water bodies can reduce the air temperature
while hard-surface elements such as concrete grounds raise the air temperature.
According to Givoni, building components that affect natural ventilation include shape of the
building, geometrical configuration, orientation of opening, window size and type, and
subdivision of interior space.

Ventilation
Natural ventilation is the process of supplying and removing air through an indoor space by
natural means. There are two types of natural ventilation occurring in buildings: wind driven
ventilation and stack ventilation. The pressures generated by buoyancy, also known as 'the
stack effect', are quite low (typical values: 0.3 Pa to 3 Pa) while wind pressures are usually
far greater (~1 Pa to 35 Pa).

Stack Driven Ventilation

The stack effect used for high-rise natural ventilation

Stack effect is temperature induced. When there is a temperature difference between two
adjoining volumes of air the warmer air will have lower density and be more buoyant thus
will rise above the cold air creating an upward air stream. In order for a building to be
ventilated adequately via stack effect the inside and outside temperatures must be different so
that warmer indoor air rises and escapes the building at higher apertures, while colder, denser
air from the exterior enters the building through lower level openings.

Guidelines for Natural Ventilation

The important guidelines for planning and designing natural ventilation systems in buildings:
 • a natural ventilation system should be effective regardless of wind direction there
must be adequate ventilation even when wind does not blow from the prevailing
direction;
• Inlet and outlet openings should not be obstructed.
• windows should be located in opposing pressure zones
• a certain vertical distance should be kept between openings for temperature to
produce stack effect;
• openings at the same level and near the ceiling should be avoided since much of the
• to admit wind air flow, the long façade of the building and the door and window
openings should be oriented with respect to the prevailing wind direction;
• if possible, window openings should be accessible to and operable by occupants;
• If inlet and outlet openings are of nearly equal areas, balanced and greater ventilation
can be obtained.

Effectiveness of Natural Ventilation

Effectiveness of natural ventilation depends on several factors:
1. Wind strength and direction.
2. Size of openings.
3. Air temperatures.
4. Height of the building.

Wind Strength and Direction

Wind strength and direction influence the effectiveness of natural ventilation. This is because,
if the airflow is strong, the quantity of the air that will enter the building will increase. This
will help the ventilation rate in the building.
While for the direction, the design of the opening such as windows and doors must be
appropriate with the wind direction. This is to help increase the rate of ventilation in a space
or building. If the position is not appropriate with the wind direction, the ventilation may get
worse.

Size of Openings
Windows and doors act as the opening for some spaces or a building. It has quite a major
impact on the ventilation rate for a building. This is because, the bigger the size of openings
the better the ventilation rate of a building. The airflow is easily access into the building.
Other than windows and doors, the openings also include roof ventilators, skylights, vent
shafts, and so forth.

Air Temperature
Natural ventilation also depends on the air temperature of the inside and outside. Wind can
blow air through openings in the wall on the windward side of the building, and suck air out
of openings on the leeward side and the roof. Temperature differences between warm inside
air and cold outside air can cause the air in the room to rise and exit at the ceiling or ridge,
and enter via lower openings in the wall.
During the summer, natural ventilation depends primarily upon wind forces since
inside/outside temperature differences are small. Successful design of sidewall and ridge
openings and proper use of control systems therefore require a good understanding
particularly of wind effects.

Height of the Building

Height of the building also influences effectiveness of the natural ventilation. When the
building gets higher, the less effective the rate of natural ventilation. The idea of integrating
natural means of ventilation in high-rise buildings has not been proven to be effective,
especially in a hot-humid tropical climate. The lack of control, high external air temperature,
low quality external air, the lack of "high-tech" image which can be presented to the client,
and generally undesirable locations in urban centres could be the reasons why the possibility
of natural ventilation has been neglected.
The air that is moved through the exchange of indoor with "fresh" outdoor air can provide
cooling, and can also act as a heat carrying medium. These natural phenomena are quite
similar in both domestic low-rise and high-rise situations. However, in the case of high-rise
buildings, there are other additional factors which may influence the external air flow pattern.
Consequently, these will further modify the indoor air flow. The higher wind velocity in the
upper atmosphere could be utilised as one of the possible cooling methods for a tall building.
This natural phenomenon of gradient wind might be very useful, especially in a tropical
climate where the mean surface wind velocity is mild.
References
Lecture Notes Faculty of Architecture, University of Hong Kong
(http://www.arch.hku.hk/teaching/lectures/airvent/sect03.htm)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_ventilation)
Journal of Architectural/Planning Research and Studies Volume 5. Issue 1. 2007
Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University
Evaluation and Design of Natural Ventilation for Houses in Thailand
Assistant Professor Chalermwat Tantasavasdi, Daranee Jareemit, Anake Suwanchaiskul, and
Thitiporn Naklada