Computational Fluid Dynamics Coupled with Thermal Impact Model for Building Design

Thermal effects impact the flow around and within structures. This computational study assesses features that affect the heating and buoyancy, and thus, the resulting flow both internal and external to a building. Considerations include the importance of time of day, building materials, sky cover, etc. on the local thermal heating of a passive solar building. Such impacts are assessed using full thermal coupling between a building energy simulation model and a computational fluid dynamics model, including the effects of thermal radiation, conduction, and convection to analyze the impact of all natural heating, cooling, and flow mechanisms for both the interior and exterior. Unique features such as Trombe walls add to heat transfer mechanisms. Analysis is made for three separate seasonal conditions.