Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural e-ISSN: 2581-9046

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Comparative Analysis of Openings Formation Effect on the Building

Natural Ventilations
Susan Abed Hassan*1, Ebtisam Sami M. Saleh2
1
Department of Architectural Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
2
Building Research Directorate, Ministry of construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works, Baghdad,
Iraq

*Corresponding Author: suzana302002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT effect of the following factors was measured:

Previous studies focused on the importance of
natural ventilation as a strategy that reduces
energy for cooling purpose and improve thermal
comfort in buildings from several aspects, but
the study of openings design formation impacts
on natural ventilations for building in Iraq hot
climate had not been addressed yet, which is the
main research problem. In this paper a
comparative analysis several options of openings
design formation were selected to assets its effect
on the natural ventilations. ANSYS simulation
program adopted to estimate the air velocity for
each tested case and compared accordingly. The
results for natural ventilations indicated most
efficient ratio of opening to wall area is 25%.
And the finest ratio for the opening to space
area is 4.8%. Also best opening positions, where
the two openings perpendicular in a space.
Keywords-- ANSYS simulation, Iraq hot climate,
natural ventilations
INTRODUCTION
Last decades global average temperature
increased for all the world cities. That leads to the
problem of rising needs for cooling energy for
residential buildings [1]. There were a lack in the
environmental aspects to achieve thermal comfort
in contemporary architecture; the buildings were
exposed to hot summer sun, which causes raised
indoor temperatures. To ease the heat in buildings,
residents use air-conditioning that provided a
thermal comfort. That leads to environmental,
health, and economic problems. Therefore, the
architectural design of buildings, especially
residential buildings, is important in achieving the
thermal comfort. One of the main strategies to
achieve thermal comfort is the natural ventilations.
Recent literatures studied the effect of natural
ventilations on thermal comfort and reduced
cooling energy. Donghyun et. al, investigated the
effect of natural ventilation on energy consumption
and associated costs in relation to the thermal
conditioning of the external air used to ventilate a
building in a tropical climate (Singapore) [2]. The
outdoor air temperature, humidity, ventilation rate
(L/s per person), indoor air temperature and
humidity as well as electricity costs, energy
consumption and total cost. The results indicated
that dehumidification from outside air required
more than 80% of the energy needed for
ventilation, and that improved system performance
and a small increase in indoor temperature allowed
for relatively large ventilation rates (25 L/s per
person) with a small or no increase in cost. The
results also indicated that the energy cost
associated with increasing the ventilation rate (in a
hot tropical climate) to (25 liters/second per
person) was less than 1% of the wages of a worker
in an advanced economy such as Singapore.
Francis et. al, Studied the effect of natural
ventilation in residential buildings [3]. The
methodology included predicting both the wind
pressure on the openings in the building facade
using the CFD simulation program and the natural
ventilation rate using the air flow and buoyancy
simulation model, as well as predicting the energy
required for air conditioning. The study also
includes a statistical method to deal with random
variations in wind speed and direction. The
approach had been applied to assess the
performance of natural ventilation on a typical
public housing complex widely used in Hong
Kong, before and after the integration of wind
wings into the front of the building (wind wing
walls) and by increase the separation distances
between the building units by 25% and 50%. The
simulation results showed that the use of natural
ventilation can help reduce energy consumption for
air conditioning in residential buildings by about
24% compared to non-use of natural ventilation.
The integration of wind wings into the front of the
building can save only 1%. The energy savings due
to the increase in separation distances between
building units by 25% and 50% were lower. RA
González et. al, studied the effect of natural
ventilation on reducing energy consumption in
common models of apartments in Madrid [4]. A
statistical study was conducted for these
apartments, which allows to study the direction and
speed of the wind in the area and to conduct a wind
pressure analysis in the openings of the facades of
buildings through the fluid flow simulation

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program (CFD) to derive the required natural
ventilation rate and within the standards policy.
The results showed that natural ventilation can be
very effective in achieving optimal thermal
comfort, which leads reduction in air conditioning
and an increase in saving by 13% in relation to the
total use of energy for cooling purposes. Hirano et.
al, studied minimize thermal load for buildings in
hot and humid climate by study the effect of spaces
between residential buildings on the performance
of natural ventilation and thus on the cooling load
[5]. 50% were analyzed and simulated through
CFD and Thermal and airflow analysis. The results
indicated that improved natural ventilation
performance and reduced cooling load. Jamal A. J.
et al., studied the effect of wind catcher for house
building by use the simulation program (CFD), in
Iraq climate the results showed of research showed
that it increased the airflow by 1.5-3.5 m/s,
minimize temperature by 14℃, and relative
humidity improved to 24% [6]. From the previous
literatures it can concluded that research problem is
that no obvious awareness for the study of the
effect of the openings design formation impacts on
natural ventilations in residential buildings.
Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation refers to the process of
replacing indoor air with fresh air from outside by
natural ways [7]. Buildings natural ventilation is
essential for human well-being, health and vitality.
The importance of it lies in the fact that it does not
use fossil fuels, so natural ventilation has no
negative impact on the environment (such as air
pollution and global warming) or on human health
(in terms of air quality and sound effect), costs
construction and operation. It is efficient and easy
to use in many types of buildings such as
residential and administrative, as well as the
possibility of individual control provides comfort
and satisfaction to the occupants of the building
[8]. The disadvantage of natural ventilation is the
wind random nature and direction. This means that
it is not possible to guarantee a stable internal
environment based on natural ventilation compared
Table1: The monthly average temperatures for Baghdad based on.
Month T Tmax
January 6.4
February 6 19.7
March 11.8
April 16.2
May 22.1
June 24.8
July 27.1
August 27.4
September 23.1
Octuber 17.4
November 9.5
December 7.9
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to the stability of mechanical ventilation [9], as
well as the unreliability of natural ventilation in
some types of buildings such as buildings with
deep blueprints or buildings that require high
control over the quality of the environment. The
interior, such as hospitals, is also linked to the issue
of security and safety. Natural ventilation needs to
be designed and cannot be added later. If the
building is properly designed, all these benefits can
be achieved. It's associated with the climatic
specificity of the region [10]. In hot, dry climate
when daytime air temperature is greater than
buildings envelop, heat is transferred from the air
to the body and at the same time promotes the
evaporation of the cooling surface of the skin. It is
highly dependent on air humidity and the level of
physical activity of a person and clothing [11]. The
speed of air velocity is variable and correlated with
other variables of temperature and humidity to
sustain internal comfort. The air velocity required
for thermal comfort increases with increasing air
temperature due to the need to achieve the same
cooling effect that can be obtained if there are few
differences between the body and the ocean. This
relationship continues until the temperature of the
skin and air is equal, and this is achieved at a
temperature below 33° C without considering
humidity, clothing or low air movement during the
performance of certain actions. When the
temperatures range 33-37° C, air velocity have no
considerably affected on thermal comfort. At
temperatures 37° C and above the increased in air
velocity raise the sensation of heat [12].
Iraq climate
Iraq is situated in latitudes between (29-
37°N), classified according climate properties as a
hot dry climate. The average monthly temperatures
for Baghdad the capital of Iraq are shown in Table
1. Air velocity differs from season to another. The
highest recorded in July (4 m/s) while it lower in
November (2.5 m/s) in the fall season, the average
wind speed (3.1m/s). The frequent wind direction is
the Northwest and Western wind.
Tmin
16.4 11.2
12.9
25.6 18.7
31.5 24.4
38.1 30.6
41.8 34.1
44 36.4
45.2 37.2
40.3 32.2
32.6 25.1
23.2 16.2
19.8 13.6
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Method
The research modeling depended on
hypothetical different openings design formations
for a space model and data analysis using the
ANSYS program an analytical computer program,
dedicated to solving linear and non-linear issues
for: structural mechanics, fluid mechanics,
phonetics, thermodynamics, tensile electricity and
conventional electromagnetism, the program was
used in many researches to measure air movement
at the city and building levels, as the program
identifies potential areas of wind discomfort to
make urban environments safe and comfortable in
and around buildings. The tested space sample
dimensions are (5 m * 4 m), and the height of space
3 m. The constructions of walls are from bricks and
roof of reinforced concrete. The air speed is 3.1 m/s
as the average air speed according to Iraq average
wind speed. A zero air velocity was adopted for the
Table 2: Shown tested group cases for the openings design formations (A, B, and C).
A Group cases B Group cases
Case A1 Case B1
Case A2 Case B2
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rear walls, assuming no air speed due to its
association with other spaces within the individual
residential building. According to the following
virtual cases:
1. Two opposite openings in the space, where
the proportions of the front opening area were
changed according the wall area (15%, 20%,
25%, 30% and 35%) with a height of one
meter from the ground of the floor, and a
length of 1.2 meters.
2. Two opposite openings in the same direction
that occupy different floor area ratios (1.2%,
3.2%, 4.8%, 6.4%) with rear openings
dimensions installed to stabilize the test
conditions.
3. Change the positions of the openings within
the walls of the space so that (opposite,
perpendicular to different patterns) and the
same dimensions of openings. Each of the
tested cases is shown in Table 2.
C Group cases
Case C1
Case C2
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Case A3 Case B3 Case C3

Case A4 Case B4 Case C4

Case A5

Results shown in Appendix 1, for A group
cases that the change in the ratio of the openings
area to the area of the front wall had contributed to
changing the air velocity within the space for each
tested cases as shown in Table 3. The
programmatic representation showed that the best
proportion of natural ventilation was the case in
which the ratio of openings area to the wall equal
25% than the case of 30%. The fastest air velocity
ratios were near the rear openings of the space, as
shown in Fig. 1 the graphical representation of the
air velocity of selected points within space.

Appendix A

Case A5 Case A4 Case A3 Case A2 Case A1

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Case B4 Case B3 Case B2 Case B1

Case C4 Case C3 Case C2 Case C1

Table 3: The air velocity (m/s) within the space for each of the tested A group cases.
Points Case A1 Case A2 Case A3 Case A4 Case A5
P1 0.6 0.4 1.8 3.2 3
P2 2.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P3 2.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P4 0.6 0.4 1.8 3.2 3
P5 0.6 0.4 3.5 3.2 3
P6 2.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P7 2.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P8 0.6 0.4 3.5 3.2 3
P9 0.6 0.4 3.5 3.2 3
P10 2.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P11 0.6 3 3.5 3.2 3
P12 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.2 3
P13 0.6 0.4 3.5 3.2 3
P14 2.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P15 1.5 3 3.5 3.2 3
P16 0.6 0.4 3.5 3.2 3
P17 1.5 1.8 1.8 0.9 0.5
P18 1.5 3 4 4 5
P19 1.5 3 4 4 5
P20 1.5 1.8 1.8 0.9 0.5
Total 29.8 38.9 64.2 61 59

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Group A
3

0
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Air velocity of selected points

Figure 1: The air velocity (m/s) within the space for each of the tested A group cases.

For B group cases results in Appendix A
showed that the change in ratio of the openings
area to the total space area had contributed in
changing the air velocity within space for each of
the tested cases as shown in Table 4. The
programmatic representation showed that the best
ratio of natural ventilation was the third case,
where the ration of the openings area to the area of
a space was 4.8%. The fastest air velocity ratios
were near the rear openings of the space, as shown
in Fig. 2 the graphical representation of the air
velocity of selected points within space.

Table 4: The air velocity (m/s) within the space for each of the tested B group cases.
Points Case B1 Case B2 Case B3 Case B4
P1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P2 1.3 2 3 2.5
P3 1.3 2 3 2.5
P4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P5 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P6 1.3 1.8 2.5 2.5
P7 1.3 0.2 2.5 2.5
P8 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P9 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P10 1.3 1.8 2.5 2.5
P11 1.3 1.8 2.5 2.5
P12 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P13 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P14 1.3 1.8 2.5 2.5
P15 1.3 1.8 2.5 2.5
P16 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
P17 1.5 0.2 0.3 0.4
P18 1.5 1.8 3 2.5
P19 1.5 1.8 3 2.5
P20 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
Total 18.6 18.8 30 29

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3.5

2.5

Group B
1.5

0.5

0
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Air velocity of selected points

Figure 2: The air velocity (m/s) within the space for each of the tested B group cases.

Results shown Appendix 1, for C group
cases that the position of the two openings within
the space walls had affected of the air velocity
within space for each of the tested cases as shown
in Table 5. Programmatic representation showed
that the best air velocity was the fourth case, where
the two openings were perpendicular. The fastest
air velocity ratios are near the front opening of
space, as shown in Fig. 3 the graphical
representation of the air velocity of selected points
within space.

Table 5: The air velocity within the space for each of the tested C group cases.
Points Case C1 Case C2 Case C3 Case C4
P1 0.2 0.4 1.5 0.7
P2 2 2.4 1.7 1.8
P3 2 2.4 1.9 2.5
P4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.7
P5 0.2 0.2 1.5 0.7
P6 1.8 2.4 2.4 1.8
P7 0.2 2.5 1.9 2.4
P8 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.4
P9 0.2 0.2 1.5 0.7
P10 1.8 2.4 1.7 1.8
P11 1.8 1.5 1.7 2.4
P12 0.2 0.2 0.1 1.4
P13 0.2 0.2 0.7 1.4
P14 1.8 2 1.7 1.8
P15 1.8 1.5 1.7 2.3
P16 0.2 0.2 0.3 1.4
P17 0.2 0.4 0.3 2
P18 1.8 1.6 0.8 1.7
P19 1.8 0.2 1.8 1.9
P20 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.4
Total 18.8 21.3 24.7 32.2

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2.5

Group C
1.5

0.5

0
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Air velocity of selected points

Figure 3: The air velocity within the space for each of the tested C group cases.

CONCLUSION insulation of building Envelop in a hot climate

The results showed that according
ANSYS program simulation for a sample tested
room, the most efficient openings design formation
on increasing air velocity and natural ventilations
for residential buildings in Iraq hot climate are as
below cases:-
 The ratio of openings area is equal to 25% to
the total front wall area.
 The openings area ratio to space area is 4.8%.
 Maximum air velocity according to openings
positions, where the two openings
perpendicular in a space.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was supported by Building Research
Directorate/ Ministry of Construction, Housing,
Municipalities and Public Works in Baghdad. We
thank our colleagues Professor Dr. Miqdad Haidar
Al-Jawadi who provided insight and expertise that
greatly assisted the research.
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