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CFD simulation of ventilated air cavity.

Conference Paper · January 2008

DOI: 10.13140/2.1.2087.8408

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 Simulace budov a techniky prostředí 2008
5. konference IBPSA-CZ
Brno, 6. a 7. 11. 2008

CFD SIMULATION OF VENTILATED AIR CAVITY

Miloš Kalousek1, Ondřej Šikula2
1
Institute of Building Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology
2
Institute of Building Services, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology
e-mail: kalousek.m@fce.vutbr.cz

ABSTRACT
The aim of the paper is to show the possibilities of CFD modelling, and to evaluate ventilated air cavities (located mainly
in the floor). Using CFD software FLUENT (ANSYS), a model of ventilated air cavity 10 x 6 x 0.5 m has been created
where the calculated intensity of ventilation inside the cavity depends on wind velocity, air and ambient surface temperature,
and other boundary conditions. The results achieved in 3D simulation are represented by coloured temperature and velocity
fields, as well as schemes of floor structures.
Keywords: CFD modelling, reconstruction of masonry, air ventilated cavity

CFD SIMULACE PROVĚTRÁVANÉ VZDUCHOVÉ MEZERY

Příspěvek ukazuje možnosti CFD modelování a hodnocení větraných vzduchových mezer (vytvořených pod podlahami).
Pro modelování mezery o rozměrech 10 x 6 x 0.5 m byl využit CFD software FLUENT (ANSYS). Intenzita větrání mezery
byla závislá na rychlosti proudění větru a na okolních klimatických podmínkách. Detailní skladba modelované podlahy je
uvedena graficky a výsledky 3D simulace jsou barevně prezentovány formou teplotních a rychlostních polí.
Klíčová slova: CFD modelování, sanace zdiva, větraná vzduchová mezera

INTRODUCTION
VLYSY
WOOD- TL. 19 MM – 19 mm
PARKETS
Ventilated floor air cavity is frequently used in the CEMENTOVÝ
CONCRETE – POTĚR
50 mm- TL. 50 MM

Czech Republic to ventilate wet masonry, water HYDROIZOLACE

WATER PROOF FOILA 400 H
PĚNOVÝ POLYSTYRÉN
POLYSTYREN – 100 mm- TL. 100 MM
vapour and gas Radon, from the soil. ŽELEZOBETONOVÉ
R. CONCRETE SLABS DESKY
– 200- TL.
mm200 MM
According to the structure type, we can VZDUCHOVÁ
AIR CAVITY MEZERA
– 500 mm - TL. 500 MM
TERÉN
differentiate two systems: GROUND

i) a new ceiling - load bearing structure;

ii) a special shaped units IGLU.
The horizontal air cavity has to be designed on the
basis of the heat balance complying with the standard
ČSN 73 0540-2 Thermal protection of buildings [1].
Designing of load bearing structures of both types
as well as the thermal assessment are discussed in
detail e.g. in [2].

AIR CAVITY CREATED BY CEILING LOAD Fig. 1 – Example of horizontal ventilated air cavity
BEARING STRUCTURE below raised floor
The ceiling is created by a horizontal load bearing
structure, which can be made from reinforced WOOD PARKETS – 19 mm
CONCRETE – 50 mm
concrete slabs, wood beams (where wood has to be WATER PROOF FOIL

impregnated with a special painting), steel structures POLYSTYREN – 100 mm

CONCRETE SLABS – 200 mm
etc. These types of structures are suitable mainly for UNIT IGLU – 200 mm
historical buildings and buildings listed in the AIR CAVITY – 130 mm

database of national monuments of the Czech CONCRETE SLABS – 100 mm

GROUND
Republic. The ceiling has to respect the
characteristics of the historical building if applicable.
For the example of this type of floor cavity see
Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 – IGLU cavity made from recycled

polypropylene
THERMAL ASSESSMENT OF FLOOR AIR
CAVITY
The horizontal air cavity has to be designed on the
basis of the heat balance complying with the standard
ČSN 73 0540-2 on the Thermal protection of
buildings [1].
This paper deals with fluid dynamics and water
vapour condensation inside the air cavity solved in
accordance with the Czech standard ČSN 73 0540-
4:2005 [4] (and its older version). In order to design
the ventilation and water vapour condensation inside
floor the air cavity properly, a suitable computer
program (for example MEZERA 2007 [6]) has to be
applied for calculations. Fig. 3 – Plan of floor air cavity
Since a quarter of the year is windless under real
conditions, two cases have to be evaluated: External walls are built from perforated bricks
i) with influence of wind; Porotherm 44.
ii) without influence of wind (windless). Load bearing floor structure - reinforced concrete
slab th. 200 mm.
Having analysed several variants, we can design Thermal insulation layer (th. 200 mm -
an optimum height of the air cavity as well as the polystyrene) is placed on the load bearing structure
dimensions of ventilation holes (area, count). of the ceiling. Outside walls and floor structures
Ventilation inside the cavity has to be optimized, and comply with the standard CSN 730540-2:2007 [1].
the water vapour has to be led away to prevent Fluid dynamics inside the air cavity was
possible condensation. Condensation is allowable calculated for each wind velocity. Velocities of the
only in extreme climatic conditions. air that represent the half of the velocity of wind
The given method is suitable only for a simple corresponding to the measured data were applied on
shape of the cavity section – rectangular and without the inlet holes. Calculations were carried out with the
barriers, arches and other objects that cause pressure help of the computer software ANSYS – FLUENT,
losses. For very complicated shapes of the cavity for CFD analysis [5]. A 3D model of the air cavity is
with the existence of barriers, or for different kinds shown in the Fig. 4.
of ventilation systems such as chimney in the middle
of the cavity (building), or for variants with a self-
ventilation head on the top of chimney (Lomanco),
standard designs cannot be used. Here, calculation by
means of the CFD method (Computational Fluid
Dynamics) is very suitable.

EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION AIR CAVITY

BY CFD METHOD
A horizontal air cavity with the height of 500 mm
created by a ceiling slab with length of 15 m and
width of 6 m was used as an example. Inlet and outlet
vent holes with dimensions 200 mm x 200 mm were
situated in the axis of thee cavity (250 mm from the
bottom of the cavity). See Fig. 3. In calculations,
boundary conditions were applied according to the
standard ČSN 73 0540-3 [3] as follows: Fig. 4 – Computer model of the air floor cavity.
- External temperature of air θe = 15 °C, Boundary lines model
- Internal temperature of air θai = 21 °C,
- Temperature of soil (in the deep of 3 m) θgr = Results of calculations are shown in the Fig. 5, 6
5 °C, and 7. Fig. 5 shows a 2D field of velocity of the air in
- Velocity of wind flow perpendicular to façade w the axis section of a typical vent hole. Maximum air
= 0; 0,6; 2,4; 5,0 m.s-1. velocity in the inlet is 3,0 m/s, which corresponds to
6,0 m/s of wind velocity perpendicular to the facade.
 Fig. 7 – Four sections of typical vent holes (wind 0,6
Fig. 5 – Section of typical vent holes (wind 2,4 m/s), m/s), velocity of air flow (m/s)
velocity of air flow (m/s)
Fig. 6 demonstrates the thermal field for a typical
section. Immediately after the inlet hole, the air is
warmed up in contact with the ambient surfaces (heat
losses from the interior) and by convection and
mixing with the initially warmer air. This incoming
cold air influences the ambient structures (walls,
ceilings) and their lowest interior temperature
decreases by few kelvins. The usual thermal field of
the outside walls changes this way. Film coefficient
on the surface inside the cavity is higher, and the heat
transfer is more intensive than in the case with no
ventilation.
Fig. 8 – Typical vent holes (wind 2,4 m/s), velocity of
air flow (m/s)

Fig. 6 – Section of typical vent holes (wind 2,4 m/s),

temperature of air and structures (m/s)
See Fig. 7 for velocity fields of four sections of air Fig. 9 – Primary and adapted grid of model
cavity for wind velocity of 0.6 m/s. Maximum
velocity of the air is 0.3 m/s. Air flow after the inlet
is cooled, came down and slowed down. The air is
diffused mostly into the whole volume of the cavity.
 CONCLUSION
Based on the completed calculations, the
following conclusions can be made:
i) Immediately after the inlet hole, the air is
warmed up in contact with the ambient surfaces (heat
losses from the interior) and by convection and
mixing with initially warmer air. The usual thermal
field of the outside walls changes, too. Film
coefficient on the surface inside the cavity is higher,
and the heat transfer is more intensive than in the
case with no ventilation. This experience has to be
taken into account when designing the composition
and geometry of the air cavity, as well as load
bearing structures.
ii) The incoming cold air influences the
ambient structures (walls, ceilings) and their lowest
interior temperature decreases by few kelvins. In case
of a solid brick wall, this may be very critical.
Condensation of water vapour in the interior is very
dangerous, because of the risk of mould.
iii) The air flows in the cavity, and
approximately in the middle it is mixed enough, so
the temperature is mostly constant. The temperature
further increases in direction to the outlet. The inlet
temperature is -15 °C and the outlet temperature is
about -8 °C. Warming is caused by the heat losses of
the ceiling and the heat from the ground.
iv) Further calculations will be carried out to
measure the air cavity ventilated by chimney, where
additional natural forces can be found – chimney
effect. This may ensure better ventilation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author of the paper would like to
acknowledge the financial support provided by the
Czech Ministry of Education project MSM
0021630511 ”Progressive building materials with
using of recyclable sources”.

LITERATURE
[1] ČSN 73 0540-2 Thermal protection of buildings
Part 2 Requirements (2007).
[2] Balík M. a col. Odvlhčování staveb. Grada,
Praha, 2005.
[3] ČSN 73 0540-2 Thermal protection of buildings
Part 3 (2005).
[4] ČSN 73 0540-2 Thermal protection of buildings
Part 4 (2005).
[5] ANSYS FLUENT. Computer software, manual
2007.
[6] Svoboda Z.: MEZERA 2007. Calculation
software, manual 2007.
[7] Solař J., Kalousek M., Šikula O., Evaluation of
ventilation inside floor air cavity by CFD
method, Almanach WTA 2008., Brno University
of Technology, Brno, CZ

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