Controlling Wind Pressure Around Buildings: Using Automated Multi-Angle Ventilation Louvers for Higher Natural Ventilation Potential

Abstract

Natural ventilation (NV) is an effective means of reducing building energy consumption and enhancing indoor air quality (IAQ) by conveying outdoor air into space. Recently, rising concern of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic arouse interest in utilizing NV. However, the uncertainty of airflow and the complexity of controlling windows that often rely on the occupants prevent achieving higher NV potential. This research proposes an automated multi-angle ventilation louver that can provide a stable airflow into space by controlling the axis position and opening angle, leading to higher NV potential. The performance of the louver was tested on multiple cases of wind condition and louver configurations by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The data set collected from the CFD simulations showed that the louver generates higher NV potential compared to the opening without the louvers. Based on the data set, this research introduces a simulation tool developed in Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. The tool assists users in exploring the potential of NV in cases utilizing the louvers at different locations, building programs, and building configurations. The tool further indicates louver control and coordination on an hourly basis that can achieve maximized NV potential. Overall, this research expands the applicability of NV in both new and existing buildings by introducing an automated multi-angle ventilation louver. The louver can be further developed to apply a real-time control system that could accommodate variations of indoor environments and building surrounding conditions.