Enhancing indoor airflow: insights on cross ventilation through CFD simulations

In recent years, the architectural design process has undergone significant advancements due to computational design, enabling real-time exploration of alternatives through parametric modeling. In the design of buildings, a comprehensive understanding of measurement systems, particularly in the context of natural ventilation, can guide decision-making processes through tests using computational simulations. This paper aims to determine the flow patterns of natural ventilation in indoor environments under five specific conditions using Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis (CFD) Ansys Fluent® R22. Five configurations are analyzed and compared to a control sample. Adhering to scientific rigor and employing computational techniques, it was possible to achieve satisfactory inferences for indoor airflow. Our findings indicate that the diagonal positioning of openings substantially accelerates wind speed in indoor environments. This design strategy supersedes the need for more openings when the goal is to enhance air speed and indoor air renewal.