PARAMETRIC STUDY ON NATURAL VENTILATION: A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING CENTRAL WORKSHOP, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MINNA

Abstract

This study provides a literature review on natural ventilation principles, factors affecting airflow, thermal comfort, and the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in building design. The researchers created a detailed 3D model of a workshop and conducted simulations using the DesignBuilder-EnergyPlus software suite. The simulations focused on thermal comfort and were performed on a baseline model with a window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of 30%. The results showed that occupants experienced thermal discomfort for 30.74% of the year, with the remaining 69.26% being comfortable, ranging from "hot" to "slightly warm" sensations. The study then explored the impact of different interventions. Implementing lighting control improved thermal comfort, resulting in a 1.37% increase in the number of hours occupants experienced comfort. The introduction of mechanical ventilation without cooling had a minimal impact on thermal comfort (1.17% improvement). However, when mechanical ventilation and scheduled cooling were combined, there was a significant improvement. The predicted thermal sensation ranged from "slightly warm" to "slightly cool," with most occupants experiencing "neutral" conditions. This strategy increased comfort hours by 14.62% compared to the baseline. While lighting control and mechanical ventilation with fans offered minimal benefits, the combination of mechanical ventilation and scheduled cooling significantly enhanced occupant comfort.