The exact patterns of airflow occurring in and around a building, the distribution of heat, and even contaminants, can be modelled using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
IES consulting can work with you throughout the design process to create and use these simulations to assess a wide range of design issues; from micro-climate impact on pedestrian comfort and façade design to the fine tuning of air distribution systems.
CFD analysis on a building’s external aerodynamic characteristics provides information on its pressure envelope and micro-climate. This is commonly used in the assessment of issues such as pedestrian comfort, façade design, positioning of air intakes and exhausts, and the distribution of contaminants throughout a site and its surroundings.
Internal CFD simulations can be used to assess the impact of system design and spatial layout on indoor air quality and thermal comfort. The distribution of heat and movement of air within spaces such as atria can be assessed, determining the impact of the supply air location, flow rate and temperature, extract location and other dynamics within the space. This can be used to fine-tune air distribution systems (both mechanical and passive) and examine specific design issues such as downdraughts, stack effect, condensation risk and smoke movement.
Data from CFD analysis can also be feed into bulk airflow modelling to greatly improve the calculation of infiltration and inter-zonal air movement.
