Air Flow Visualisation Towards the Design of Breathing Skins
Date
2016
Authors
Muehlbauer, M.
Cheng, N.Y.
Khorasgani, M.L.
McCarthy, J.
Burry, J.
Editors
Attar, R.
Chronis, A.
Hanna, S.
Turrin, M.
Chronis, A.
Hanna, S.
Turrin, M.
Advisors
Journal Title
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Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Proceedings of the 7th Annual Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design (SimAUD 2016)), 2016 / Attar, R., Chronis, A., Hanna, S., Turrin, M. (ed./s), pp.51-58
Statement of Responsibility
Manuel Muehlbauer, Nancy Y. Cheng, Mehrnoush Latifi Khorasgani, Jesse McCarthy and Jane Burry
Conference Name
7th Annual Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design (SimAUD) (16 May 2016 - 18 May 2016 : Univ Coll London, London, ENGLAND)
Abstract
How can the geometric modification of surfaces affect airflow and enhance the thermal performance of ventilated facades? This study is an initial investigation into how surface articulation can affect air movement in a plenum between the shaped surface and the building, as a step toward the design of climate-specific ventilated facades, termed “Breathing Skins”. The research method describes how physical and digital procedures can play complementary roles in the understanding of complex environmental phenomena for architectural applications. Initial wind-tunnel tests measured the pressure change from the inbound side to the outbound side of a cavity with a variable shaped surface on one face. They allowed comparison of the frictional properties of a variety of folded surface forms, that could be used for façade siding or screens. Subsequently, the patterns were simulated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Results show that a solid sheet with concertina folds parallel to the wind revealed a greater loss in pressure and a Miura-Ori pattern a smaller loss in pressure than a flat sheet. These findings are shaping further research into the phenomenon by indicating useful avenues for the development of climate-modulating outer building skins.
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© 2016 Society for Modeling & Simulation International (SCS)