Air flow patterns and temperature distribution within courtyard have been studied. Wind and thermally driven flow have been thoroughly analysed as a function of the depth to width ratio (Aspect ratio) as main parameter. CFD results show a quite similar behaviour regarding to velocity profiles for all the cases, though temperature profiles are highly affected by dimensions of the courtyard. The whole study can be extrapolated to urban canyons, where air flow patterns are quite similar as a result of having the same geometry.

This paper describes a European project to produce comprehensive design guidance on urban layout to ensure good access to solar gain, daylighting and passive cooling. The project involves:

Since reduction of ventilation rates in dwellings for economical reasons, it has been necessary to study whether this reduction had not been done to the detriment of indoor air quality. Several means of investigating were developed: experimental tests are indispensable but usually expensive that is why numerous research centres choose to model the thermoconvective fields in rooms.

The use of tracer gas is of great help in measuring airflow rates and detecting shortcuts in air handling units, and is essential for ventilation efficiency measurement. However, the planning of experiments, that is choosing tracer gas injection locations and air sampling locations, is not straightforward. Moreover, the mathematics used for interpretation are quite complex, and require elaborate calculations. Therefore, a measurement protocol and the corresponding interpretation algorithms are being developed and implemented in a user-friendly computer program.

In designing thermal and ventilation systems in buildings, an examining process of exchange between the designers and analysts is needed. This study aims to expand the simulation system of thermal and ventilation into an automated process for the design of optimum thermal and ventilative conditions, based on the expertise of analysts, the analysis of the thermal environment and the modification of the design, by automating these functions.

Since the beginning of this decade, natural ventilation in office buildings is receiving specific interest. There are two sorts of application. Natural ventilation can be a strategy for indoor air quality control. Besides it can be used as night ventilation during warm or hot periods. In this case the objective is to cool down the thermal mass and improve the thermal summer comfort. The EC JOULE NatVent project wanted to identify the barriers to the application of natural ventilation in office-type buildings in moderate and cold climates and to provide solutions.

Ventilation is essential for the maintenance of good indoor air quality, although there is evidence to suggest that energy loss through uncontrolled or unnecessary air infiltration is excessive. In this study, estimates are presented for air change (ventilation and infiltration) energy use in non-industrial buildings for 13 countries. Various methods are used for the estimates, but they are mainly based on calculating the total annual enthalpy change needed for the conditioning of air. The potential for reduced energy use by improved ventilation control is also briefly reviewed.

The overall objective of the present work is to evaluate the performance of three turbulence models, with a view to predicting characteristics of airflow within an anisothermic cavity. The standard K-c. model, the Renormalisation Group model (RNG) and the Reynolds stress model (RSM) are used in conjunction with the Fluent code. The accuracy and the relative performance of the three models are evaluated by comparing their numerical results with experimentally obtained data. This comparison is made for the constant flow rate of a twodimensional turbulent mixed convective airflow.

Low energy buildings should satisfied two main tasks: to assure a low energy use and provide an excellent residence comfort. The building envelopment elements, especially the transparent one, have major influence on both tasks. The paper presents research results of heat transfer and fluid flows through double pane window with tight, opaque insulation screen. The insulation screen was installed in such a way, that a semi open air gap was formed. An air gap is connected with the building interior through an opening on the bottom and with exterior through siphon at the top.

Achieving optimized partial improvements of the indoor climate may often be better than to know all optimal levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative importance of temperature, noise, draft and window area. 30 heat-acclimatized subjects participated in 10 exposures in single person climate chambers. Each exposure lasted three hours. During an exposure, the subject was free to optimize the operative temperature at a link to either draft, noise or window area. For each pair of parameters, three linear links were tested.