Air flow distribution in a naturally ventilated light weight room.

The objective of this research is to investigate air flow distribution inside a light weight test room which is single sided naturally ventilated. The ventilation rate into the room is controlled by adjusting four sets of louvres. The local outside air temperature, humidity, pressure, wind velocity and direction were measured. Inside the room the velocity and direction of the inflow air across the high and low level openings, temperature and velocity distribution at four locations and six levels across the room were recorded. The results demonstrated that a displacement mode of ventilation was maintained in the space when the wind came from behind the test room. When the wind impinged on the louvre bulkhead the displacement flow into the room was reduced. A simulation package was used to calculate the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) values for different measured indoor velocities. The predicted thermal comfort indicated that PMV values were significantly improved with a higher internal air velocity.