A comparison of wind tunnel and CFD methods applied to natural ventilation design

The design of a naturally ventilated atrium was assessed using both wind tunnel and CFD methods to appraise and modify the response of the system to wind forces. The initial design was expected to be susceptible to flow reversal due to wind forces opposing and ultimately defeating buoyancy forces. Several design options were assessed by both methods. Both the methods were able to provide good information to guide the design development. Crucially, the information and guidance from both methods was consistent; that is either method could have led the design development to a similar final result. Each method has, of course, advantages and limitations, and to some extent these are complementary.