| Abstract: | Wind pressure coefficients at various openings of a wind tower were determined by testing a scale model of the building in a boundary layer wind tunnel. Wind towers (or Baud-Geers) are structures which have been employed in Iran and neighbouring countries for natural ventilation and passive cooling. Tests were conducted on an isolated tower, the tower and adjoining house, and the tower and house surrounded by a courtyard. The wind pressure coefficients at the tower and house openings were determined at various wind angles for two types of terrain: suburban and open country. The air flow rates were then estimated from a knowledge of the wind pressure coefficients at the building apertures. It was concluded that the presence of a courtyard around the structure and the angle of incidence of the wind influence the rate and the direction of air flowing from the tower to the house. If leeward openings of the tower can be closed (for example, by automatic dampers) restricting the air leaving these apertures, the air flow rate from the tower to the house can be greatly increased. The results of this investigation are believed to provide assistance to architects and engineers in the design of wind towers for desired ventilation rates in buildings. |
