Decision Support for Natural Ventilation of Nonresidential Buildings

This paper describes a decision-support framework assisting the design of nonresidential buildings with natural ventilation. The framework is composed of decision modules with input, analysis algorithms and output of natural ventilation design. The framework covers ventilation with natural driving force and mechanical-assisted ventilation. The proposed framework has two major assessment levels: feasibility assessment and comparison of alternative natural ventilation approaches. The feasibility assessment modules assess the potential of the site with the design proposition for natural ventilation in terms of wind, temperature, humidity, noise, and pollution conditions. All of the possible natural ventilation approaches and system designs are assessed by first applying constraint functions to each of the alternatives. Then the comparison of alternative approaches to natural ventilation continues by assessing the critical performance mandates that include energy savings, thermal comfort, acoustic control, indoor air quality, and cost. Approaches are finally ranked based on their performance.