Sensitivity analysis of influence factors on multi-zone indoor airflow CFD simulation

Area of Science:

• Building Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Computational Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is crucial for indoor airflow analysis, but validating multi-zone models with varying boundary conditions is complex.
• Accurate CFD simulations require adjusting boundary conditions based on influential factors, an area with limited research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of key influence factors on temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) distribution in a validated CFD model of an office floor.
• To provide insights into fine-tuning complex CFD models for realistic airflow simulation and understanding effects on air quality and human comfort.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ANSYS Fluent for CFD simulations of a typical office floor.
• Investigated influence factors including door gap sizes, solar radiation under various weather conditions, and occupant number/orientation.
• Employed Building Information Modeling (BIM) for efficient modification of influence factors.

Main Results:

• Analyzed velocity variations due to door gap sizes to enhance multi-zone simulation accuracy.
• Assessed the sensitivity of different office zones to solar heat load and distribution.
• Examined the effects of occupant presence and orientation on indoor temperature and CO2 concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated that door gaps, solar radiation, and occupant factors significantly impact indoor environmental conditions in multi-zone settings.
• Highlighted the importance of considering these factors for accurate CFD modeling and improved building performance.
• Showcased BIM as an effective tool for optimizing CFD model parameters.