Computational fluid dynamics in building design: An introduction FB 69

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.

Computational fluid dynamics in building design: An introduction (FB 69) was written by Richard Chitty and Chunli Cao and published on 15 September 2014.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a tool that can be used in the design of buildings to simulate aspects of a building's thermal and ventilation performance, fire engineering, its impact on the local environment and so on. For more information see: Computational fluid dynamics.

FB 69 sets out the background to the CFD methodology for non-experts such as building control bodies and other regulatory authorities and discusses the current capabilities and limitations of CFD for building design.

The process of reviewing CFD predictions can be dependent on identifying ‘schoolboy’ errors, such as supersonic wind speeds, using simple sanity checks based on experience of the real world. Visualisation methods often mask the difference between qualitative simulations to demonstrate the feasibility of a concept and quantitative simulations required to prove the functionality of different aspects of design.

The 32-page guide explains best practice, focussing on fire safety, ventilation, thermal comfort and wind movement around buildings.

Its contents include:

• Introduction.
• Computational fluid dynamics explained.
• Computational fluid dynamics in use.
• Fire safety design.
• Ventilation and thermal comfort.
• Wind loading.
• Micro-climate around buildings.
• Case study 1: Fire simulation.
• Case study 2: Natural ventilation.
• References.

--BRE Group

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