Airflow patterns and pressure distributions for a cross-ventilated detached house analyzed by wind tunnel tests and CFD analysis

Sealed building wind pressure coefficients and discharge coefficients of openings are generally used to predict building ventilation airflow rates. For the flow through large openings, however, it is well known that this method underestimates the flow rate. The ultimate goal of this work is to establish an improved prediction method based on energy balance inside a selected stream tube passing through/around the building. In this paper, wind tunnel tests and CFD analyses are conducted by using a simple-shaped detached house with a purpose to study the accuracy of the CFD simulation. Here three cases are studied varying the opening size. Finally, measured and simulated ground pressure distribution and airflow pattern are compared.