Parametric Study of Thermodynamics in the Mediterranean Courtyard as a Tool for the Design of Eco-Efficient Buildings

Juan M. Rojas, Carmen Galán-Marín and Enrique D. Fernández-Nieto
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Juan M. Rojas: Department of Building Construction. E.T.S. Arquitectura, University of Seville, Seville 41012, Spain
Carmen Galán-Marín: Department of Building Construction. E.T.S. Arquitectura, University of Seville, Seville 41012, Spain
Enrique D. Fernández-Nieto: Department of Applied Mathematics E.T.S. Arquitectura, University of Seville, Seville 41012, Spain

Energies, 2012, vol. 5, issue 7, 1-23

Abstract: Traditionally, people in the Mediterranean region knew that the temperatures in their courtyards were cooler in summer than outside temperature. This paper provides a quantitative study on the usefulness of Mediterranean courtyards as passive energy saving systems. This work is based on the creation of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical model developed using the open source Freefem++ language. In this work, first the numerical model is tested using simplified-shape courtyards which have been previously studied both physically under controlled parameters, and mathematically through numerical simulations. We also study the most appropriate depth ratio for a courtyard, based on these simplified shapes, depending on the climate. Secondly, we apply the numerical model in a real geometry, the Monte Málaga hotel. We compare the numerical results with the monitored data of the temperature in the courtyard of the hotel. The numerical model takes into account precomputed solar radiation in the walls of the courtyard, the predominant wind and buoyancy effects.

Keywords: courtyard; patio; microclimate; CFD; finite elements; sustainable architecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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