The effects of rhythm on building openings and fenestrations on airflow pattern in tropical low-rise residential buildings

Journal article


Peter I. Oforji, Emeka J. Mba and Francis O. Okeke 2023. The effects of rhythm on building openings and fenestrations on airflow pattern in tropical low-rise residential buildings. civil engineering journal. 9 (8), pp. 2062-2084. https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-08-016
AuthorsPeter I. Oforji, Emeka J. Mba and Francis O. Okeke
Abstract

Effective passive airflow in low-rise residential buildings in hot-humid environment is crucial to maintaining good indoor thermal comfort for occupants. However, investigation of effects of the rhythm of window openings on achieving a passive airflow pattern in such buildings in the tropical climate of sub-Saharan Nigeria have been rarely studied. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of the rhythm of window openings on passive airflow patterns for indoor thermal comfort in low-rise residential buildings in the hot-humid environment of Obosi, Nigeria. It involved experimental research using the Anemometer TA465 instrument for measuring wind velocity, relative humidity, and temperature of the purposively designated buildings in the three layouts of the study area for both wet and dry seasons. Employing the Yamane statistical formula, a sample size of 433 was obtained, and questionnaires were administered to occupants of the studied buildings and analyzed using categorical Regression Analysis (CATREG). The regression analysis showed that p=0.000, i.e. p<0.05 indicating that there was a significant relationship between the type and sizes of windows (elements used in measuring rhythm) and the intensity or force of breeze (a measure of passive airflow pattern). Further analysis of the data involved the use of Autodesk CFD 2018 (Computational Fluid Dynamics) for building wind flow simulations. The result showed variations in temperature levels (indications of differences in indoor thermal comfort) of various indoor spaces of the investigated designated floors and buildings, especially ground floors and the top-most floors of the buildings. The study underscored the need to use architectural rhythm design strategies to create a positive impact on airflow patterns in low-rise buildings, especially in densely built-up urban areas. The results of this study are instructive in noting that in order to attain passive airflow in buildings in the face of challenge of land restrictions, vertical stacking of building floors could be used once an adequate rhythm of window openings is adopted.

KeywordsWindow openings; Rhythm; Passive airflow; Residential buildings; Obosi
Year2023
Journalcivil engineering journal
Journal citation9 (8), pp. 2062-2084
PublisherSalehan Institute of Higher Education
ISSN2476-3055
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-08-016
Official URLhttps://civilejournal.org/index.php/cej/article/view/4302
Publication dates
Print31 Aug 2023
Publication process dates
Deposited04 Sep 2023
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/958x2/the-effects-of-rhythm-on-building-openings-and-fenestrations-on-airflow-pattern-in-tropical-low-rise-residential-buildings

Download files


Publisher's version
4302-11550-1-PB.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 37
    total views
  • 32
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Study on agricultural waste utilization in sustainable particleboard production
Okeke, F., Ahmed, A. and Hassanin, H. 2024. Study on agricultural waste utilization in sustainable particleboard production. E3S Web of Conferences. 563. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202456302007
Evolving trends and challenges in sustainable architectural design; a practice perspective.
Mba, Emeka J., Okeke, Francis O., Igwe, Ajuluchukwu E., Ozigbo, Chinelo A., Oforji, Peter I. and Ozigbo, Ikechukwu W. 2024. Evolving trends and challenges in sustainable architectural design; a practice perspective. Heliyon. 10 (20), p. e39400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39400
A review of corncob-based building materials as a sustainable solution for the building and construction industry
Okeke, F., Ahmed, A., Imam, A. and Hassanin, H. 2024. A review of corncob-based building materials as a sustainable solution for the building and construction industry. Hybrid Advances. 6 (100269), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2024.100269
Assessment of compressive strength performance of corn cob ash blended concrete: a review
Okeke, F., Ahmed, A., Imam, A. and Hassanin, H. 2024. Assessment of compressive strength performance of corn cob ash blended concrete: a review. https://doi.org/10.18552/2024/SCMT/606
Awareness of the effects of small-scale cassava mill effluent on the environment in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria.
Isimah, Matthew Ogorchukwu, Chukwurah, Gladys Ogochukwu, Okeke, Francis, Nwankwo, Cletus Famous and Nnoli, Chukwuemeka Ifedilichukwu 2023. Awareness of the effects of small-scale cassava mill effluent on the environment in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 195 (12), p. 1431. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12026-7
Post occupancy evaluation of ventilation coefficient desired for thermal comfort in educational facilities
Mba, E.J, Okeke, F.O, Ezema, E.O, Oforji, P.I and Ozigbo, C.A 2023. Post occupancy evaluation of ventilation coefficient desired for thermal comfort in educational facilities. Journal of Human, Earth, and Future. 4 (1), pp. 88-102. https://doi.org/10.28991/HEF-2023-04-01-07
Architectural design response to population issue in sub-Saharan cities
Okeke, F.O, Ezema, E.C, Nnaemeka-Okeke, R.C, Okosun, E.A and Okeke, C.A 2023. Architectural design response to population issue in sub-Saharan cities. E3S Web of Conferences. 434 (02005). https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202343402005
Transit, walking and cycling infrastructure and sustainable development in Enugu city, Nigeria.
Andrew E. Okosun, Francis O Okeke, Ajuluchukwu E. Igwe and Emmanuel C. Ezema 2023. Transit, walking and cycling infrastructure and sustainable development in Enugu city, Nigeria. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 1239 (012022), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1239/1/012022