CFD Assessment for Thermal Performance of Double Skin Facades in Hot - Humid Climate in KSA

This study focuses on the thermal performance in the building with Double Skin Facades (DSF) used to reduce building cooling load and annual energy consumption in Saudi Arabia. Weather condition in most Saudi Arabia is hot and humid in summer and cold in winter. Heating in winter is not a big problem because of the availability of cheap fossil fuel and its period is shorter than cooling period. In the summer the situation changes considerably. The temperature during summer puts a heavy strain on the cooling loads of air-conditioned buildings. Generally the DSFs have been used to improve energy consumption in buildings. Although the DSF concept is not new, it is getting more and more attention from an energy point of view and many studies with regard to energy performance of the DSF have been performed under different climatic conditions using various tools. However, its complexity and adaptability to different climatic conditions increase the need for careful design. The goal of this study is to undertake pre-normative research to provide information for developing a comprehensive energy efficient DSF system in Saudi Arabia. In order to pursue this goal, the objectives are to identify the characteristics associated with the DSF system related the weather condition in KSA. In addition, the thermal performance of the DSF systems with various configurations will be determined to reach a satisfying thermal comfort in buildings. Finally, the information in order to find out the applicable DSF configuration such as system and cavity depth, etc. regarding to the weather situation in KSA will be provided. In the present work, analytical and empirical methods are involved. Through a case study analysis, the characteristics of DSF system will be categorized and analyzed. In addition, a being planned or a newly built office building in the KFUPM campus will be selected for the analysis by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. According to this analysis, thermal behavior under the various DSF systems are assessed through the CFD simulation. With the completion of the study, numerous simulation runs had been carried out with various thermal parameters in the double-skin facade in order to provide information for the appropriate DSF system for acceptable indoor conditions in Saudi Arabia context. These findings will be of outmost important as an indication whether double-skin facade is really possible to be used as a mean to reduce the amount of heat gain through the building envelope by the well-designed DSF in hot - humid climate regions.