Work

Investigating the Impact of Wind Tower Geometry on Ventilation Efficiency in Semi-Enclosed Spaces: A Comprehensive Parametric Analysis and Design Implications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Passive building ventilation features, such as wind towers, can help meet rising cooling and ventilation demands in hot, arid regions. However, most prior studies rely on scaled models or isolate single design parameters, limiting holistic insight. This study conducts a full-scale, validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) parametric analysis of wind tower geometry and its impact on ventilation efficiency in semi-enclosed spaces. Five geometric properties are investigated: tower shape, roof type, number of shafts, separator height, and number of louvres. Additionally, the sensitivity of the optimal configuration to wind speed, wind direction, and louvre orientation is assessed. Results from 88 CFD cases highlight strong interactions among design parameters and show that straight towers with curved roofs consistently perform best. Compared with a tower with six shafts, a flat internal roof, and downward-facing louvres, an optimized tower with four shafts, a convex internal roof, and upward-facing louvres increases airflow rate by a factor of 2.7 and occupied-zone air velocity by 45%, underscoring the importance of holistic geometric optimization.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings16020322

Authors: Ahmed Hafez, Ahmed Marey, Sherif Goubran, Omar Abdelaziz

Institutions: Cairo University, Concordia University, American University in Cairo

Language: English

Topic: Wind and Air Flow Studies

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137