Work

Wind-Direction-Dependent Design Implications for Natural Ventilation Performance of Rain-Shield Monitor Roofs

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Monitor-roof designs are widely used in buildings to enhance natural ventilation while protecting interior spaces from rain penetration. However, the ventilation performance of rain-shield monitor roofs can be significantly influenced by their geometric configuration and the interaction between wind-driven and buoyancy-driven airflow. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to investigate the ventilation performance of rain-shield monitor roofs under hybrid natural ventilation conditions. The effects of key geometric parameters, including the outlet height (Lz) and lateral spacing (Ly), were examined under different approaching wind conditions. The results indicate that ventilation performance is governed by the combined influence of wind-driven and buoyancy-driven mechanisms. Among the investigated configurations, an intermediate outlet height of approximately Lz ≈ 0.6 m generally provides favorable ventilation performance, while a lateral spacing Ly in the range of 0.6–0.8 m maintains effective airflow passage without excessive flow resistance. The findings provide quantitative guidance for the design of rain-shield monitor-roof ventilation systems in buildings operating under hybrid natural ventilation conditions.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings16122400

Authors: Khoon Sean Yeoh, Yi-Pin Lin, Chi-Ming Lai

Institutions: National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University

Language: English

Topic: Wind and Air Flow Studies

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137