THE IMPACT OF MODIFYING COURTYARD WALL GEOMETRIES ON THERMAL PERFORMANCE AND NATURAL VENTILATION OF TWO-STOREY BUILDING

The paper investigates the influence of different courtyard wall geometries on the thermal performance and natural ventilation of adjacent spaces in a typical two-storey building. Computer simulations using IESVE were conducted to assess the impact of various wall configurations, including vertical walls, inward staggered walls, inward sloped walls, outward staggered walls, and outward sloped walls. The wall geometries play a crucial role in regulating thermal performance and natural ventilation within the rooms surrounding the courtyard. The ratio of the courtyard’s top width to its ground width (T/G) affects the flow patterns inside the courtyard. The findings suggest that courtyards with outwardly sloped or staggered walls exhibit improved heating load performance and promote increased air movement within the courtyard and facilitate better air exchange between the courtyard and the adjacent spaces. Courtyards with inwardly sloped or staggered walls demonstrate enhanced cooling load performance. Based on these results, a courtyard with an inwardly staggered or sloped wall is highly recommended for hot climates. In contrast, a courtyard with an outwardly staggered or sloped wall could be utilized in an overcast climate.