In the present study, the ventilation performance of a one-sided wind-catcher positioned in the wake of an upstream structure is experimentally investigated by measuring the induced airflow rates and employing smoke flow visualization techniques. Wind-catchers are usually used in places of high urban densities in Middle East regions; however, their potential to provide natural ventilation depends on the presence of upstream structures. The present study focuses on the ventilation performance evaluation of a one-sided wind-catcher located in the wake of an upstream structure model. The influence of the upstream structure height and its distance relative to the wind-catcher on the flow structure within and around the wind-catcher is investigated. Moreover, the ventilation performance is evaluated by measuring the ventilation flow rate using a hot wire anemometer for upstream air velocities of 10 and 15 m/s. The results show that the presence of an upstream object influences the rate and the direction of air flowing from the wind-catcher to the house. Placing a short upstream object increases the induced air flow rate. However, by increasing the height of upstream object, the airflow direction is reversed inside the wind-catcher and the air may flow backward from the ventilated space to the wind-catcher.

Keywords: Natural ventilation, One-sided wind-catcher, Smoke flow visualization, hot wire

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