Accurate analysis of courtyard thermal performance with application to project design in Architecture

Abstract: Courtyards are an effective passive strategy for improving the energy performance of buildings. However, there is a lack of accurate simulation tools for their thermal performance due to their complex thermodynamics. The main contribution is the coupling of a CFD model with a system of differential equations at the walls, governing surface and inner wall temperatures, providing an accurate computation of courtyard thermal performance.  Modeling results are compared with monitored data. Comparisons with simulations carried by commercial tools showed more accuracy.