Study of Temperature Field in Natural Ventilated Atrium

Full-scale experimental measurements and modified k-ε two-equation computational fluid dynamics(CFD) model with buoyancy term are used to investigate temperature field of the single-sided natural ventilated atrium with large openings. Compared with the measured values, the modified k--ε turbulent mode can effectively simulate the low Reynold number airflow in the single-side naturally ventilated atrium. Based on the experiment,the optimum period of utilizing natural ventilation for indoor climate control was determined. And the characteristic of the temperature field was analyzed and classified into two zones:lower linear temperature distribution zone and upper thermal accumulation area where temperature is power function distributed. These can be referenced for design and operation of atrium in north China.