Demystifying the Art of Wind Tower Natural Ventilation
To help architects and consultants deliver low-maintenance, energy-efficient designs within the built environment, Monodraught and building performance analysis specialist IES have developed Performance Components - a revolutionary way of modelling natural ventilation systems using the IES Virtual Environment Suite.
The use of building simulation has grown extensively in the last 10 years, driven by the development of computer simulation and legislative requirements to reduce the energy consumption of buildings.
Whilst Monodraught pioneered its Windcatcher natural ventilation system over twenty years ago, until recently, modelling this type of wind tower natural ventilation system was considered time consuming and complicated. Currently, architects and consultants often encounter problems understanding the true impact of incorporating Windcatcher systems within their buildings, due to the difficulty in verifying the improvements that can be achieved.
Conventional modelling of wind tower systems involves constructing a 3D representation of the Windcatcher within a specific model, and assigning each face with a performance factor that quantifies its ability to ‘catch’ the air.
This process is, however, often misunderstood and time consuming, due to a combination of the variations between software packages and the manufacturers of these types of systems being unable to provide the required input data for a particular model.
The Monodraught vision was a library of predefined 3D representations of their systems that could be dragged easily from a catalogue of products onto a building model, constructed within the virtual environment.
Now, with the launch of Performance Components, the reality is a defined method for modelling wind tower natural ventilation systems that can be recognised across the building design industry.
With each Performance Component already assigned the relevant construction templates, thermal templates and MacroFlo profiles, they are equipped to simulate as soon as they are positioned in the model, allowing users the flexibility to explore the potential of natural ventilation as an alternative to a more conventional mechanical system.
Each performance component replicates the shape, texture and colour of the associated Windcatcher system, with the performance characteristics and control strategies predefined to optimise the usability and efficiency of the tool. Users will find the simplicity of the ‘drag and drop’ feature dramatically reduces the modelling time typically associated with these types of systems.
The performance and energy savings are then assessed in an open and transparent process, building confidence in the application of Windcatcher natural ventilation systems and demonstrating the true capabilities and potential for natural and hybrid ventilation schemes.
In addition, tools such as the MacroFlo Airflow Visualization in VistaPro can provide users with an insight into the year-round performance of Windcatcher systems; and visual representations of the authentic textures will offer architects and designers a means of understanding the aesthetics of Monodraught systems; and how best to integrate them into a building.
Commenting for Monodraught, technical director Nick Hopper says the Windcatcher Performance Component module lives up to the expectations of the original concept exactly, and further develops it with many additional features that enhance user operation and ease of design.
Windcatcher is a registered trademark owned by Monodraught Limited.
Ends
For further information contact:
Marketing Department, Monodraught Limited
Halifax House, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3SE
Tel: 01494 897700, Fax: 01494 532465
Email: info@monodraught.com Web: www.monodraught.com
About Monodraught:
In the current climate of soaring energy prices and the fear of global warming, increasing attention is being focused on Monodraught’s range of energy-free products. Monodraught has always sought to invent, explore and develop innovative technologies that harness the wind and sun. Products include Windcatchers, Sunpipes, Suncatchers, Sola-vents, Sola-boosts and Cool-Phase.
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