A Discussion on Using Computational Fluid Dynamics in Building Services Engineering

The application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)for studying indoor air flow induced by mechanical, ventilation and air-conditioning (MVAC) system and fires is discussed. The three key elements in a CFD model of the turbulence modelling, discretization of the conservation equations, and algorithms in solving the velocity-pressure linked equation are outlined. Practical examples on applying CFD are briefly outlined with more detailed discussions on two cases: the simulation of the thermal environment in an electric cable tunnel and the probable environment in a big old high-rise building fire.