Numerical simulation of buoyant flow in a roof of triangular cross-section under winter day boundary conditions

A computational study of buoyant flow in a roof of triangular cross-section has been carried out for the two-dimensional laminar natural convection under winter day boundary conditions. Stream function-vorticity formulation cooperated with control volume integration solution technique is adopted in this study. Steady-state solutions have been obtained for Rayleigh number ranging from 103 to 106. The effects of height–base ratio and Rayleigh number on the flow structure and heat transfer are investigated. The results show that height–base ratio and Rayleigh number have a profound influence on the temperature and flow field. As the Rayleigh number is increased, a multiple cell solution is developed between hypotenuse and base wall. The transition to the multiple cell solution depends on the Rayleigh number and height–base ratio. The results of heat transfer are also presented.