ABSTRACT
The author reports the multi-room ventilation calculation methods by the network model mainly concerned about the vertical shafts, as the air flow in the stairwell or smoke flow on fire may have a severe impact on the other zones of the building. Survey of the flow characteristics in the building by the CFD is a promising means for this approach. But under the existing conditions, bulky data obtained from the CFD analysis may not be effectively utilized considering a lot of labor and time for CFD processing.
Handling of the flow resistances for the stairwell and the atrium or the vertical duct applicable to the network model is discussed. The moot point of a uni-directional flow assumption involved in the conventional network model is indicated and the alternative model for the bi-directional flows in openings are proposed. Suitable agreement of the results between the network calculation and CFD analysis is obtained for the cases of one- to seven-story buildings including the stairwell.
