Page 31 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Natural ventilation in courtyard dwellings

Table 3. Summary of field study and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation comparison
Analysis criteria Field study result CFD findings Consistencies and discrepancies
Airflow patterns Cross-ventilation in large Cross-ventilation patterns similarly Consistent; minor discrepancies in localized
courtyards observed in simulated airflow airflow rates
Seasonal Effective ventilation in summer; Simulated seasonal correlation in Consistent across seasonal variations
performance heat retention in winter ventilation and thermal conditions
Limitations and Influenced by local climate, rock, Terrain and materials idealized; Discrepant; local complexities not fully
assumptions and soil conditions homogeneous conditions assumed captured by CFD
Thermal comfort Improved comfort noted in shaded Internal temperatures reduced through Consistent; shading effects closely matched
areas light modification
Vegetation impact Reduced wind speed; enhanced Simulated effects of vegetation on Consistent; simulations slightly
microclimate airflow and cooling underpredicted cooling effectiveness

into environmental design to enhance occupant comfort. is essential for ensuring its accurate application in real-
Many of these strategies offer valuable insights not only for world contexts. The reviewed literature often assumes
Inner Mongolia but also for other regions with similarly idealized conditions—such as homogeneous wind profiles,
harsh climates. smooth surfaces, and uniform material properties—which
deviate significantly from actual environments. In practice,
5.6. Comparative insights from courtyard-based factors such as courtyard vegetation, dynamic occupancy
residential designs across China patterns, surface roughness, and interference from adjacent
Although the present study focuses on Inner Mongolia, the structures markedly impact airflow behavior. Omitting
examination of courtyard-based residential designs from these elements reduces the applicability of simulation
other provinces of China provides valuable comparative results.
insights. In Inner Mongolia, for instance, some courtyard To enhance simulation reliability, future studies should
dwellings incorporate sunken courtyards, surrounded
by perimeter rooms with high thermal mass, which help consider the development of multi-scale modeling
moderate temperatures despite large external fluctuations strategies, including:
(Chang et al., 2017). In Henan, courtyard dwellings strike a • Incorporating high-resolution urban terrain data to
between passive solar heating in winter and cross-ventilation more accurately reflect the topographic variation and
in summer through the use of strategically placed vents overlapping built form.
and operable windows. In the humid subtropical climate • Employing LES or DES models to capture unsteady
of Sichuan, ventilation remains a year-round priority, airflow in complex courtyard geometries.
resulting in the development of multi-courtyard layouts • Constructing seasonal boundary condition profiles to
with elevated walkways that offer protected circulation simulate ventilation dynamics under varying climatic
paths while also helping dehumidify and cool incoming air. conditions.
• Conducting in-situ experiments or utilizing sensor-
These comparisons affirm that courtyard architecture based real-time data acquisition in occupied courtyard
is relevant for natural ventilation across diverse climates. dwellings.
However, they also highlight the need for additional
adaptation to climate. CFD simulations and field studies Such approaches can complement CFD analysis by
conducted in Gansu and Sichuan have revealed varying identifying perceived, rather than simulated, comfort
stack flow behaviors due to differences in topography mismatches that trigger user feedback in performance
and humidity. The performance of traditional courtyard assessments. It is therefore recommended that future
designs in these provinces not only validates their research on the ventilation performance of traditional
continued relevance but also suggests the need to integrate and modern courtyard designs rely on the convergence
additional strategies into future sustainable architectural of digital simulation, empirical validation, and occupant
developments in Inner Mongolia. experience.

5.7. Limitations and future improvements in CFDs 5.8. Practical performance and occupant experience
application The effectiveness of natural ventilation strategies in
While CFD simulation remains an effective tool for courtyard houses relies on residents’ interaction with the
analyzing natural ventilation, understanding its limitations space, rather than on simulation-based models. Post-

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 13 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.7226