Influence of Natural Convection Ventilation of the Space Between the Roof and the False Ceiling on the Distribution of the Temperature in a Room

Abstract

Buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, so improving their energy efficiency can significantly mitigate their environmental impact. Designing buildings to take advantage of natural ventilation can be one way of improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. The purpose of this experimental work is to compare the thermal behavior of pitched and flat roofs, as well as the effect of natural convection ventilating of both types of roofs on the evolution of temperature in a room with dimensions of (750×750×870 mm3), chipboard sidewalls and floor, and reinforced concrete ceiling (slab). A plasterboard, playing the role of a false ceiling, divides the room into a “living” space and a ventilated space delimited by the upper ceiling. The upper face of the slab is subjected to a constant heat flow. The ventilated space is ventilated by natural convection through windows placed in two opposite walls. Temperature measurements are provided by thermocouples. The results show that natural convection ventilation of the space between the roof and the false ceiling has a positive effect for both types of roofs, but it is better for the pitched roof.