The Effect of Courtyard Geometry on Airflow Regimes for Ventilation in Tropical Nigerian Environment

Abstract

Effective natural ventilation is subject to the ambient wind flow, as well as the conditions of the micro-climate and the geometry of the built structures in the environment. Architects and designers adopt the courtyard concepts for designs in hot tropical climates owing to its unique geometrical characteristics that enable the improvement of airflow required for natural ventilation. This paper presents a review of the airflow regimes within an urban settlement as well as flow regions cultivated when winds interface with courtyard buildings. The impacts of these winds are further studied against different courtyard configurations using schematic analysis based on the H/W ratios, to predict the natural ventilation potentials of various courtyard building types.