This research grows out of a desire to find a Solar-Wind Generated Roof Ventilation System for low-cost
dwellings located in high building density urban areas where horizontal air movement is restricted. A general
purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD-ACE+) program was utilised to explore, analyse and develop a
roof model based on its aerodynamics and thermal performance to obtain optimum wind pressure and
temperature differences.
Comparisons were made with physical scale models.
The research found that a roof prototype with inclinations of 15 o and 45 o , curved ridge with cap, integrated roof chimney, black-matte steel sheet cover, combined with a perforated under floor channel (floor tunnel), can generate evenly distributed vertical cross ventilation within the occupant’s zone. The created indoor air velocity was in the range of 0.15 to 0.7 m/s, which is considered to be sufficient to produce a physiological cooling effect. As an addition, the CFD program has proved to be a reliable, user-friendly and helpful research tool.