Optimization of Architectural Form for Thermal Comfort in Naturally Ventilated Gymnasium at Hot and Humid Climate by Orthogonal Experiment

Abstract

As the gymnasiums in subtropical region with hot and humid climate are naturally ventilated during non-competition periods, occupants exercising indoors often feel uncomfortable, especially in summer. In order to provide thermally comfortable and healthy environment for the occupants, the design on architectural form is found to be an effective solution on improving indoor thermal comfort of naturally ventilated gymnasiums. Therefore, a new perspective regarding optimization of naturally ventilated gymnasiums is proposed in the aspect of the architectural form. This paper presents the optimization of architectural form in naturally ventilated gymnasiums in which simulation and orthogonal experiment methods are combined. Through numerical simulation with FlowDesigner software, the significance of architectural form affecting indoor thermal comfort has been given, and the optimal architectural forms of naturally ventilated gymnasium are determined. The results show that the roof insulation type is the most significant factor influencing indoor thermal comfort; thus, it should be considered primarily in optimization. Moreover, the range analysis and variance analysis reveal the rankings of the factors for the gymnasium thermal comfort. In addition, it is demonstrated that the optimal gymnasium model, when compared with the initial gymnasium model, has a satisfactory effect on improving the indoor thermal comfort, as the average value of Predicted Thermal Sensation (PTS) in August decreased from 1.11 (Slightly hot) to 0.86 (Comfortable). This study provides a new insight for the designers in optimizing the architectural form of gymnasiums for achieving the indoor thermal comfort at hot and humid climate.