Modelling Thermal Stratification in Atrium Using TAS Program and Verification of Prediction Results

Abstract

This paper reports the TAS computer simulation of the three-storey atrium in Southern China. It was an attempt to correctly model thermal stratification of a large multi-level space within the atrium using TAS program. The prediction results of modelling with blinds and without water spray, particularly indoor air and mean radiant temperatures, and roof blind surface temperature, were compared and verified with the results from the site measurement to evaluate the capability and accuracy of the developed TAS model in simulating atrium’s indoor thermal environmental performance. The simulation results have shown that TAS program tends to overestimate its prediction results. For hot and overcast day simulation, the difference in air temperature over the 24 hours between measured and predicted is in the range of 0.1 K to 1.8 K on the first floor and 0.2 K to 4.3 K on the second floor respectively. Whereas for hot and clear day simulation, the difference is in the range of 0.1 K to 1.5 K on the first floor and 0.1 K to 2.7 K on the second floor respectively. Despite moderate discrepancies between the measured and predicted results, it is evident from the study that the created TAS model is capable to model thermal stratification within multi-level atrium, with reasonably accurate results.