Kirigami-inspired wind steering for natural ventilation

Lucia Stein-Montalvo, Liuyang Ding, Marcus Hultmark, Sigrid Adriaenssens, Elie Bou-Zeid

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ensuring adequate ventilation of exterior and interior urban spaces is essential for the safety and comfort of inhabitants. Here, we examine how angled features can steer wind into areas with stagnant air, promoting natural ventilation. Using Large Eddy Simulations (LES) and wind tunnel experiments with particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements, we first examine how louvers, located at the top of a box enclosed on four sides, can improve ventilation in the presence of incoming wind. By varying louver scale, geometry, and angle, we identify a geometric regime wherein louvers capture free-stream air to create sweeping interior flow structures, increasing the Air Exchange Rate (ACH) significantly above that for an equivalent box with an open top. We then show that non-homogeneous louver orientations enhance ventilation, accommodating winds from opposing directions, and address the generalization to taller structures. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of replacing louvers with lattice-cut kirigami (“cut paper”), which forms angled chutes when stretched in one direction, and could provide a mechanically preferable solution for adaptive ventilation. Our findings for this idealized system may inform the design of retrofits for urban structures – e.g. canopies above street canyons, and “streeteries” or parklets – capable of promoting ventilation, while simultaneously providing shade.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number105667
JournalJournal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics
Volume246
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Mechanical Engineering

Keywords

  • Large Eddy Simulations
  • Natural ventilation
  • Particle image velocimetry
  • Urban flows
  • Urban geometry
  • Urban ventilation
  • Wind steering
  • Wind tunnel experiments

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Kirigami-inspired wind steering for natural ventilation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this