Wind driven natural flow through the different types of openings on the façade - An experimental investigation

The paper presents experimental measurements of airflow through different types of façade openings. A mockup of a façade with replaceable window openings was built. A set of axial fans reproduced natural wind. The wind velocity was recorded by an anemometer placed in front of the façade and the wind pressure was recorded by a set of pressure sensors. An anemometer assembly recorded the air velocity distributions for different façade openings. Measurements were carried out for various wind velocities and wind angles. The acquired data allowed the performance of all tested façade openings to be determined. The discharge coefficient was strongly dependent on the window type and the presence of metal openwork grating. The lowest values of the discharge coefficient, 0.38 and 0.24 for perpendicular and slanting winds, respectively, were measured for a pull-out window with a grating when the window sash was extended to 0.05 m.