Temperature and Air Flow Patterns in Attic Roofs
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 3
Abstract
Understanding temperature and airflow patterns in an attic roof helps to identify the sections of the roof where moisture damage and roofing material durability problems can be expected. In this paper, the temperature distribution and the airflow patterns inside an attic space in a climate that can be characterized with cold winter and hot summer periods are discussed. In the study, transient boundary conditions were applied, and the dynamic responses of a typical attic roof, including the flow patterns, attic air and roof sheathing temperatures, ventilation rates, and heating and cooling loads, are presented. These findings can be used to understand the airflow pattern and how it can be affected by an incoming wind speed and solar gain.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program, the Home Protection Office (HPO), and the School of Construction and the Environment at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
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© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 14, 2016
Accepted: Mar 8, 2017
Published online: Jun 22, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Nov 22, 2017
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