The Effects of Central Courtyard’s Geometric Form of the Hot and Dry Settlements in Kashan on the Airflow Passing by the Walls and Floor: Case Study-Kashan City

Abstract

One way to achieve high energy efficiency in buildings and a reliable architectural system is to use the experiences of local architecture. In this connection, the central courtyard is an element that was used in the past to create comfort in the hot and dry climates of Kashan, Iran. A large part of the literature in the past has focused on this space and investigated factors such as height, length, and presence of water in the courtyard, which are directly related to the studied space. This study addresses the dynamic behavior of air in the courtyard under the effects of its geometric form and the airflow passing by its walls and floor to ventilate the space, aiming to increase efficiency. The Energy Plus analyzes this component, and Open Studio software and the research uses the descriptive-analytical method to investigate the findings. It is concluded that air circulation is best met by an airflow loop inside the courtyard in the central courtyard and it was ultimately revealed that the central courtyard priority per the geometric form is the oval with rectangular being the next. The circular, hexagonal and trapezoidal shapes of the yard have been shown to understand better the movement of the wind adjacent to the bottom of the yard (south-to-north) and the flow of the upper layer (north-to-south).