AERODYNAMIC MICROCLIMATE

DYNAMIC MATERIAL SYSTEM

Aerodynamic Microclimate

AA Emtech
A manifesto into the research of modular construction techniques in a mid rise construction
and control of Heterogeneous interior microclimate in a multiprogram based mid-rise construction typology through acontrol based dynamic material system.
Location: London,UK Type: Research Time: 2014 Status: Completed
Team: Yu Jinjing, Marsall Ma, Calga Gurbay, Prajish Vinayak
Architecture’s primary purpose is sheltering while maintaining human comfort within surrounding circumstances. In the case of human comfort, continuous change of natural and man-made parameters at different scales creates the necessity of dynamic response. Being designed for generating solutions, air conditioning systems controlling isolated inner spaces were a significant method until today. In light of conducted methods and techniques such as optimization through computational fluid dynamics, natural ventilation rate calculations, this dissertation suggests wind-induced cross ventilation as better alternative in manipulating interior microclimates in response to occupancy fluxes. The argument presented here investigates an envelope generated through evolutionary form-finding.and is overlaid with an hybrid dynamic component system which together delivers a holistic performance driven architecture.
The dynamic part of the component was derived from the concept of flower petals which have an overlapping area that could be used to prevent the vibration caused by the wind. The composite part of the dynamic “petals” consisted of a plywood layer which was with flexing cut pattern. Two sets of shape memory alloy wires that respectively control the opening and closure of the petals was wrapped with the insulation sleeves. The wires were connected to the low voltage power supply and attached to the plywood layers through a thin silicon patch which blocked the opening areas of the patterns while insulating the heat generated by the electric.

The 150 mm shape memory alloy was heat treated under 500-800 degree to get an initial shape of curvatures of half circle, a 3/4 circle and a whole circle [Figure 8]. Moreover, according to the physical equation, the force that makes the plywood to deform equals the change in length of the plywood which is determined by the bending curvature times the Young’s Modulus. It was determined by the density of the cut pattern times the cross section area. The cross section area was determined by the thickness of the plywood divided by the original length. Through the different cut pattern, more curved shape was achieved and it was predicted that about 16 pieces of shape memory alloy with 0.8 mm diameter made the 6 mm plywood to bend to the desired curved shape under real circumstances.
In specific climate conditions, human comfort can be achieved by natural ventilation through utilizing envelope as a responsive interface. The methodology for achieving this goal aimed to get benefit from current knowledge on aerodynamics and development of a dynamic component system works with these principles to enhance the human comfort. The type of research is quantitative. The project sought to unite the architectural, environmental and structural performance of the design through the introduced methodology. Natural ventilation principles method enhanced the knowledge on the basic notions and concepts of wind-induced cross ventilation. The mathematical formulations of  these principles were noted down to be used in generation and evaluation of the design development steps. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method formed the basis of the project. This method was including the physical air flow imitation through computation and was utilized when simulation of air behaviour needed. Evolutionary computation drew upon the strategies derived from CFD trends. Mimic the emergent aspect of nature through computational process was the underlying methodology in form-finding process of the design. Finite Element Analysis is based on computational process of unitizing a domain system with regard to solve complex problems. The method calibrated global geometry, physical and aerodynamic restrictions of component and global structural performance in design experiments. Computational Control System consisted of the sensory tools and computational rule-based system. The method efforted to control material phenomena dynamically for heterogenous instant needs of different space qualities. Hybrid material system method included the possible application of plywood and SMA wires.