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Abstract Traditional observation analysis techniques are widely used by researchers to analyze public spaces, in terms of visibility, and movement patterns. This method enables the researcher to have realistic results, however it depends mainly on the researcher's views. The main aim of the research is to reach a more reliable method for evaluating and analyzing connectivity by integrating traditional observation techniques with a more accurate analysis technique, like Depthmap software analysis. The study highlights the importance of applying this technique along with observation method to assist and validate the results. The research was conducted by applying the two analysis techniques on two atria, inside "City Stars Mall" shopping center, located in Cairo city. Both atria are similar, however, the first atrium has a larger scale, while the second has a smaller scale. Results show that Depthmap analysis technique is better in smaller scaled atrium spaces, while observation is more realistic in larger scaled spaces. Each technique has its advantages over the other. However, the paper proves that in order to reach a clear and accurate analysis, both techniques must be applied together for accurate and reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • CFD simulations were carried out to investigate the smoke management in a mall. • The smoke layer height, smoke mean temperature, and mean soot density were studied. • The material of the fire source is wood with total heat release rate 3.65 MW. • Fifteen simulations were carried out and an optimum scenario was reached. Abstract This paper shows a numerical investigation on smoke management techniques inside a large building. Fifteen numerical simulations were carried out using fire dynamic simulator FDS software. The effect of adding a mechanical exhaust louver on the roof inside the building is studied. This was carried out by varying the exhaust ACH and the configuration of the exhaust openings. Also, the effect of injecting fresh air into the building was examined by investigating the effect of changing the make-up air ACH and the location of the make-up air. All cases were analyzed by studying the smoke layer height, mean soot density and the mean temperature of smoke. It was observed that the smoke hazard decreases by increasing ACH, using multiple exhaust points, and adding make-up air. As compared to no smoke management, this enhancement reaches 71.18% for the smoke layer, 31.6% lowering the average temperature, and 38.4% decreasing the average soot density. These results were achieved when six opposed supply louvers and one exhaust louver were used for the smoke management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses annual energy performance of atrium type hotel building in Belgrade. The objective is to examine the impact of the atrium on the hotel building’s energy demands for space heating and cooling. Integrated approach through numerical simulations that include Belgrade climate data and thermal comfort parameters, indicates an optimal model of hotel building with atrium for this area. Building energy simulation is carried out using EnergyPlus simulation engine, as a basic tool in the process of building energy optimization. The methodological approach includes the creation of a hypothetical model of an atrium type hotel building, numerical simulation of energy performances of several design alternatives of the hotel building with atrium, and comparative analysis of the obtained results. The main task of analysis is to change certain parameters in the particular model (for example, building structure, orientation, etc.) and to observe how the changes influence energy performance of the building. The goal of this research is to show that the atrium contributes to the heating and cooling energy savings in the rest of the building, but also that the atrium itself demands a lot of energy for its air-conditioning. The most sustainable solution should be to cover energy demands for atrium by using the renewable energy sources. In this case, the atrium can contribute to the energy efficiency of the hotel building in Belgrade climatic conditions, thus reducing its negative impact on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes an atrium as the object of study, according to the design parameters of the space size and air conditioning, the model of stratified air conditioning is established. It used FLUENT to simulate the air flow structure and thermal comfort of the stratified air conditioning under the winter heating condition, and the results were analyzed. The results show that setting the radiant floor heating is beneficial to control the heat convection and the vertical temperature gradient can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the effect of winter stratified air conditioning can be achieved. From the view of comfort, the middle air supply is better than the two side air supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most lucrative renewable energy sources for supplying energy in future decades is the solar energy. Solar energy can be utilized through both active and inactive systems. Inactive solar systems are the ones which collect and store solar energy without the use of energy-consuming devises such as pumps or controllers, so that the energy can be used at the time of need. This causes the amount of energy consumption in different parts of a building to reach their point of minimum. There are different methods for the utilization of the solar energy in an inactive way, namely solar windows, solar greenhouse method, Trombe wall and aqua wall, atriums, and pools on the roof tops. In this paper, the most common methods of using solar energy in inactive ways, which are atriums, Trombe wall, and solar greenhouse are analyzed. The method of the research is descriptive-analytic so that with better knowledge, modern designs can gain full benefit from these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is dedicated to the creation of the atriums in the historical centre of Saint-Petersburg for improving the quality of courtyards. Since 19 century Saint-Petersburg was built mostly with brick buildings along the perimeter of allotments with founding one or several courtyards. “Well-like” courtyards of historical buildings of Saint-Petersburg have typically a lack of illumination and insolation, are badly ventilated and are often transformed into parking lots for inhabitants. Possibility of glassing of “well-like” courtyards is analyzed from the viewpoint of historical buildings protection regulation of Saint-Petersburg and norms of insolation and illumination of the dwelling buildings, basing on the actual experience in the creation of atriums in Saint-Petersburg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In subtropical Hong Kong, a certain amount of electricity is used to create visually comfortable interior spaces through electric lighting, which is the second major electricity-consuming item in commercial buildings, accounting for 20–30% of total electricity use. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation has many adverse effects on the environment. Daylighting is an important and useful strategy for enhancing visual comfort and reducing the need for the electricity consumed by light fittings. The rational use of daylight through tools such as photoelectric lighting controls can effectively reduce buildings’ electricity consumption and the related pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Daylighting design techniques are often best demonstrated via field measurements that provide reliable operational and energy performance data for establishing design guidelines. An atrium provides an environmentally controlled indoor public space that introduces daylight into the hearts of large buildings. In circulation areas such as corridors, people expect the way ahead to be sufficiently lit and daylight-linked lighting controls can deliver excellent energy savings. This paper presents the daylighting and energy performance of an atrium space using daylight-linked lighting controls. The cost, energy and environmental issues related to various daylight illuminances are estimated and design implications are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper analyzes and studies the applicability of video image, infrared and ultraviolet/infrared (UV/IR) flame detectors for high and large spaces, atrium in particular, and a test simulating the actual working conditions and typical interference from ambient light is designed based on the operation principles of flame detectors and their operation limits to offer important testing methods and data for the research on applications of flame detectors to large space locations and fire prevention design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper the performance of various turbulence models potentially suitable for the prediction of indoor air flow and temperature distributions in an atrium space was evaluated in a systematic way. The investigation tested these models for various thermal conditions in atria of different geometrical configuration in two existing buildings using the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modeling approach. The RANS turbulence models that were tested include the one-equation model (the Spallart–Allamaras) and two-equation models (the standard k-ɛ, RNG k-ɛ, realizable k-ɛ, standard k-ω and SST k-ω models). The radiation exchange between the surfaces of the atrium space was considered using the Discrete Transfer Radiation Model (DTRM). The resultant steady state governing equations were solved using a commercial CFD solver FLUENT. The numerical results obtained for a particular time of the day were compared with the experimental data available. Relatively good agreement between the experimental and CFD predictions was obtained for each model. However, from the results obtained, it was found that the performance of two-equation turbulence models is better than one-equation model and among the two-equation models, the SST k-ω model showed relatively better prediction capability of the indoor environment in an atrium space than k-ɛ-models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Atrium of student union is a typical crowded place, it is difficult to achieve within the fire and smoke-protect separation. Once smoke entered, the security evacuation of personnel was threatened by rapidly spread smoke. In this paper, the atrium smoke exhaust design was researched, first introduces the method of smoke control in atrium buildings, research Smoke control system design theory with engineering examples, using FDS for atrium smoke control the numerical simulation, calculate a variety of exhaust design simulation results was calculated, enhanced the scientific and economy of smoke design through comparing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With the rapid economic development of our country, the speed of city construction is accelerated and more proposed development with super high and super large space construction has appeared, hence the relevant fire problems are still a challenge. It''s acknowledged that performance-based design provides more reasonable and innovative design strategies for fire engineers. The CFD simulations are always executed to validate the feasibility of performance - based design. Current fire safety engineering design and fire engineering researches are focused on the fire generating and smoke migrating in the building. Seldom consideration is given on how the natural wind of outside the building affects the smoke migration pattern. However, it will be unrealistic that ignore the natural wind factor in smoke control design. Especially, it will be unacceptable in the natural wind smoke control design which utilizes the natural wind to exhaust smoke out of the building. As well as more investigations will be required in the mechanical smoke control design. The paper integrates the PHOENICS which is the general purpose CFD software with the statistic data about the natural wind from the specific area/city to analyze how the natural wind can impact on the fire and smoke generated in the atrium of a large space building, so as to provide some references for the future smoke control designs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the energy performance of a central atrium is investigated and compared with the energy performance of a courtyard with the same geometric proportions. The atrium and the courtyard design used for the analysis are square in plan and surrounded by the building on all four sides. The glazing type and percentage for the courtyard walls and atrium skylight are varied in the analysis. Weather data from four cities representative of climatic conditions of cold, temperate, hot-humid and hot-dry were used. The results show that, in general, the open courtyard building exhibits a better energy performance for the shorter buildings. As the building height increases, however, at some point the enclosed atrium exhibits a better energy performance. This “break even” point for the number of stories depends on different factors like glazing and climate parameters discussed above. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports an investigation on the scenarios of the spill plume and the resultant natural filling in a full-scale atrium mock-up due to a retail shop fire. The study includes two aspects, i.e., the full-scale experiment and the numerical simulation. A spill plume model is proposed to predict the characteristic properties of the plume development in the atrium under a retail shop fire. Furthermore, to accurately predict the shop fire in the atrium, an improved zone model is developed combining the transport lag time model and the spill plume model. Besides validating the developed model by experiments, the case is also simulated by the established zone model, i.e., CFAST code, and the computational fluid dynamics model, i.e., FDS code. By both physical and numerical experiments, the process of natural smoke filling and the temperature rise in the atrium are investigated and well understood. It is found that a typical spill plume contains three regimes, i.e., the curved section out of the retail shop door, the line plume in the near field, and the axisymmetric plume in the far field. Predictions from the proposed empirical model for the spill plume and the resultant improved zone model compare favorably with the experiments. The study indicates that the atrium becomes very dangerous due to such shop fire if no smoke control employed. The ability of mechanical exhaust system in the atrium to mitigate the hazard of a retail shop fire is investigated as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents the field-measured energy performance of two common types of daylight-linked lighting control systems, continuous dimming and automatic on/off installed in two existing large atrium spaces located in Canada. The daylighting performance was evaluated based on the daylight contribution to the indoor illuminance and the amount of electrical lighting displaced by daylighting via the daylight-linked lighting control systems. Measured daylighting contribution to the space indicates that significant lighting energy savings can be achieved in atrium spaces if the daylight-linked lighting control system is appropriately selected, installed and commissioned throughout its existence. Results extrapolated from measurements collected during summer and winter indicate that as installed, the continuous dimming lighting control system provides 46% annual savings in electrical lighting consumption, while the automatic on/off saves between 11and 17% in lighting energy. These savings account for 68% of the lighting energy consumed during main occupancy for the continuous dimming system, and 31.5% for the automatic on/off. Operation irregularities such as a reduced dimming linearity and an incorrect adjustment of the phases of the dimming control system, as well as the inadequate location of the photocell controlling the automatic on/off lighting system, the improper maintenance of the skylight during winter and the oversizing of the lighting system reduced the energy efficiency of the lighting control systems by 30–65%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]