This paper shows that under certain conditions, multiple solutions for the flow rate exist in a natural ventilation system, induced by the non-linear interaction between buoyancy and wind forces. Under certain physical simplifications, the system is governed in steady state by a non-linear algebraic equation or a system of equations. Three examples are given here: a single-zone building with two openings, a channel with two end openings, and a two-zone building with two openings in each zone. Analytical and numerical solutions are presented.
A set of formulae for natural ventilation by thermal buoyancy is derived for a room with two opening and with a linear temperature stratification. The formulae are based on the fundamental flow equations, and they cover air velocities, temperature differences and ventilation rates in relation to opening areas, opening position, net heat input, building geometry, and temperature stratification. The temperature stratification can simply be taken into account by introducing a stratification factor E and by using the mean difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
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