Evaluation of the effectiveness of design strategies for passive ventilation in hot-humid tropical environment: A case study of the design strategies used in student hostels of university of Nigeria, enugu campus
Department of Architecture, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 400006, Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria; Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 400006, Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria
Uzuegbunam, F.O., Department of Architecture, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 400006, Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria; Chukwuali, C.B., Department of Architecture, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 400006, Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria; Mba, H.C., Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 400006, Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria
The effects of design strategies, namely: ventilation, temperature and relative humidity are usually identified for the thermal comfort they provide in any enclosed space. Incidentally, the effectiveness of the design strategies has eluded limelight for want of empirical scientific data. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of design strategies, for passive ventilation in student hostels, located in the hothumid tropical environment of South Eastern Nigeria. Objectives were to determine the difference in effectiveness of the design strategies in the student hostels of the study area; also to determine if there were significant correlations, between design strategies and passive ventilation. Accordingly, the objectives were so hypothesized. The methodology included simulations performed, with the PHOENICS-VR program. Principal component analysis, analysis of variance and correlation techniques were also used. The results confirmed significant correlations between the three design strategies and passive ventilation. Also, their effectiveness was indexed and ranked for appropriate application. © 2012 Pushpa Publishing House.