Performance Assessment of Passive Heating and Cooling Techniques for Underground Shelter in Equatorial Climate

Azfarizal Mukhtar; Khai ChingNg; Mohd Zamri Yusof; Wah Yen Tey; Lit Ken Tan

Authors

Azfarizal Mukhtar Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Khai ChingNg Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga,43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Mohd Zamri Yusof Centre for Fluid Dynamics, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Putrajaya Campus, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang,Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Wah Yen Tey Departmentof Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UCSI University,1, Jalan Puncak Menara Gading, Taman Connaught, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lit Ken Tan Takasago i-Kohza, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Underground Shelter, CFD, Soil Temperature, Comfort Temperature

Abstract

Underground shelter serves as a specialized building structure that can provide either heating or cooling to occupants during different climates depending on the requirements. In this study, the CFD model of the 3D underground shelter was simulated at different seasons of the year in Malaysia. Initially, the soil temperature distributions at various depths were numerically investigated using the Kasuda Model; this model showed that at a depth of more than 10 m, the soil temperature remains constant. The soil thermal properties were considered in our numerical model simulated using ANSYS Fluent. The CFD model was firstly validated with the published experimental data, before it was used to simulate the passive heating and cooling operations within the underground shelter. The results indicated that the temperature of the underground shelter ranged between 27.80°Cand 32.10°Cfrom day to night. This assessment was evaluated in the coldest and warmest months of the year. Finally, the simulated room temperatures were compared against the standard Malaysian comfort temperature. It was found that natural ventilation alone could not assure a good thermal comfort level within the underground shelter.