Field Study on Cross Ventilation Characteristics and Feasibility of Simulation Tools in Rural Semi-Open Spaces

Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan (ROC)

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (W.-H. Hsu), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Y.-S. Chiou).

Abstract

This study examines the microclimate and ventilation dynamics of a semi-outdoor silkworm farm in Guanshan, Taitung through field observations and ENVI-met simulations. Measurements revealed that solar radiation, vegetation shading, and structural layout play key roles in shaping the thermal environment. Notably, wind corridors enhanced natural ventilation, with midday summer wind speeds inside the farm reaching 1.5 m/s higher than the nearby open space. Daily wind speeds also exceeded those recorded at the local weather station. Complex airflow was observed, including a reversed wind pattern between north–south elevation points. Simulations showed better temperature predictions after adjusting radiation parameters, but wind speed estimates remained imprecise, particularly around vegetation and structures. The 0.5 m grid resolution may lack sufficient detail for capturing small-scale wind behaviour. These findings suggest ENVI-met requires improved input accuracy and finer resolution for reliable modelling in semi-outdoor contexts. The results offer valuable guidance for enhancing natural ventilation and thermal comfort in rural sustainable design.