Experimental assessment and modelling of the performance of an open joint ventilated façade during actual operating conditions in Mediterranean climate

In this work, the performance of a real ventilated façade has been investigated both experimentally and numerically. The studied façade is south oriented and belongs to a building located in Almeria, a city in the South of Spain with warm Mediterranean climate. Experimental data, based on temperature, heat fluxes and incident radiation on the façade have been collected during one year. The experimental data have been used to analyse the energy performance of the façade during the summer and the winter periods. The results show that in warm climates with high levels of solar radiation, the ventilated façade can play an important role in reducing the heating and cooling thermal loads as long as the outdoor temperatures are not extreme. Additionally, a model based on fluid dynamic simulation techniques is proposed. The comparison with experimental data shows the importance of including the reflected radiation from the ground in the thermal modelling of the façade. The proposed model can predict temperatures and heat fluxes to the room with deviations lower than 10%.

► Fluid dynamic and thermal behaviour of a real open joint ventilated façade.
► Experimental data (T °C, heat fluxes, and radiation collected during one year).
► Experimental data set has been complemented with thermography photos.
► Simulations based on CFD have been made. A 2D simplified CFD model is proposed.
► Results on typical summer and winter days are presented compared and discussed.