Description

This project models internal airflow in a building atrium using ANSYS Fluent. Atriums—rooted in Roman architecture and now often multi-story with glazed roofs—provide daylight and ventilation for interior spaces. In this case, a cylindrical central atrium admits air at 2 m/s and 101,325 Pa through a lower inlet, with exhaust through an upper outlet.

Methodology

The 3D geometry of the complex and its cylindrical atrium is built in SpaceClaim. Meshing is performed in ANSYS Meshing with an unstructured grid of ~2,500,000 elements, locally refined near interior boundaries to better capture gradients.

Conclusion

The simulation examines pressure and velocity distributions and overall airflow behavior within the atrium. Outputs include 2D/3D contours of pressure and velocity, plus pathlines and velocity vectors, enabling identification of zones with favorable comfort conditions.