Managing Stack Effect in Tall Buildings Copyright© 2019

Managing Stack Effect in Tall Buildings

MANAGING STACK EFFECT IN TALL BUILDINGS

American Institute of Architects

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Course Information

This course explores stack effect impacts in tall buildings. Stack effect represents an uncontrolled energy loss and can cause irritating noise, infiltration of humidity or odor, drafts and thermal discomfort, etc. Viewers will have an increased awareness of how to control and manage stack effect through passive strategies.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe physics of stack effect and what it means for sustainable, efficient building design and occupant comfort

2. Discuss how to control location of neutral plane, and its importance for stack effect and natural ventilation

3. Articulate role of ventilation system in managing stack effect impacts

Presented By

Duncan Philips, Ph.D., P.Eng Principal

Duncan is RWDI’s Global Practice Leader for Building Performance, heading up a talented pool of building performance engineers and scientists as they develop climate-responsive design strategies for individual buildings and masterplans. Clients benefit from Duncan’s ability to solve tough building physics problems by analyzing air flow and heat transfer phenomena.

Duncan has been involved in the design of tall and supertall buildings across the planet, in both hot and cold climates. He has assisted in stack effect mitigation for existing buildings in cities ranging from Dubai to Chicago and presented at multiple conferences on stack effect.

Agenda

1. Introduction to Stack Effect

2. Criteria for Assessment of “Problematic” Conditions

3. Locating the Neutral Plane

4. Effects of Building Pressurization

5. Managing Stack Effect in Buildings

Introduction to Stack Effect

What is Stack Effect?

It does not happen because “hot air rises” • Can exist in all buildings • Induced by buoyancy force originating from indoor-outdoor temperature differences

Winter Stack-Effect Driven Airflow

What is Stack Effect?

Benefits • Natural ventilation • True in all climate types +15 °C (60 °F) +25 °C (77 °F)

What is Stack Effect?

Stack Effect

Stack Effect Stack Effect Driving Force Issues/Impacts (Pressures) Cannot get rid of Can reduce issues and driving force impacts through design

What is Stack Effect?

Frequently asked question…

“How can I get rid of stack effect in my building?”

What is Stack Effect?

The right question…

“How can I reduce the frequency of stack effect issues/impacts in my building?”

Case Study

1999 N Broadway Denver, Colorado • 44 stories • Height: 548 ft (166 m) • Outdoor temperature: 10 °F (-12 °C) • Indoor temperature: 70 °F (21°C) • Moderately tall • Cold winter day (not extreme)

Visualizing Stack Effect in a Tall Building

Video copyright: Dave McGrail, “Stack Effect Demonstration.”

Visualizing Stack Effect in a Tall Building