University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2013-01-18 An Innovative Investigation of the Thermal Environment inside the Reconstructed Caldaria of Two Ancient Roman Baths Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Oetelaar, Taylor Oetelaar, T. (2013). An Innovative Investigation of the Thermal Environment inside the Reconstructed Caldaria of Two Ancient Roman Baths Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24900 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/435 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY An Innovative Investigation of the Thermal Environment inside the Reconstructed Caldaria of Two Ancient Roman Baths Using Computational Fluid Dynamics by Taylor Anthony Oetelaar A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING CALGARY, ALBERTA JANUARY, 2013 © Taylor Anthony Oetelaar 2013 Abstract The overarching premise of this dissertation is to use engineering principles and classical archaeological data to create knowledge that benefits both disciplines: transdisciplinary research. Specifically, this project uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze the thermal environment inside one room of two Roman bath buildings. By doing so, this research reveals the temperature distribution and velocity profiles inside the room of interest. One of the first preliminary necessities was an accurate measure of the heat input into the room from the radiant heating system. The best way to do this was experimentally. The results showed no dependence on the plenum temperature. The measured convective heat transfer coefficient was between 6.2 and 7.6W/m2·°C, with an average of 7.0W/m2·°C. The CFD analyses begin with a 2-D assessment of the relationship between the windows and doorways of the rooms of interest and their heat retention. The former reinforced the standpoint that the windows had to have glazing to maintain an adequate bathing temperature. The latter suggested that the reason why many doorways were narrow was thermal. The first of two 3-D case studies is a replica small bath for the television series NOVA. The results illustrated that the vault traps the hottest air leaving the region inhabited by the patrons cooler than the average of 35°C. The data also showed that the open doorway heavily influenced the environment of the room. This influence seemed misleading and ii the best way to test this was to add the adjoining room and observe the flow patterns. The results of this revealed that the exchange between rooms decreased and the temperature in the room of interest rose to 44°C. The addition of a cloth door increased the temperature to 49°C. The second case study—the Baths of Caracalla in Rome—is significantly larger making the simulation of the entire volume impossible. The results showed a greater transitory phase which is due to the self-contained nature of the model. The data also demonstrated a minimal response to the change of season but a dramatic shift with a change to the representation of the sun. iii Preface This dissertation merges the two seemingly opposing fields of mechanical engineering and classical archaeology. I am a mechanical engineer by training but have attempted to balance and explain the terminology, methodology, and results in such a way that scholars from both fields can understand them. iv Acknowledgements I begin by thanking my co-supervisors Dr. Clifton Johnston, Dr. Daryl Caswell (2006- 2010), and Dr. David Wood (2010-2013). When I first approached Drs. Johnston and Caswell with this idea of joining engineering with classical archaeology, they did not slam their doors. Instead they sat down and encouraged me to find a way to make this unique topic work. When Dr. Caswell had to step down because of health issues and Dr. Johnston transferred to Dalhousie University, Dr. Wood was gracious enough to take over the supervisory role even though he had not met me. All three gave me enough latitude and freedom to explore many issues but were there if I needed assistance. The next people I thank are my Greek and Roman Studies committee members, Dr. Lisa Hughes and Dr. John Humphrey. When I took Dr. Hughes’ Greek Art and Architecture class in my fourth year of undergrad, she always answered my (many) questions. She never stopped. Dr. Humphrey was patient with me as I struggled with my Latin translations. Both helped as I grappled with a new field and tried to gain fluency. Plus they were never afraid to ask me to clarify something if I started using too much engineering jargon. This project would not have been possible without the funding support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Alberta Ingenuity Fund. I thank Dr. Alexandra Lesk, her husband Paul Blomerus, and Dr. Marcelo Epstein for their encouragement in the early stages of this project. When I started asking if there was v need for applying engineering to classical archaeology, they were steadfast in their answer: yes. I also thank Dr. Richard Levy, Dr. Milo Nikolic, and Dr. Michael Roth for their continued support throughout this process. Much thanks to the staff of Mechanical Engineering—particularly Jim McNeely, Steven Crocker, Ann Tikk, and Nareeza Khan—and Kent Paulson for all the technical and administrative support. I thank the faculty, staff, and graduate students of Greek and Roman Studies for welcoming an engineer into their midst. A great deal of this dissertation would not have been possible without WestGrid, the High Performance Computing at the University of Calgary and the technical staff running these systems, particularly Doug Phillips and Anne Traynor. Thank you for putting up with my sometimes idiotic questions. I would be remised if I did not thank the people of the Disability Resource Centre—specifically Merlin Keillor and Judy Smith—and my aide Dmitry Mekinulov. Finally, but certainly most importantly, a huge thank you to my family: my brothers, Garrett and Matt, and my parents, Gerald and Joy. Without their constant support and encouragement, this entire endeavour would not have been possible. With the seemingly never-ending delays and setbacks that plagued this project, it was always nice to know that I had such a loving family at home. I have to give additional recognition to my parents for instilling the belief in me that nothing is beyond my capabilities. vi Dedication Inspired by LdV vii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Preface................................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................v Dedication ......................................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures and Illustrations ........................................................................................ xii List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature ...........................................................xx Epigraph ........................................................................................................................... xxi CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................1 CHAPTER 2 — THE FOUNDATIONS .............................................................................7 2.1 Background Information ............................................................................................7 2.1.1 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) ....................................7 2.1.2 Introduction to Ancient Roman Baths .............................................................10 2.1.2.1 The Heating System of Roman Baths ....................................................13 2.1.2.2 The NOVA Baths ...................................................................................15 2.1.2.3 The Baths of Caracalla ...........................................................................16 2.2 Literature Reviews ...................................................................................................22 2.2.1 Transdisciplinary Literature Review ...............................................................23 2.2.2 Engineering Literature Review ........................................................................26 2.2.3 Classical Archaeology Literature Review on Baths ........................................35 2.2.4 Gaps in the Knowledge Base ...........................................................................45