Comparative analysis of natural and mechanical ventilation strategies for glass-partitioned office spaces using CFD and empirical validation

Ensuring optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) in office environments is critical for maintaining occupant well-being and productivity. This study aims to compare natural and mechanical ventilation strategies in glass-partitioned office spaces to evaluate their impact on thermal comfort and CO2 concentrations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted and validated using empirical field data collected from an office in Izmir, located in a Mediterranean climate. The research focuses on understanding the impact of seasonal variations, ventilation methods, and inlet vent dimensions on thermal comfort and IAQ, specifically CO2 concentrations. A glass-partitioned workspace within the office was monitored, and the collected data were replicated in the CFD model for validation. After validation, new scenarios were developed using a 3 × 2 × 2 unbalanced full factorial design. The findings reveal that mechanical ventilation, particularly when combined with larger inlet vent diameters, significantly improves CO2 levels and thermal comfort, with CO2 concentrations reduced from 1679 ppm to 639 ppm and thermal comfort levels nearing neutral sensation (PMV: 0.01) during summer. These findings highlight the necessity of higher fresh air supply velocities with larger vent dimensions to address the challenges of maintaining optimal IAQ and thermal comfort in glass-partitioned office environments. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on open-plan offices, this research specifically investigates ventilation challenges in glass-partitioned office spaces, providing a deeper understanding of air distribution and thermal comfort optimization. The results provide guidance for building designers and engineers aiming to enhance occupant well-being and productivity in partitioned open-plan office spaces.