Numerical study on the effect of elevator movement on pressure difference between vestibule and living room in high-rise buildings

Abstract

In this study, we experimentally and numerically investigated the effect of elevator movement on the pressure difference between vestibule and living room regulated by the smoke control system in a high-rise building. The elevator and smoke control systems using supplied pressure dampers are considered one of the most important systems for safe evacuation. However, the pressure field and flow rate are strongly disrupted by elevator movement. Thus, they can affect the performance of smoke control systems and hinder evacuation. The experimental results of this study are used to validate the results of the numerical study when elevator is moving at low speed or is stationary. Then, the effect of elevator movement on the pressure difference between the vestibule and living room, which is controlled by the smoke control system, is investigated numerically using ANSYS CFX. The elevator speed is increased from 10 to 70 m/s, corresponding to the real elevator speed increase of 1.5 to 10 m/s based on Reynolds similarity. It is found that the higher the elevator speed, the greater the pressure difference between the vestibule and living room. This shows that the airflow rate should be actively changed by considering the location of the elevator and its speed. The empirical correlation between elevator movement and pressure difference is derived.