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Steel Designers Manual - TheBestFriend.org

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This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The <strong>Steel</strong> Construction Institute on 12/2/2007<br />

To buy a hardcopy version of this document call 01344 872775 or go to http://shop.steelbiz.<strong>org</strong>/<br />

<strong>Steel</strong> <strong>Designers</strong>' <strong>Manual</strong> - 6th Edition (2003)<br />

218 Other structural applications of steel<br />

5.5.4 Environmental engineering<br />

5.5.4.1 General<br />

There is an intimate relationship between thermal physics, smoke ventilation and<br />

structural form in atria, and the design of the larger structural shape is influenced<br />

by them. In addition, the materials used will have to meet the fire and physics<br />

criteria to perform as required.<br />

Environmentally, an atrium can be used as a buffer zone between indoors and<br />

outdoors. This zone can be exposed to the external environment, providing protection<br />

from wind, rain, sun, etc., and/or a controlled environment similar to the indoor<br />

conditions of the building.<br />

Important considerations in atrium design include:<br />

• Characteristic height for stack ventilation<br />

• Areas of glazing – optimization of natural light to the space beneath<br />

• Need for temperature-controlled conditions<br />

• Risk of condensation (winter) – heated or unheated<br />

• Spatial separation (environmentally) from internal spaces<br />

• Ventilation manually openable or BMS controlled<br />

• BMS ventilation control – temperature or wind direction sensitive<br />

• Shading (internal, external), material options<br />

• Smoke reservoirs.<br />

5.5.4.2 Shading<br />

In the atrium, heat transfer by radiation is important, and shading systems may be<br />

required to reduce direct solar radiation and allow diffuse solar radiation for natural<br />

light. The type of shading – internal or external – will usually be related to its<br />

aesthetics, performance and maintenance costs. Shading can enhance stack effect by<br />

absorbing solar heat and contributing to buoyancy driven flows.<br />

5.5.4.3 Ventilation<br />

Stack ventilation is used when cross ventilation is not possible and single sided ventilation<br />

cannot provide sufficient air change rates. Strong temperature gradients can<br />

occur in atria, stack effect being enhanced by wind forces in some cases. Temperature<br />

differences can be used both during the day and during the night to enhance<br />

night cooling.<br />

The atrium needs to extend above the height of the stack so that the neutral

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