A team of researchers at Nanchang University in China has conducted an innovative study, drawing inspiration from the natural world, specifically from the ventilation systems of termite mounds, to address the issue of internal ventilation and temperature regulation in high-rise buildings without relying on energy-intensive mechanical equipment. The core idea of this research is to explore a building design that promotes natural air circulation, inspired by the chamber structure of termite mounds, thereby maintaining a comfortable interior environment without increasing energy consumption.
The research team first delved into the structure of termite mounds, understanding how their chambers and vents effectively regulate internal temperature and air circulation. They then designed several high-rise building models incorporating special structures simulating the ventilation chambers of termite mounds. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation technology, they evaluated the performance of these models under natural ventilation conditions, especially examining the impact of adding one or two extra ventilation chambers on the internal air circulation of the buildings.
The experimental results showed that incorporating these termite mound-inspired ventilation chambers indeed improved the internal air flow of buildings, with designs featuring two additional chambers performing best in terms of promoting air circulation and enhancing indoor comfort. These findings not only provide new directions for sustainable design in high-rise buildings but also showcase how solutions from the natural world can address environmental challenges faced by modern architecture.
This study highlights the importance of observing the natural world and drawing inspiration from it. By mimicking the ventilation mechanisms found in nature, we can not only increase the energy efficiency of urban buildings but also create more comfortable and healthier living and working environments. This interdisciplinary approach to innovation paves new ways for the green and sustainable development of high-rise buildings, proving the immense potential of nature’s design principles and technologies in solving contemporary engineering problems.
For a deeper understanding and further details on this discovery, you can refer to the original article on Biomimetics | Free Full-Text | Simulation and Optimization Study on the Ventilation Performance of High-Rise Buildings Inspired by the White Termite Mound Chamber Structure (mdpi.com)