Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings

The building drainage system (BDS) is a critical building component and must be designed to protect public health by maintaining safe and hygienic conditions within the indoor environment. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of other wastewater-related issues, such as the spread of anti-m...

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Main Authors: Michael Gormley, Sarwar Mohammed, David A. Kelly, David P. Campbell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1725
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author Michael Gormley
Sarwar Mohammed
David A. Kelly
David P. Campbell
author_facet Michael Gormley
Sarwar Mohammed
David A. Kelly
David P. Campbell
author_sort Michael Gormley
collection DOAJ
description The building drainage system (BDS) is a critical building component and must be designed to protect public health by maintaining safe and hygienic conditions within the indoor environment. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of other wastewater-related issues, such as the spread of anti-microbial resistance (AMR), place the BDS at the centre of the public health agenda. To understand the complex characteristics of the BDS and its performance, the numerical simulation model AIRNET was used to model whole system responses to discharging events. In this study, the model’s effectiveness and accuracy were evaluated through its application in a case study system representative of a real-world tall building. Data reflecting actual conditions were collected using the drainage test rig at the National Lift Tower (NLT) in Northampton. The data show a strong correlation between the measured and modelled air pressures in the system over time and along the drainage stack height. More importantly, a sample dataset representing various ventilation configurations, flow rates, and water usage combinations shows a strong linear relationship between the simulated and measured pressure values. These results confirm the accuracy and reliability of the AIRNET model in modelling the BDS, even when applied to high-rise buildings. This is crucial for addressing drainage challenges in high-rise building design.
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spelling doaj-art-2a44071419644b26b778bb242d07f2a72025-08-20T01:56:17ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-05-011510172510.3390/buildings15101725Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall BuildingsMichael Gormley0Sarwar Mohammed1David A. Kelly2David P. Campbell3School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society (EGIS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society (EGIS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society (EGIS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society (EGIS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKThe building drainage system (BDS) is a critical building component and must be designed to protect public health by maintaining safe and hygienic conditions within the indoor environment. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of other wastewater-related issues, such as the spread of anti-microbial resistance (AMR), place the BDS at the centre of the public health agenda. To understand the complex characteristics of the BDS and its performance, the numerical simulation model AIRNET was used to model whole system responses to discharging events. In this study, the model’s effectiveness and accuracy were evaluated through its application in a case study system representative of a real-world tall building. Data reflecting actual conditions were collected using the drainage test rig at the National Lift Tower (NLT) in Northampton. The data show a strong correlation between the measured and modelled air pressures in the system over time and along the drainage stack height. More importantly, a sample dataset representing various ventilation configurations, flow rates, and water usage combinations shows a strong linear relationship between the simulated and measured pressure values. These results confirm the accuracy and reliability of the AIRNET model in modelling the BDS, even when applied to high-rise buildings. This is crucial for addressing drainage challenges in high-rise building design.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1725building drainage systemsdrainage system modellinghigh-rise buildingsdrainage systems experiment
spellingShingle Michael Gormley
Sarwar Mohammed
David A. Kelly
David P. Campbell
Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings
Buildings
building drainage systems
drainage system modelling
high-rise buildings
drainage systems experiment
title Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings
title_full Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings
title_fullStr Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings
title_full_unstemmed Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings
title_short Application and Validation of AIRNET in Simulating Building Drainage Systems for Tall Buildings
title_sort application and validation of airnet in simulating building drainage systems for tall buildings
topic building drainage systems
drainage system modelling
high-rise buildings
drainage systems experiment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1725
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AT sarwarmohammed applicationandvalidationofairnetinsimulatingbuildingdrainagesystemsfortallbuildings
AT davidakelly applicationandvalidationofairnetinsimulatingbuildingdrainagesystemsfortallbuildings
AT davidpcampbell applicationandvalidationofairnetinsimulatingbuildingdrainagesystemsfortallbuildings