Optimization of ventilated roofs for livestock housing

This paper aims at optimizing the performance of roofing components equipped with a ventilated interspace in order to reduce the heat load inside the animal houses. By means of a theoretical model and experimental tests, the three-dimensional profile of the air temperature in the duct is determined. Consequently the air temperature inside a typical house for livestock is calculated. The air flow is considered uniform inside the rectangular duct and the thermal problem is solved by adopting H2 boundary conditions. The air temperature in the house is then calculated and the optimal duct thickness minimizing it was determined.