Computational fluid dynamics – based assessment of thermal comfort parameters in residential buildings in Amman: Implications for indoor environmental quality

With the increasing reliance on indoor living, the design of residential environments has become essential for ensuring occupant comfort, health, and well-being.This study evaluates thermal comfort variables-air temperature and relative humidity (RH)-in apartment buildings in Amman, Jordan, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to assess the impact of spatial design parameters on indoor environmental quality.The findings reveal thermal deficiencies in existing apartment layouts, where low indoor temperatures (16.6 C) and excessive humidity (94.96%) compromise indoor comfort.The study examines how optimizing wall insulation (phenolic foam, R = 5.7, 8 cm) and window-to-wall ratio (40%) can improve indoor air conditions.While previous research suggests that temperature and humidity influence airborne virus viability, this study does not directly investigate pathogen survival.Instead, it provides a data-driven assessment of indoor thermal comfort, offering insights for future research, design improvements, and policy considerations to enhance residential indoor environments.