Influence of Timber Materials on Thermal Comfort in Semi-outdoor Coastal Buildings: A Field Measurement and Cfd Analysis

Timber buildings have significant potential to support sustainable design, particularly in coastal areas that require passive strategies to maintain thermal comfort. This study aims to evaluate the thermal conditions and natural ventilation patterns of three semi-open timber structures at Maha Corner Café through the integration of field measurements and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and WBGT were measured over a two-day period, and the results were combined with CFD modeling to provide a comprehensive understanding of temperature distribution and airflow dynamics. The findings indicate that all three buildings maintain an average temperature of approximately 29–30°C with a stable thermal distribution, while airflow variations are influenced by spatial configuration and opening orientation. Timber materials contribute to thermal stability through their ability to moderate heat fluctuations and support natural ventilation in tropical coastal environments. These results confirm the potential of semi-open timber buildings as effective passive design strategies for enhancing thermal comfort and provide a scientific basis for their application in sustainable civil engineering practices.