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Tropical Design 1
Tropical Design 1
techniques
Includes:
a. Through orientation
b. Site layout
c. Solar control device
d. Passive daylight concept
e. Passive cooling by wind and ventilation
Preventative techniques:
Microclimate and site design - By taking into account the local climate
and the site context, specific cooling strategies can be selected to
apply which are the most appropriate for preventing overheating
through the envelope of the building. The microclimate can play a
huge role in determining the most favorable building location by
analyzing the combined availability of sun and wind. The bioclimatic
chart, the solar diagram and the wind rose are relevant analysis tools
in the application of this technique.
principle applies both to the opaque (walls and roof) and transparent
surfaces (windows) of the envelope. Since roofs could be a larger
contributor to the interior heat load, especially in lighter constructions
(e.g. building and workshops with roof made out of metal structures),
providing thermal insulation can effectively decrease heat transfer
from the roof.
Ventilation:
Night flush cooling The building structure acts as a sink through the
day and absorbs internal heat gains and solar radiation. Heat can be
dissipated from the structure by convective heat loss by allowing
cooler air to pass through the building at night. The flow of outdoor air
can be induced naturally or mechanically. The next day, the building
will perform as a heat sink, maintaining indoor temperatures below the
outdoor temperature. This strategy is most effective in climates with a
large diurnal swing so the typical maximum indoor temperature is
below the outdoor maximum temperature during the hottest months.
Thermal mass is a necessary component to dissipate heat at night.
Radiative cooling:
All objects constantly emit and absorb radiant energy. An object will cool by
radiation if the net flow is outward, which is the case during the night. At
night, the long-wave radiation from the clear sky is less than the long-wave
infrared radiation emitted from a building, thus there is a net flow to the sky.
Since the roof provides the greatest surface visible to the night sky,
designing the roof to act as a radiator is an effective strategy. There are two
types of radiative cooling strategies that utilize the roof surface: direct and
indirect.
Indirect radiant cooling - A heat transfer fluid removes heat from the
building structure through radiate heat transfer with the night sky. A
common design for this strategy involves a plenum between the
building roof and the radiator surface. Air is drawn into the building
through the plenum, cooled from the radiator, and cools the mass of
the building structure. During the day, the building mass acts as a heat
sink.
Evaporative cooling:
Evaporative cooling. The design relies on the evaporative process of water to
cool the incoming air while simultaneously increasing the relative humidity. A
saturated filter is placed at the supply inlet so the natural process of
evaporation can cool the supply air. Apart from the energy to drive the fans,
Earth coupling:
Earth coupling uses the moderate and consistent temperature of the soil to
act as a heat sink to cool a building through conduction. This passive cooling
strategy is most effective when earth temperatures are cooler than ambient
air temperature, such as hot climates.
Passive Cooling:
A cooling system using a buildings design and construction to maintain a
comfortable temperature within the building.
Passive design is essentially low-energy design achieved by the buildings
particular morphological organization rather than electro-mechanical means.
Cross ventilation: Cross ventilation is far more important in the tropics than
in temperate zones. The theoretical strategy for blocking or inducing wind
flow into a building is based on local prevailing wind conditions. Generally,
for the tropical zones as much ventilation as possible is desired.
P.C.T.
orientation:
Through
be flat or north-sloping
A site with north-south alignment is likely to receive midday sun and with
minimal overshadowing, but may have limited morning or evening sun. A site
with east-west alignment is more likely to be overshadowed to the north. Be
wary of covenants that may prevent good orientation, shading to the north
from trees or buildings, south-facing slopes or views.
Building location:
For maximum solar gain, a building should in general be located near the
sites southern boundary. In most cases, this is likely to reduce the risk of
shading from neighboring properties, and also provide sunny outdoor space.
However, the best location for solar access will vary from site to site
depending on site shape, orientation and topography; and shading from
trees and neighboring buildings (or future buildings).
As noted above, other factors such as views, wind, topography, and the
location of trees and neighboring buildings will also influence a buildings
location on the site.
In areas where cooling is more of a priority than heating, factors such as
access to breezes might be more important than solar access.
Layout:
Overcoming obstacles:
It is often not possible to obtain the ideal building orientation on a site
(particularly in urban areas) and compromise will be necessary for
example, where the view is to the south, the site has a south-facing slope,
there is a source of noise on the north side, or the view and sun face into
strong prevailing winds.
glare and reducing contrast ratios. This often leads to increased satisfaction
and productivity. Shading devices offer the opportunity of differentiating one
building facade from another. This can provide interest and human scale to
an otherwise undistinguished design.
The use of sun control and shading devices is an important aspect of many
energy-efficient building design strategies. In particular, buildings that
employ passive solar heating or day lighting often depend on well-designed
sun control and shading devices.
During cooling seasons, external window shading is an excellent way to
prevent unwanted solar heat gain from entering a conditioned space.
Shading can be provided by natural landscaping or by building elements
such as awnings, overhangs, and trellises. Some shading devices can also
function as reflectors, called light shelves, which bounce natural light for day
lighting deep into building interiors.
The design of effective shading devices will depend on the solar orientation
of a particular building facade. For example, simple fixed overhangs are very
effective at shading south-facing windows in the summer when sun angles
are high. However, the same horizontal device is ineffective at blocking low
afternoon sun from entering west-facing windows during peak heat gain
periods in the summer.
Exterior shading devices are particularly effective in conjunction with clear
glass facades. However, high-performance glazings are now available that
have very low shading coefficients (SC). When specified, these new glass
products reduce the need for exterior shading devices.
Thus, solar control and shading can be provided by a wide range of building
components including:
In the summer, peak sun angles occur at the solstice on June 21, but peak
temperature and humidity are more likely to occur in August. Remember that
an overhang sized to fully shade a south-facing window in August will also
shade the window in April when some solar heat may be desirable.
To properly design shading devices it is necessary to understand the position
of the sun in the sky during the cooling season. The position of the sun is
expressed in terms of altitude and azimuth angles.
The altitude angle is the angle of the sun above the horizon, achieving its
maximum on a given day at solar noon.
The azimuth angle, also known as the bearing angle, is the angle of the sun's
projection onto the ground plane relative to south.
An easily accessed source of information on sun angles and solar path
diagrams is Architectural Graphic Standards, 11th Edition, available from
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Publishers. Shading devices can have a dramatic
impact on building appearance this impact can be for the better or for the
worse. The earlier in the design process that shading devices are considered
they more likely they are to be attractive and well-integrated in the overall
architecture of a project.
To the greatest extent possible, limit the amount of east and west glass
since it is harder to shade than south glass. Consider the use of
landscaping to shade east and west exposures.
shading the roof even if there are no skylights since the roof is a major
source of transmitted solar gain into the building.
While they often perform well, their practicality is limited by the need for
manual or mechanical manipulation. Durability and maintenance issues are
also a concern.
Require A&E professionals to fully specify all glass. They should be prepared
to specify glass U-value, SC, and Tvis and net window U-value for all
fenestration systems. The shading coefficient (SC) of a glazing indicates the
amount of solar heat gain that is admitted into a building relative to a singleglazed reference glass. Thus, a lower shading coefficient means less solar
heat gain. The visible transmittance (Tvis) of a glazing material indicates the
percentage of the light available in the visible portion of the spectrum
admitted into a building. See also WBDG Windows and Glazing.
When designing shading devices, carefully evaluate all operations and
maintenance (O&M) and safety implications. In some locations, hazards such
as nesting birds or earthquakes may reduce the viability of incorporating
exterior shading devices in the design.
Side lighting
Top lighting
Day lighting is the most effective passive solar strategy in almost all
commercial building types because it reduces two major energy uses in
these buildings: electric lighting and cooling.
houses were designed with minimal windows on the polar side but more and
larger windows on the equatorial-side. Equatorial-side windows receive at
least some direct sunlight on any sunny day of the year (except in tropical
latitudes in summertime) so they are effective at day lighting areas of the
house adjacent to the windows.
Even so, during mid-winter, light incidence is highly directional and casts
deep shadows. This may be partially ameliorated through light diffusion, light
pipes or tubes, and through somewhat reflective internal surfaces. In fairly
low latitudes in summertime, windows that face east and west and
sometimes those that face toward the pole receive more sunlight than
windows facing toward the equator.
Windows - are the most common way to admit daylight into a space. Their
vertical orientation means that they selectively admit sunlight and diffuse
daylight at different times of the day and year. Therefore windows on
multiple orientations must usually be combined to produce the right mix of
light for the building, depending on the climate and latitude. There are three
ways to improve the amount of light available from a window:
Using a large light colored window-sill to project light into the room.
visible light can pass through it, so can some radiant heat gain (they are
both electromagnetic radiation waves).
You can partially reduce some of the unwanted roof-angled-glazing summer
solar heat gain by installing a skylight in the shade of deciduous (leafshedding) trees, or by adding a movable insulated opaque window covering
on the inside or outside of the skylight. This would eliminate the daylight
benefit in the summer. If tree limbs hang over a roof, they will increase
problems with leaves in rain gutters, possibly cause roof-damaging ice dams,
shorten roof life, and provide an easier path for pests to enter your attic.
Leaves and twigs on skylights are unappealing, difficult to clean, and can
increase the glazing breakage risk in wind storms.
Skylights provide daylight. The only view they provide is essentially straight
up in most applications. Well-insulated light tubes can bring daylight into
northern rooms, without using a skylight. A passive-solar greenhouse
provides abundant daylight for the equator-side of the building.
"Sawtooth roof glazing" with vertical-glass-only can bring some of the
passive solar building design benefits into the core of a commercial or
industrial building, without the need for any roof-angled glass or skylights.
and often least expensive form of passive cooling and ventilation. Successful
wind ventilation is determined by having high thermal comfort and adequate
fresh air for the ventilated spaces, while having little or no energy use for
active HVAC cooling and ventilation. Strategies for wind ventilation include
operable windows, ventilation louvers, and rooftop vents, as well as
structures to aim or funnel breezes.
Windows are the most common tool. Advanced systems can have automated
windows or louvers actuated by thermostats. If air moves through openings
that are intentional as a result of wind ventilation, then the building has
natural ventilation.
If air moves through openings that are not intentional as a result of wind
ventilation, then the building has infiltration, or unwanted ventilation (air
leaking in).
The greatest pressure on the windward side of the building is generated
when the elevation is at right angles to the wind direction, so it seems to be
obvious that the greatest indoor air velocity will be achieved in this case.
A wind incidence of 45 would reduce pressure by 50% Thus the designer
must ascertain the prevailing wind direction from wind frequency charts of
wind roses and must orientate the building in such a way that the largest
openings are facings the wind direction It has, however, been found by
Givoni that a wind incidence at 45 would increase the average indoor air
velocity and would provide a better distribution of indoor air movement.
For spaces with windows on only one side, natural ventilation will not
reach farther than two times the floor to ceiling height into the
building.
However, buildings do not have to face directly into the wind to achieve good
cross-ventilation. Internal spaces and structural elements can be designed to
channel air through the building in different directions. In addition, the
prevailing wind directions listed by weather data may not be the actual
prevailing wind directions, depending on local site obstructions, such as trees
or other buildings. For buildings that feature a courtyard and are located in
climates where cooling is desired, orienting the courtyard 45 degrees from
the prevailing wind maximizes wind in the courtyard and cross ventilation
through the building.
Natural ventilation is the process of supplying and removing air through
an indoor space without using mechanical systems. It refers to the flow of
external air to an indoor space as a result of pressure or temperature
differences. There are two types of natural ventilation occurring in buildings:
wind driven ventilation and buoyancy-driven ventilation. While wind is the
main mechanism of wind driven ventilation, buoyancy-driven ventilation
occurs as a result of the directional buoyancy force that results from
temperature differences between the interior and exterior.
The impact of wind on the building form creates areas of positive pressure on
the windward side of a building and negative pressure on the leeward and
sides of the building. Thus building shape and local wind patterns are crucial
in creating the wind pressures that will drive air flow through its apertures. In
practical terms wind pressure will vary considerably creating complex air
flows and turbulence by its interaction with elements of the natural
environment (trees, hills) and urban context (buildings, structures).
Vernacular and traditional buildings in different climatic regions rely heavily
Active
concepts/cooling
techniques
Includes:
a. Day lighting sensors
b. automatic blinds
c. rain sensors
d. motion detectors
e.
COOLING TECHNIQUES:
As the cooling demand is always a
result of the climatic conditions on
the building site, cooling strategies
have to be adapted to regional
climate characteristics. Nevertheless
measures and strategies for the
reduction
of
cooling
energy
mentioned in this document are
unique principles to be applied to
almost all European climate zones. In
general there are two strategies to
reduce the cooling demand in
buildings:
Passive cooling strategies (on which will be the main focus of this
report)
Building design
Daylighting sensors:
Daylight sensors in conjunction with
well-designed lighting systems can
maximize the qualities of daylight. The
highest efficiency can be reached in
environments with ample daylight
coming
through
windows.
The
intensity of artificial lighting is
constantly adjusted to reflect the
incoming natural luminous flux. At
noon all or most of the illumination
can be provided by sun while early or
late in the day this function is taken
over by the artificial lighting system.
Saves energy:
Reduces energy consumption by dimming or turning off electric lights
based on the natural daylight entering the space
Can deliver up to 60% lighting energy savings in some areas Provides
comfort and convenience
Helps maintain the proper light level for a space, so a space is never too
dark or too bright
Continuously adjusts lights automatically so occupants dont have to
manually adjust them as daylight levels change.
Automatic blinds:
Automatic blind is a type of window
covering. There are many different
kinds of window blinds which use a
variety of control systems. A typical
window blind is made up of several
long horizontal or vertical slats of
various types of fabric, wood,
plastic or metal which are held
together by cords that run through
the blind slats. Window blinds can
be adjusted by rotating them from
an open position to a closed
position with either a manual or
remote control which allows the
slats to overlap and block out most of the light. There are also several types
of window blinds that use a single piece of material instead of slats.
A window blind is also known as a window shade.
The term window blinds is also sometimes used to describe window
coverings genericallyin this context window blinds include almost every
type of window covering, i.e. shutters, roller blinds, honeycomb shades,
wood blinds, roman blinds and of course, standard vertical and horizontal
blinds. In the United Kingdom awnings are sometimes called blinds or
shades.
Blinds can be made in a variety of materials, some expensive, and some less
so. Cheaper blinds are usually made in vinyl, polyester, aluminum, or PVC.
These are inexpensive materials that are all easily accessible and durable at
the same time.
Roller blinds:
Rain sensor:
A rain sensor or rain switch is a
Irrigation sensors:
Rain sensors for irrigation systems are available in both wireless and
hard-wired versions, most employing hygroscopic disks that swell in
the presence of rain and shrink back down again as they dry out an
electrical switch is in turn depressed or released by the hygroscopic
disk stack, and the rate of drying is typically adjusted by controlling the
ventilation reaching the stack.
However, some electrical type sensors are also marketed that use
tipping bucket or conductance type probes to measure rainfall.
Wireless and wired versions both use similar mechanisms to
temporarily suspend watering by the irrigation controller specifically
they are connected to the irrigation controller's sensor terminals, or are
installed in series with the solenoid valve common circuit such that
they prevent the opening of any valves when rain has been sensed.
Motion detectors:
A motion detector is a device that
detects moving objects, particularly
people. A motion detector is often
integrated as a component of a
system that automatically performs
a task or alerts a user of motion in
an area. Motion detectors form a
vital
component
of
security,
automated lighting control, home
control, energy efficiency, and other
useful systems.
An
electronic
motion
detector
contains an optical, microwave, or acoustic sensor, and in many cases a
transmitter for illumination. However a passive sensor only senses a signal
emitted by the moving object itself.
Advantage: