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Introduction To Climatic Design Factors PDF
Introduction To Climatic Design Factors PDF
• Equatorial
- is a tropical climate
usually (but not always) found
along the equator
- climate typically
feature tropical rainforests
- Tropical rainforest
climate is a type of tropical
climate in which there is little or
no dry season – all months have
mean precipitation values
• TROPICAL DESIGN
- concerned with countries where discomfort is due to
heat and humidity are the dominant problems.
Modifiying Factor
• Air Temperature
Mean radiant temperature (MRT):
Temperature is one of the main parameters on which comfort of the
inhabitants depends. In summer the acceptable temperature is considered to
be 24-25 degrees C while in winter/cold season it is 22-23 degrees C.
maintaining a temperature of 24 degrees C within the structure when the
outside temperature is 35-37 degrees C puts a huge strain on the HVAC
system leading to huge energy costs.
Therefore, it would be wise to revise our criteria for thermal comfort and
accept a standard for thermal neutrality instead, i.e. the person feels neither
too hot nor too cold, nor feels any local discomfort due to asymmetric
radiation, drafts, cold floors and furniture, non-uniform clothing, etc.
At same time there has to be a willingness to adapt to the local weather
conditions so as not to make unrealistic demands from the air-conditioning
system. We should realize that the days of wasteful spending are now over
and a measure of austerity has to be there in our energy spending.
Humidity
The moisture content present in the air is called ‘humidity’.
.
The level of humidity greatly influences evaporative cooling Greater the
moisture content in the air lesser is the effect of evaporative cooling.
Air movement over the skin results in Evaporative cooling- as the air moves over
the skin, the perspiration on the skin surface evaporates leading to cooling of the
surrounding area.
Air movement also affects conductive-convective heat transfer between skin and
air. The velocity of the air is also important as stagnant air creates a suffocating
effect as the air turns stale due to respiration, foul odors, smoke, etc.
Therefore removal of this air and its replacement with fresh air is very important
which directly depends on adequate cross ventilation of the spaces, which results
in proper air movement and velocity.
A combination of these three factors is responsible
for the maintenance of proper living conditions
within the space.
In a climate such as ours, cooling is the main factor affecting building design.
Humidity levels are also quite high along with high summer temperatures in
the high 30’s. Therefore the control of solar heat gain is the most important
factor to be considered.
Sources of heat gain
The proper use of shading devices can prevent direct solar radiation from
reaching all or part of the roof, walls or windows of a building. Natural
vegetation, neighboring buildings or the surrounding landscape can provide
shading - for example on the north-facing slope of a hill or valley.
Shading devices on the building (fixed or movable, the latter being manually
or automatically controlled) can prevent radiation from reaching critical parts
such as windows, doors and even roofs. Indirect solar gain from the sky or
reflected from the surrounding buildings or the ground and air heated by
irradiated surfaces such as roads and pavements can also contribute
significantly to cooling load.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Design of openings
The balance between heating, cooling and day-lighting is a critical consideration for
the choice of orientation and size of opening. Building type and Building Regulations
also influence this choice. However, the use of additional devices such as overhangs,
shutters, blinds and louvers allow some scope to correct or limit the unfavourable
orientations for large glazed areas. The sizing of north facing openings is less affected
by seasonal variations and may be determined largely by day lighting and cross
ventilation requirements. North facing openings can provide an almost uniform
daylight source. Effective cross ventilation typically requires openings distributed
across opposing facades, with minimal internal barriers to impede airflow. The proper
treatment of south and west facing windows is therefore very important to prevent
unnecessary heat gain. For single sided ventilation the shape of opening becomes
important, horizontal formats being more economical in simulating internal air
velocities. The design of openings should be undertaken in conjunction with the
overall solar strategy.
The building envelope design strategy must encompass winter and summer conditions
so that, for example, excessive solar heat gain can be avoided in summer while
adequate daylight is available throughout the year, thus avoiding the need for artificial
lighting during the day, consequently reducing cooling loads.
Shading systems
Blocking the solar radiation from reaching the building,
particularly the glazed, but also the other opaque
surfaces (including the roof) and reflecting the solar
radiation is fundamental to the prevention of heat gain.
While shading systems must provide good solar
protection in summer, they should not reduce solar
gain in winter, impede natural lighting or obstruct cross
ventilation. Well-designed shading systems can actually
enhance natural day lighting and ventilation. Shading
systems can be either fixed or movable and placed
internally, externally or between double glazed panels.
Vegetation can also be used to provide shading.
Glazing
The type of glazing used can also affect the solar heat
gain of the building. Glazing may be either clear or may
have special coatings or treatments to enhance it’s
reflective or heat absorbing properties. Electrochromic
glass allows the radiation transmission properties to be
altered by varying an electric current that is passed
through the glass panel. Other new types of high
performance glass called low-e glass are also now
available which have low emission values compared to
normal glass. The use of sun films can also reduce the
penetration of solar radiation.
Fixed shading systems
Fixed shading systems include structural elements such as balconies and
projecting fins or shelves and non-structural elements such as canopies,
blinds, louvers and screens. The orientation and shape of the opening to be
shaded, relative to the position of the sun at different times of the day and
year is critical to the design of fixed shading systems. Each orientation will
need to be examined separately, taking account of direct and diffuse and
reflected components of solar radiation throughout the day and year.
Typically horizontal shading is used for south facades while vertical fins or
louvers are more efficient for east and west facades. Fixed shading systems
are generally used externally as when used internally heat build-up between
the system and glazing can reduce the effectiveness of the system by as much
as 30%.
Movable shading systems
Movable shading is use either internally or externally. Control can be either manual or
power assisted and may be automated to respond to changing conditions such as
current radiation levels and daylighting or thermal requirements.
Awnings can reduce heat gain by up to 65% in summer on south facades and up to
80% on east or west facades. The geometry of awnings is similar to that of horizontal
overhangs but efficiency will also depend on how opaque the material is to both
direct and diffused radiation and the presence of dust which might change the
absorption and radiation characteristics of the awning. Normally, an air gap should be
provided between the awning and glazing for air circulation. The efficiency of awnings
may also deteriorate with age and weather damage.
Venetian blinds can permit simultaneous ventilation and shading which is controllable
and may allow daylight to be reflected, to the ceiling, for example. With the exception
of reflective blinds, curtains and blinds fitted internally are less satisfactory as they
provide shade only after radiation has passed through the glazing. The use of curtains
and internal blinds may often conflict with the daylighting or ventilation needs.
Vegetation
Vegetation can be used effectively for shading of the building. A major
advantage of natural shading using vegetation is that plants constantly
rearrange and reposition their leaves for maximum solar exposure and
therefore maximize shading, while artificial shading is generally inflexible.
Shady trees will control the light and heat reflected off the roads and
pavements onto the walls and roof of the structure if it is within the shadow
range.
Terrace gardens can further reduce heat transmission through the roof. As the
roof is responsible for 50% of the heat load this can achieve temperature
drops of 3 degrees C to 5 degrees C.
Thermal insulation
Thermal insulation may combine two physical processes;
reducing the thermal transmittance of the envelope and
maximizing long wave radiation. Usually, only the first is taken
into consideration, but both these processes can be incorporated
in the concept of radiant barriers. The development of higher
quality foil products and research showing the most efficient way
to install these, have resulted in major energy savings in hot
regions, for example, a low emissivity material like aluminium
foil, next to an air gap will impede radiation, thus reducing the
temperature of the inner layer and also radiant room
temperature. At night, the foil blocks radiant heat exchange,
reducing night cooling. When properly installed, radiant barriers
can reduce cooling loads by as much as 10%.
Air infiltration