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Thesis Synopsis Form
Thesis Synopsis Form
Thesis Synopsis Form
By Hina Afzal
GUIDELINES TO DESIGN A SHELTER
FOR HOT AND DRY AREAS
1.BASIC OVERVIEW OF HOT,DRY AREAS
Very hot, dry air and dry ground
Day-time temperatures range between 27-49 deg C
Night-time-falls to 22 degree C
Humidity-continuously moderate to low
Dry air, low humidity and minimal rainfall
discourage plant life,
Local thermal winds carry dust and sand
OBJECTIVES
• Orientation and placement, to minimize sun
exposure in summer.
• Form, compact to reduce surface areas of heat
gain.
• Shade, for maximum sun protection in
summer.
• Allow adequate heat gain in winter by
movable shading devices.
• Ventilation, for regulation of air movement.
PHYSIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES
• Depends on reduction of the intense radiation
from the sun, ground and surrounding buildings
• During day, the designer must select walls and
roofs which can maintain inner surface
temperatures less than the skin temperatures.
• At night, the air temperature is low enough to
permit an increase in effective temperature by
surface temperatures higher than this air
temperature.
• Low Humidity-Hence evaporation is greater than
any other climate
leeward: towards the side sheltered from the wind
Form and Planning 1. Two storey solution for hot and dry
climate
2. As outdoor conditions are very
hostile(unfriendly), both the
interior and the exterior of the
building need to be protected.
Hence, an enclosed, compact in-
ward looking building will
be suitable.
3. Hot dry climates occur in a
wide range of latitudes and
geographic locations. This creates a
variety of diurnal ranges and winter
heating requirements ,with hot to
very hot dry summers.
4. Evaporative cooling from ponds,
water features and ‘active’ or
The diurnal temperature range is the mechanical cooling systems is ideal
difference between the daily maximum and for arid climates where low
minimum temperature. Changes in DTR have humidity promotes high
multiple possible causes (cloud cover, urban evaporation rates.
heat, land use change, water vapor and 5. Evaporative cooling or a ceiling fan
greenhouse gases) should be used if required.
• Use high mass solutions with passive solar winter heating
where winters are cool or cold and diurnal ranges are
significant.
• Use low mass elevated solutions where winters are mild
and diurnal ranges are lower.
• Consider high mass construction for rooms with passive
winter heating and low mass for other rooms.
• Shade all windows in summer and east and west windows
year round.
• Well sealed windows and doors with maximum opening
area allow maximum exposure to cooling breezes and
exclude hot, dry and dusty winds.
Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy. A lot of heat energy
is required to change the temperature of high density materials like concrete, bricks and tiles.
They are therefore said to have high thermal mass. Lightweight materials such as timber have
low thermal mass. concrete is not a good insulator. To keep this heat from escaping into the
colder surrounding ground, a concrete slab floor should be insulated.
In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, and
distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer.
How thermal mass works?
• Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy.
A lot of heat energy is required to change the temperature of high density
materials like concrete, bricks and tiles. They are therefore said to have
high thermal mass. concrete is not a good insulator. To keep this heat from
escaping into the colder surrounding ground, a concrete slab floor should
be insulated.
• Lightweight materials such as timber have low thermal mass
• Thermal mass acts as a thermal battery. During summer it absorbs heat
during the day and releases it by night to cooling breezes or clear night
skies, keeping the house comfortable. In winter the same thermal mass
can store the heat from the sun or heaters to release it at night, helping
the home stay warm.
• Thermal mass is not a substitute for insulation. Thermal mass stores and
re-releases heat; insulation stops heat flowing into or out of the building.
A high thermal mass material is not generally a good thermal insulator.
• Thermal mass is particularly beneficial where there is a big difference
between day and night outdoor temperatures.
Thermal mass