DISSERTATION

DAYLIGHTING IN CLASSROOMS

TESSA ALEXANDER
 BACKGROUND STUDY

• Daylight can be defined as the combination of all direct and indirect sunlight during the daytime, which
is incorporated as an architectural treatment for energy savings.

• The components of a day lighting system are designed to bring natural light into a building in such a
way that electric lights can be dimmed or turned off for a portion of the day, while preventing occupant
discomfort or other building loads from increasing.

• In educational buildings, daylight may play an important role in student statues in respect to their
mode, health and level of productivity.

• Achieving good concept for natural lighting and aware of different tasks in the classroom that are
affected by natural light is critical because every task requires specific lighting conditions.
 AIM
The primary goal of the study was to get an idea about how the typical classroom spaces perform in
terms of daylight.Collect information about the natural lighting conditions in the classroom is the first step
to test the impact on student comfortability.The study involves the analysis of a classroom and provide
solutions to improve its daylight provisions.
 OBJECTIVES

- To understand how the existing classroom performs in terms of daylight.

- To understand the role of daylight design in classrooms.
Providing the appropriate level of illumination, with uniform distribution of light with ungeared
effect are essential for comfortable classroom indoor environment. Lighting of classroom should be
in the level that is sufficient for student activities such as writing and reading on the study tables
and blackboards or boards on the wall. Glare control is a key consideration in the classroom,
particularly in the direct sunlight penetration to classrooms.
Principles of Effective Natural Lighting
1. Orientation of the Building
2. Form of the Building
3. Glazing Ratio and specifications
4. Window Height and location
5. Overhead day lighting
6. Daylight Redirection
 METHADOLOGY

The methodology used for the study is described below:

-Identify the parameters for the analysis of daylighting
- A classroom are documented, analyzed and tested through simulations.

-Simulation: This portion of the study demands the use of simulation tools like Ecotect with
help of additional built-in connections like radiance and daysim, which help further to visualize results.
Ecotect is majorly used for creating the prototype of classroom space, to assign characteristic like material,
color, external obstruction, climatic data, etc and further test them.
Radiance and Daysim are used for simulation for specific analysis and time period. The
performance of space will be evaluated based on annual data.
 LIMITATIONS
• The foremost limitation of the study is that it analyses computer-generated models through the process
of virtual simulation techniques.
• Parametric analysis studies can only be done with the help of computer simulation.
• Understanding the performance of a building over a year needs annual data that can be easily generated
by simulation using the weather file of a place.
• The space selected for this research is specific to government schools which are taken into consideration
comes under Piravom Muncipality.
 TERMINOLOGY RELATED TO DAYLIGHTING
Orientation of Buildings
• In the case of nonsquare buildings, orientation refers to the direction of the normal to the long axis.
For example, if the length of the building is east-west, its orientation is north- south.
Glare
• Effect of brightness/ brightness differences within the visual field which carries discomfort.
• A condition of vision in which there is discomfort or a reduction in the ability to see significant
objects or both due to an unsuitable distribution or range of luminance or due to extreme contrasts
in space and time.
Illuminance
• The unit of illuminance (the measurement of illumination) is lux which is
1 lumen per m2
• Illumination: Represented by E.
• Luminous flux reaching it perpendicularly per unit area.
• Total output of light Unit : Lumen/m2 or lux
• Lux is the intensity of illumination produced in the inner surface of a hollow sphere of radius
one metre by a standard candle at the centre.
• Lightmeter –Measure illuminance
• At a point on a surface, the ratio of the luminous flux incident on an infinitesimal element of the
surface containing the point under consideration to the area of the element.
Luminance
• Luminance measure the brightness of surface .
• Lumens emitted by a luminous surface of 1 sqm.
• (At a point of a Surface in a Given Direction) (Brightness) The quotient of the luminous
intensity in the given direction of an infinitesimal element of the surface containing the
point under consideration by the orthogonally projected area of the element on a plane
perpendicular to the given direction.
• The unit is candela per square metre (cd/m2).

Luminous Flux (φ)

• The amount of light energy emitted by a source in a given time. The flux of light emitted from a luminous
body is the energy radiated per second in the form of light waves.
• Depends upon the luminous intensity.Represented by F.
• Luminous intensity: Represented by I ,Unit : Candela cd ,Luminous intensity of a light source in a given
direction is the luminous flux given out by the light source per unit solid angle.
• Solid angle: Angle subtended by an area r2 on the surface of sphere.Unit of solid angle= steradian
• The quantity characteristic of radiant flux which expresses its capacity to produce visual sensation
evaluated according to the values of relative luminous efficiency for the light adapted eye:
a) Effective Luminous Flux (φn) Total luminous flux which reaches the working plane.
b) Nominal Luminous Flux (φo) Total luminous flux of the light sources in the interior.
SOURCES OF DAYLIGHTING
• The primary source of lighting for
daylighting is the sun.
• The light received by the earth from
the sun consists of two parts, namely,
direct solar illuminance and sky
illuminance.

• For the purposes of daylighting

design, direct solar illuminance shall
not be considered and only sky
illuminance shall be taken as
contributing to illumination of the
building interiors during the day.
Sky Component (SC)
• The ratio (or percentage) of that part of the daylight illuminance at a point on a given plane which is
received directly from the sky as compared to the simultaneous exterior illuminance on a horizontal
plane from the entire hemisphere of an unobstructed clear design sky.

External Reflected Component (ERC)

• Sunlight reflected from an exterior surface (building/walls) and then reaching the point
considered, known as the externally reflected component (ERC).
• The ratio (or percentage) of that part of the daylight illuminance at a point on a given plane which is
received by direct reflection from external surfaces as compared to the simultaneous exterior
illuminance on a horizontal plane from the entire hemisphere of an unobstructed clear design sky.

Internal Reflected Component (IRC)

• The daylight reaching the reference point after reflections and inter-reflections from the surfaces
inside a room is known as internally reflected component.
• The ratio (or percentage) of that part of the daylight illuminance at a point in a given plane which is
received by direct reflection or inter-reflection from the internal surfaces as compared to the
simultaneous exterior illuminance on a horizontal plane due to the entire hemisphere of an
unobstructed clear design sky.
Daylight Factor
• Measure of natural daylight in a space.Amount of light in ratio at a given in a space inside.
• The measure of total daylight illuminance at a point on a given plane expressed as the ratio (or
percentage) which the illuminance at the point on the given plane bears to the simultaneous
illuminance on a horizontal plane due to clear design sky at an exterior point open to the whole
sky vault, direct sunlight being excluded.
• The sum of the three components gives the daylight factor:

DF = SC + ERC + IRC
DF = (Ei / Eo) x 100%

SC – Sky Component
ERC – Externally Reflected Component
IRC – Internally Reflected Component
• The concept of Daylight Factor (DF) was developed in the United Kingdom in the
early 20th century.
• Daylight Factor is a ratio that represents the amount of illumination available
indoors relative to the illumination present outdoors at the same time under
overcast skies.
• Daylight Factor is typically calculated by dividing the horizontal work plane
illumination indoors by the horizontal illumination on the roof of the building
being tested and then multiplying by 100.
Sky Types

Clear sky
• The luminance of the standard CIE clear sky varies over both, altitude and azimuth. It is brightest around
the sun and dimmest opposite it. The brightness of the horizon lies in between those two extrems.
Intermediate sky
• The standard CIE intermediate sky is a somewhat hazy variant of the clear sky. The sun is not as bright as
with the clear sky and the brightness changes are not as drastic.

Overcast sky
• The luminance of the standard CIE overcast sky changes with altitude.
• It is three times as bright in the zenith as it is near the horizon.
• The overcast sky is used when measuring daylight factors.
• It can be modelled under an artificial sky.
 We were born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only
know the world as it is evoked by light.…To me natural light is the
only light, because it has mood—it provides a ground of common
agreement for man—it puts us in touch with the eternal. Natural light
is the only light that makes architecture architecture.
—LOUIS I. KAHN
NATURAL LIGHTING
DAVID A. BAINBRIDGE

• Natural light is necessary for humans. Physiologically, natural light sends a signal to the pineal
gland to stop producing melatonin, which the body releases at night to help the body rest.
• Glare
• Direct glare is caused by light sources that are bright enough to cause discomfort or loss in visual
performance.
• Indirect glare is caused by reflections on glossy surfaces . Matte and flat finishes can be used to
reduce indirect glare,which diminishes the effectiveness of product displays, signs, and
advertising.
• Peripheral glare:This type of glare is a major cause of eyestrain and can trigger falling asleep at
lectures and meetings in response to the excess stress on the eyes.
The advantages of the orientation and configuration:
• Greater natural light that is easily controlled.
• Daylighting can produce lumens with half the heat of fluorescent fixtures.
• Maintenance cost of electric lighting is reduced.
• Solar gain for heating season.
Shōji, made of a wooden
lattice a traditional
Japanese paper, is used
in Japanese housing for
windows, doors and
outdoor walls. Natural
light coming in from the
sides is captured by the
shōji to create a stable
and beautiful “light
surface.”
(Article by Terunobu
Fujimori)
• 51% area is in full daylight
• 33% area is in partial daylight
• 16% area has no daylight

• Longer buildings are better,especially when placed in east west

axis
• 59 % area is in full daylight
• 41% area is in partial daylight

• Adding central open space for buildings gives 100% daylight

inside the building
Clerestory Windows
• Windows on an upper part of a wall
that light a central space are called
clerestory windows.
• These can be integrated in most
building designs to provide light to the
center or north side of a building.

Skylights
Although skylights are almost 100 percent efficient as the light enters, eventually
that light is converted to heat, and added cooling might be required to offset the
heat gain in summer.
Daylight depth of reach with a standard Adding light shelf will extend the depth of reach .
wndow configuration.The effective depth
of penetration of light into a room is
about one and a half times the head
height of the window.

Sloping ceiling that becomes lower farther away

Daylight depth of reach can be from the windows can reflect more light and
increased by raising the ceiling increase the reach.
and window height.
ECBC-Energy conservation building codes

Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) is defined as the annual occurrence of daylight between 100 lux to
2,000 lux on a work plane. This daylight is most useful to occupants, glare free and when available,
eliminates the need for artificial lighting.
Daylighting Simulation Method
• Only BEE approved software shall be used to demonstrate compliance through the daylighting
simulation method.
• Buildings shall achieve illuminance level between 100 lux and 2,000 lux for the minimum
percentage of floor area for at least 90% of the potential daylit time. Illuminance levels for all
spaces enclosed by permanent internal partitions (opaque, translucent, or transparent) with
height greater or equal to 2 m from the finished floor, shall be measured as follows:

(a) Measurements shall be taken at a work plane height of 0.8 m above the finished
floor.
(b) Schools shall be analyzed for 7 hours per day, anytime between 7:00 AM IST to 3:00 PM IST.
(c) Available useful daylight across a space shall be measured based on point-by point grid values.
UDI shall be calculated for at least one point for each square meter of floor area
(d) Fenestration shall be modeled with actual visible light transmission (VLT) as per the details
provided in the material specification sheet.

(e) All surrounding natural or man-made daylight obstructions shall be modeled if

the distance between the façade of the building and surrounding natural or man-made daylight
obstructions is less than or equal to twice the height of the man-made or natural sunlight
obstructers. If the reflectance of the surfaces is not known, default reflectance of 30% and 0% shall
be used for all vertical surfaces of man-made and natural obstructers respectively.

(f) Interior surface reflectance shall be modeled based on the actual material specification.
Manual Daylighting Method
(a) To calculate the daylit area:
i. In a direction perpendicular to the fenestration, multiply daylight extent factor (DEF) by the
head height of the fenestration or till an opaque
partition higher than head height of the fenestration, whichever is less.
ii. In the direction parallel to the fenestration, daylit area extends a horizontal dimension equal
to the width of the fenestration plus either 1 meter on each side of the aperture, or the distance
to an opaque partition, or one-half the distance to an adjacent fenestration, whichever is least.
(b) A separate architectural plan shall be prepared with all daylit areas marked on the floor
plans.
(c) Glazed façades, with non-cardinal orientation, shall be categorized under a particular cardinal
direction if its orientation is within ± 45 degrees of that cardinal direction.
(d) Any surrounding natural or man-made daylight obstructions shall not be considered in this
method.
 CLASSROOM ANALYSIS

• Name of the School: Government LP School

• Location:Piravom
• Floor: Length:5.8 m
Width:5.5 m
Window: Area:110 cm x150 cm
No.: 3 Nos
Door: 120 x 120 cm
Clerestory : No
MATERIALS AND SURFACE REFLECTANCE
• Wall: Sky blue colour
• Floor: Cream colour vitrified tile
• Window : Wooden Shutters (Blue=2,Brown=1)
• Board : Green board
• Furniture: Brown wooden desk,bench,
teachers table and chair
• Door:Brown wooden double door
LIGHT
• Tubelight:1
• ON/OFF: OFF
EXTERIOR OBSTRUCTION
Shading devices:No
Trees: Yes (2)
Buildings:N
Questionnaire
• Do you agree that your classroom has a good uniformity distribution of illuminance?
• Do you agree that sunlight in your classroom is sufficient?
• Do you agree that the illuminance level in your classroom is sufficient?
• How woud you describe daylighting in your classroom?
• I would prefer daylighting to be
• What do you think about the size of windows?
• How often is artificial lighting required in your classroom?
• How often does sunlight make you feel uncomfortabe?
• How often does sunlight cause glare on your eyes?
• Is it possible to control the level of daylight in your classroom?
• What kind of lighting type do you prefer in your classroom?

Source:Field study to analyse luminous comfort in classrooms Yıldız, Caner, Ilten and Karaoglan