The Effects Of Passive Solar Control On Human Thermal Comfort

ABSTRACT

    Buildings are supposed to

shield their occupant from the solar radiation which especially in the hot dry

climate of Bauchi pose problems of high indoor temperatures, thermal and visual

discomfort among others. But to what extent does the Architectural solar

control measures viz; shading, building orientation with respect to cardinal

direction, and design or planning affect cooling? The current study

investigates effect of exploiting these strategies on passive solar control in

institutional buildings in ATBU with the aim of enhancing passive solar control

on human thermal comfort. The study is a Case Study research of the main

university library building in ATBU Bauchi Yelwa campus, from which physical

observation were made; oriented to N/S and E/W, with three courtyards within

the building,  without vegetation in the

courtyards. The passive solar control strategies and techniques used in the

building to achieve human thermal comfort were investigated. The results showed

that the building has achieved most of the strategies required in controlling

heat gain. Hence, the study recommended for retrofitting by insulating external

wall and roof, increase sizes of window openings, vegetating the courtyards,

landscaping the immediate environment etc.

                                                                       TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page……………………………………………………………………………………………….i

Declaration…………………………………………………………………………………………….ii

Certification………………………………………………………………………………………….iii

Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………………….iv

Acknowledgement.………………………………………………………………………………..v

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………..vi

Table of contents…………………………………………………………………………………vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………...1

1.1

Background of the study…………………………………………………………………2

1.2

Statement of the problem………………………………………………………………4

1.3

Aim and Objectives…………………………………………………………………………5

1.4

Research Questions………………………………………….……………………………..6

1.5

Significance Of the Study………………………………….……………………………..6

1.6

Operational Definition Of Terms…………………….……………………………….7

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0

Introduction………………….……………………………………………………………….10

2.1

passive cooling……………………………………..………………………………………..10

2.1.1

Strategies Of Passive Cooling…………………………………..………………….11

2.2

Thermal Comfort………………………………..………………………………………….15

2.2.1

Sources of Heat That Causes Discomfort In The Enclosed

Environment……………………………………………..…………………………………………16

2.2.2

Thermal Comfort In Building Design……………………………………………16

2.3

Factors Influencing Thermal Comfort In Buildings……………..…………..17

2.3.1Climatic

Factors………………………………………..………………………………….18

2.3.2

Human Factors………………………………………………..………………………….18

2.4

Thermal Performance and Choice Of Building Materials In Hot Dry

Zone……………………………………………………..……………………………………………..19

2.5

Solar Control……………………………………………………………………..…………..22

2.5.1

Solar Control And Heat Protection…………………………………..………….22

2.5.2

Thermal Properties Of Building Elements……………………………..…….22

2.5.3

Building Orientation As A Tool Of Solar Control……………………..……23

2.5.4  Building Shape And Volume As An Element Of

Solar Control………27

2.5.5

Shading As A Strategy Of Solar Control…………………………..……………29

2.6

Design For Hot-Arid Zones……………………………………………………..………44

2.6.1

Design For Hot-Humid Zones……………………………………………………….46

2.7

Thermal Mass…………………………………………………………………………………48

2.7.1

Properties Of Thermal Mass………………………………………………………..48

2.8

Heat Dissipation……………………………………………………………..……………..52

2.8.1

Design Problem And Challenges………………………………………………....53

2.8.2

Design Guiding Principles…………………………………………………………….54

2.9  Theories Of The Effects Of Passive Solar

Control On Energy Use In Buildings……………………………………………………………..……………………………….56

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0

Research Methodology………………………………………………………………..59

3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………59

3.2

Sources Of Data……………………………………………………………………………..59

3.2.1

Primary Data……………………………………………………………………………….60

3.2.2Secondary

Data..………………………………………………………………………….61

3.3

Data Analysis………………………………………………………………………………….61

3.4

Study Area……………………………………………………………………………………..61

3.4.1

Background of The Study Area…………………………………………………….61

3.4.2

Existing Development………………………………………………………………….63

3.4.3

Case Study………………………………………………………………………………….63

3.5

Climate And Geography…………………………………………………………………65

3.5.1

Local Climatic Data………………………………………………………………………65

3.5.2

Wind……………………………………………………………………………………………66

3.5.3

Rainfall………………………………………………………………………………………..66

3.5.4

Temperature And Humidity………………………………………………………..67

3.5.5Evaporation…………………………………………………………………………………68

3.6

Geography…………………………………………………………………………………….68

3.6.1

Geology………………………………………………………………………………………69

3.6.2

Vegetation………………………………………………………………………………….69

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..70

4.1 Presentation And Analysis Of Data From The

Research Questions…………………………………………………………………………………………....70

4.1.1 The Extent To Which Orientation Of The

Building Affects Air Admissibility With Respect To The Cardinal

Directions…………………………70

4.1.2 The Extent To Which Heat Is Gained Into The

Building With Respect To The Orientation Of The Building………………………………………………………71

4.1.3 The Effect Vegetation Has On The Cooling

Effect Of The Courtyards And The Building’s

Interior…………………………………………………………………..71

4.1.4 The Extent To Which Solar Control Strategies

Reduces Heat Gain Into The Interior Space…………………………………………………………………………72

4.2 Presentation Of Results From The Physical

Observations……………….72

4.2.1 Total Area Of The

Building…………………………………………………………..72

4.2.2 Total Area Of The Courtyards Within The

Building………………………73

4.2.3 Total Number Of Reading Sections In The

Building………………………73

4.2.4 Floor To Ceiling

Height………………………………………………………………..74

4.2.5 Walling System And The Materials

Used…………………………………….74

4.2.6 Floor And Ceiling Materials

Used…………………………………………………74

4.2.7 Window Types, Size And Materials

Used…………………………………….74

4.2.8 Type Of The Shading Control Strategies

Used……………………………..75

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Summary, Conclusion And

Recommendations……………………………….76

5.1 General Review Of

Work……………………………………………………………….76

5.2 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………..77

5.3 Recommendation………………………………………………………………………….78

 References………………………………………………………………………………………….80