Contents
Preface ix
PART I: BUILDING CLIMATOLOGY 1
CHAPTER 1: COMFORT ISSUES AND CLIMATE ANALYSIS FOR BUILDING DESIGN 3
Introduction 3
Human Responses to the Thermal Environment 5
Effects of the Climate and Other Factors on Heat Discomfort 14
Comfort Indices and Bio-Climatic Charts 22
The Building· Bio-Climatic Charts 36
References 46
CHAPTER 2: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AFFECTING THE INDOOR CLIMATE 49
Introduction 49
Impacts of Building's Layout on the Indoor Climate 50
Thermal Impacts of Windows' Orientation and Shading Conditions 53
Thermal Effect and Efficiency of Shading Devices 62
Thermal Effects of Walls' Orientation and Color 74
Natural Ventilation 87
Architectural Features Affecting Ventilation 92
Experimental Studies on Ventilation 96
References 105
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS PROPERTIES AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS 107
Introduction 107
Heat Exchange Between the Building and Its Environment 108
Modes of Heat Transfer in Buildings 109
Thermal Properties of Materials and Building Elements 114
Standard Procedures of Building Heat Loss/Gain Calculation 127
Quantifying the Interactions Between Heat Capacity and Thermal Resistance 133
References 148
CHAPTER 4: PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS 149
Introduction 149
Direct Gain 150
Collecting Storage (Trombe) Walls 159
Convective Loops: The Steve Baer System 167
The Barra System: Insulated, Glazed, Solar Wall, and Storage in Concrete Ceiling 169
Sun Spaces 171
Applicability of the Various Passive Solar Systems 179
References 182
CHAPTER 5: PASSIVE COOLING OF BUILDINGS 185
Introduction 185
Comfort (Daytime) Ventilation 186
Nocturnal Ventilative Cooling 189
Radiant Cooling 191
Evaporative Cooling Towers 196
Indirect Evaporative Cooling 200
The Earth as a Cooling Source 207
References 212
CHAPTER 6: CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSING TYPES 213
Introduction 213
Single-Family Detached Houses 214
Town Houses (Row Houses) 217
Multistoried Apartment Buildings 220
High-Rise Buildings 230
Climatic Characteristics of Internal Courtyards and. Attached Enclosed Open Spaces 232
PART II: URBAN CLIMATOLOGY 239
CHAPTER 7: GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE URBAN CLIMATE 241
Introduction 241
The Urban Temperature: The "Heat Island" Phenomenon 243
Overall Spatial Pattern of the Urban Heat Island 244
Heat Island Models 248
Impact of the Nocturnal Urban Heat Island Phenomenon on Human Comfort, Health, and Energy Use in Different Climates 254
The Urban Wind Field 256
Urban Radiation and Sunshine 266
References 273
CHAPTER 8: UR6AN DESIGN EFFECTS ON THE URBAN CLIMATE 275
Introduction 275
Location of a Town within a Region 276
Effect of Size of Cities on the Urban Heat Island 280
Climatic Effects of Density of the Built-Up Area 281
Climatic Impacts of Street Width and Orientation 286
Impact of Urban Density on Energy Demand and Potential for Solar Energy Utilization 291
Urban Density and the Urban Wind Field 293
Pedestrian Reactions to Excessively Windy Environments 295
Special Design Details of Buildings Affecting the Outdoor Conditions 298
References 301
CHAPTER 9: IMPACT OF GREEN AREAS ON SITE AND URBAN CLIMATES 303
Introduction 303
Functions and Impacts of Urban Green Areas 304
Effect of Plants on the Environmental Conditions 306
Climatic Impact of Plants Around Buildings 308
Experimental Studies on the Thermal Effect of Planted Areas 309
Climatic Effects of Public Urban Parks and Playgrounds 318
Impact of Green Spaces on Air Pollution 320
Planted Areas as Noise Controls 322
Social Functions of Urban Parks 324
References 327
PART Ill: BUILDING AND URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES 331
CHAPTER 10: BUILDING AND URBAN DESIGN FOR HOT-DRY REGIONS 333
Introduction 333
Characteristics of Hot-Dry Regions 333
Comfort and Energy Conservation Issues in Hot-Dry Regions 337
Architectural Guidelines for Hot-Dry Regions 340
Building Materials in Desert Regions 358
Building Types Considerations in Hot-Dry Climates 363
Urban Design in Hot-Dry Regions 366
References 376
CHAPTER 11: BUILDING AND URBAN DESIGN FOR HOT-HUMID REGIONS 379
Introduction 379
Climatic Considerations of Hot-Humid Regions Relevant to Building and Urban Design 380
Architectural Guidelines for Hot-Humid Regions 382
Structural Design and Choice of Materials in Hot-Humid Regions 397
Climatic Characteristics of Different Building Types in Hot-Humid Regions 404
Urban Design Guidelines for Hot-Humid Regions 407
References 414
CHAPTER 12: BUILDING AND URBAN DESIGN IN COLD CLIMATES 417
Introduction 417
Building and Extended Site Design in Cold Climates 418
Urban Design in Cold Climates 422
References 429
CHAPTER 13: REGIONS WITH COLD WINTERS AND HOT-HUMID SUMMERS 431
Introduction 431
Climatic Characteristics and Thermal Comfort Requirements 432
Building Design Considerations 434
Urban Configuration for Regions with Hot-Humid Summers and Cold Winters 437
Index 443