Influence of Single and Double Membrane Roofs on Thermal Behaviour of Enclosed Space

Abstract

Even though membrane structures have been increasingly used in the world, their energy efficiency is very unfavourable due to poor thermal properties. This causes relatively high consumption of heating energy in the winter, as well energy consumed for the operation of air-conditioning during the summer, that is, under circumstances which require thermal comfort. Since thermal comfort depends on the air temperature and temperature of the interior surfaces of the envelope, this paper presents a study of the measurement and comparison of temperatures of single and double membrane structures in the summer period. Data collection was accomplished by measuring two adjacent structures, one covered with single and the other covered by a double membrane. Verification of the measured data was performed by comparing it with the official measured temperatures in the same period. The air temperatures were measured in all the separate air compartments and particular surfaces of each membrane. By analysing the measured data and their classification based on daylight and night-time periods, certain conclusions were drawn about the influence of an additional layer of membrane on the temperature of the air inside a covered structure.

The Thermal Behaviour of a Cylindrical Air Layer Enclosed between Double Fabric Roof Membranes

“…The diagrams which represent a detailed account of all the officially measured air temperatures from the measuring stations WMO13274 (θ 1 A ) and ISRBIJAB2 (θ 2 A ), the measured outer air temperatures above the object (θ o A ), as well as the inner air temperature (θ i A ), the air temperature between the membranes (θ m A ) and the temperature of the membranes themselves (θ i S , θ o S ) are shown and analyzed in [11]. The results presented in [11] were compiled over a period of time when heating and ventilation systems were not in use.…”

“…The Membrane assembly thermal model [10] is necessary for an CFD analysis, which led the authors to conclude that by registering the air temperature inside and outside the dome, the temperature of the border surfaces, the air temperatures between the border surfaces, and solar radiation, they could by analytical means quantify the thermal resistance for the double membrane with an unventilated air layer. The results of comparative measurements on identical, neighbouring objects with a single and double closed fabric membrane, with an accompanying analysis, were shown in [11]. By implementing a stationary approach [12], the thermal behaviour of this specific border assembly consisting of an unventilated air layer and cylindrical fabric membranes was determined.…”

Medijana-Niš Archeological Site Protection Structure

“…The temperature behavior in the open structure without air conditioning was observed and measured. While there were no strict expectations for temperature control, tests were conducted to assess the temperature stability within the structure [12] . The results of the measurements revealed a certain degree of temperature stability within the inner air of the structure.…”

Photovoltaic Technology Integration with Tensile Membrane Structures - a Critical Review

“…Another method is forming multi-layer membranes [14]. The air between the membranes can be enclosed or heated in order to improve the thermal properties of the building [15]. However, this also reduces the amount of light in the interior, makes the structure more expensive and consumes more energy and material.…”