The use of adaptive thermal comfort models to evaluate the summer performance of a Mediterranean earth building

Desogus, Giuseppe; Benedetto, Stefania Di; Ricciu, Roberto

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.07.020

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…From these results, it is possible to conclude that the building has a good thermo-hygrometric performance during the most demanding season of this climate zone, without having mechanical cooling systems, confirming the effectiveness of the used passive cooling strategies. The results of this study are in line with the results and conclusions observed in other studies focusing high thermal inertia buildings in Mediterranean countries [6,16,49], which also highlight, for this type of buildings, the possibility of archiving good comfort conditions during summer by passive means alone.…”

Section: Summersupporting

confidence: 92%

Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance

et al. 2019

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In Portugal, there is a lack of quantitative studies on the thermal performance of earthen buildings. This paper aims at contributing to this research context by studying site-specific strategies, and the thermal performance and comfort conditions of a rammed earth building located in southern Portugal. The study is based on objective and subjective assessments and consists of assessing the hygrothermal conditions, thermal comfort levels and analysing the occupants' perception regarding thermal sensation. The results showed that the strategies used are closely related to local conditions, mitigating the effects of high summer temperatures and ensuring a good summer thermal performance by passive means alone. During the summer monitoring, results showed that the building stayed most of the time (80%) in Category I (high level of expectation) and the remaining time in Category II, according to the classification method defined by the standard EN15251. During the winter period, the building had the worst performance, being necessary a heating system to guarantee comfort conditions. Additionally, the results showed that the good thermal performance of the case study depended more on the high thermal inertia than on the U-value of the envelope. Limitations and advantages of the use of earthen construction elements are discussed.

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Section: Summersupporting

confidence: 92%

Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance

et al. 2019

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“…In this study, several multi-zone simulations were carried out and it was concluded that the stack effect plays an important role in the ventilation and that it is commonly outperforms the wind effect. Besides, sizing permanent openings according to the standard guidelines can be adequate in providing the expected ventilation rates targeted [46]. In wider bioclimatic perspectives, comfort models include the variability of occupants' behaviors based on the external climate conditions.…”

Section: Exploration Of Other In-house Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From a literature viewpoint, there is a widespread applicability of green roofs that are perfectly adaptable to the Mediterranean climate. Green roofs provide a number of environmental advantages like increasing urban biodiversity, reducing pollution, easing burdens on drainage systems, and lowering energy costs thanks to thermal insulation [46]. Moreover, green roofs are considered passive construction systems which can reduce the energy demand of buildings and achieve: European goals of nearly-zero-energy buildings, energy reduction for existing buildings in warm climatic conditions, as well as improvement of the thermal performance of extensive roofs with different substrates, compared to traditional gravel ballasted roofs [47].…”

Section: Interventions In the Conventionally-constructed Housementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In terms of substrates' composition, typical species planted in green roof installations are that of Frankenia laevis, Dymondia margaretae, and Iris lutescens. It has been stated that the most influential factors registered for such species planted are the relationship between air and water in the substrate and the interaction between green cover and substrate, respectively, for the seasons of summer and winter [46]. In investigating the impact of green roofs on the improvement of urban heat performance in the Mediterranean climate, the key parameters of investigation are that of: experimental site, air and surface temperature profiles, and various measurement points at the level of the modules chosen [57].…”

Section: Parameters Of Cost Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating Thermal Performance of Residential Buildings in Marmari Region, South Evia, Greece

et al. 2020

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In recent decades, the steady increase of energy consumption from building construction and operations cause atmospheric pollution and significant financial burden, mainly due to the high costs imposed from energy production. This study examines ways under which modern designs of a building can be applied on construction and domestication while following conventional methods of construction, compared to a building that has been constructed and domesticated under bioclimatic architecture. Particularly, two buildings were investigated in terms of the energy consumption incurred, being built on the same seaside area and period of construction and at adjacent plots of the same distance from sea for ease of comparison. The first building (A1) was constructed under the principles of bioclimatic architecture, being also facilitated with green and smart technologies. The second building (A2) was constructed under conventional construction techniques. The energy efficiency of both buildings was calculated by the “TEE KENAK” software, while specific parameters were recorded. Energy classifications of both buildings were valued and a proposed scenario and interventions unveiled the energy classification upgrading from A2 to A1. Our analysis revealed, as also found in the literature, that during thermal energy oscillating conditions, corresponding relative humidity stresses were observed, indicating that the vapor pressure handling should be taken into account towards comfort. The preliminary incremental cost evaluation and comparison of A1 and A2 energy upgrading under the criterion of simple payback period were critically discussed.

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“…In addition, current adaptive standards, which are derived from studies carried out by the RP-884 and SCATs projects, prove that indoor temperatures in naturally ventilated spaces are closely related to with the external temperatures. In particular, a variety of studies have established the relation between vernacular architecture and its surrounding environment in a way that adaptive comfort plays a crucial role [24]; besides, locally available construction materials are also important [25] and, considering adaptive comfort, even standards for zero energy buildings can be achieved [26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive Comfort Models Applied to Existing Dwellings in Mediterranean Climate Considering Global Warming

et al. 2018

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Comfort analysis of existing naturally ventilated buildings located in mild climates, such as the ones in the Mediterranean zones, offer room for a reduction in the present and future energy consumption. Regarding Spain, most of the present building stock was built before energy standards were mandatory, let alone considerations about global warming or adaptive comfort. In this context, this research aims at assessing adaptive thermal comfort of inhabitants of extant apartments building in the South of Spain per EN 15251:2007 and ASHRAE 55-2013. The case study is statistically representative housing built in 1973. On-site monitoring of comfort conditions and computer simulations for present conditions have been carried out, clarifying the degree of adaptive comfort at present time. After that, additional simulations for 2020, 2050, and 2080 are performed to check whether this dwelling will be able to provide comfort considering a change in climate conditions. As a result, the study concludes that levels of adaptive comfort can be considered satisfactory at present time in these dwellings, but not in the future, when discomfort associated with hot conditions will be recurrent. These results provide a hint to foresee how extant dwellings, and also dwellers, should adapt to a change in environmental conditions.

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The use of adaptive thermal comfort models to evaluate the summer performance of a Mediterranean earth building

Cited by 19 publications

References 10 publications

Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance

Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance

Investigating Thermal Performance of Residential Buildings in Marmari Region, South Evia, Greece

Adaptive Comfort Models Applied to Existing Dwellings in Mediterranean Climate Considering Global Warming

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