Search results for " COMFORT"

THE OPTIMUM SELECTION OF THE WINDOW SHADING LEVELS AND OF THE INDOOR VENTILATION RATES AS A DESIGN STRATEGY FOR BIOCLIMATIC COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

1991

ABSTRACT Ventilation rates, shading level of windows and indoor air temperature are analyzed together in order to single out the optimum mix referred to the thermal comfort situations of thermally moderate commercial buildings. Thermal comfort is here taken into account by means of the Predicted Mean Vote ( Fanger, 1970 ). A short selection of graphs is proposed, able to provide the simultaneous view of the effects produced, on the PMV, by modifications of the above cited parameters. Graphs can be usefully adopted for the proper design of the glazed surfaces, especially for passive solar buildings.

Experimental Research of Thermal Comfort Conditions in Small Test Buildings with Different Types of Heating

2015

Abstract The aim of this study is detailed analysis of long-term monitoring data of thermal comfort conditions and energy efficiency in small test buildings equipped with different heating systems. Calculations of PPD index and local thermal discomfort factors are provided for the test buildings during three weeks of heating season. It is shown that the type of heating system has influence not only on heating energy need, but also on thermal comfort conditions in the room.

Evaluating the thermal-radiative performance of ENVI-met model for green infrastructure typologies: Experience from a subtropical climate

2022

Abstract Microclimate knowledge has been intensively integrated into urban planning and design to improve the buildings’ energy performance and outdoor thermal comfort. To assess the climatic mitigation strategies, numerical modeling is gaining higher relevance. ENVI-met, a microclimate model to simulate the complex surface-vegetation-atmosphere interactions in the built environment, is receiving increasing popularity. This study aims to systematically evaluate the thermal-radiative performance of the ENVI-met model based on its recent updates. First, a field measurement was conducted in a subtropical city. Thermal-radiative parameters were collected besides three green infrastructure (GI) …

Research on ecological design to enhance comfort in open spaces of a city (Valencia, Spain). Utility of the physiological equivalent temperature (PET)

2013

For many years now, research has focused on issues concerning making cities easier to live in and some of the most important of these concern climatology and thermal comfort issues. There is also a growing awareness of the importance of open spaces and green areas, as key elements in providing opportunities for human interaction, leisure and physical exercise. They are important for all inhabitants, but particularly so for children and the elderly population. Of especial interest are the studies which have examined the interaction of comfort with the urban climate. This issue was studied throughout the twentieth century, but recently the role which can be played by biometeorological indices…

Assessing the effectiveness of green roofs in enhancing the energy and indoor comfort resilience of urban buildings to climate change: Methodology pr…

2021

Abstract The effects of climate change on the built environment represents an important research challenge. Today, green roofs (GRs) represent a viable solution for enhancing energy and urban resilience in the face of climate change, as they can have a positive impact on the building's indoor thermal comfort and energy demand, as well as inducing various environmental benefits (easing urban heat island effects, improving the management of runoff water, reducing air pollution, etc.). Thus, it is important to be able to assess their effectiveness, both today and under future climate conditions, in order to evaluate whether they can also provide a valid long-term solution. In this paper, a sim…

Applying the European Ecolabel brand to buildings: the role of the indoor requisites

2009

Radiative heat exchanges of people in complex geometry buildings: An experimentally based algorithm for computing angle factors

2008

Thermal comfort of people working or living in confined spaces depends, to a large extent, on the radiative thermal exchanges. These contributions are expressed, among other things, as a function of the mean radiant temperature that, in the general cases where there is a presence of high intensity sources, must be expressed as a function of the angle factors between subjects and the surrounding surfaces of enclosures. Angle factors, in turn, depend on the projected area factors. Despite this evidence, at the present there is a lack in the availability of simple and reliable methods capable of computing angle factors of people in assigned postures with respect to complex geometry buildings. …

An MAS-based subjective model for indoor adaptive thermal comfort

2015

The achievement of high level personalized sets of comfort parameters is contemplated within the more general context of the so-called smart buildings, where people, by means of the new communication technologies, become active actors to the process of the singling out and control of the best indoor conditions. This Dynamic Intelligence approach would usefully contribute to a better energy efficient and environmental friendly management of buildings. Multi-Agent schemes are suitable tools in this aim, since they are able to manage the user-building-plant system where the adaptivity of people to the indoor conditions is suitably achieved. In this paper a contribution to a development of the …

Assessment of a mattress with phase change materials using a thermal and perception test

2017

Abstract Mattresses composed by phase change materials (PCMs) may improve the thermoregulation of the human body. The aim of the study was to analyse the thermoregulatory efficiency of a PCMs and a conventional mattresses via the evaluation of the skin temperature, thermal comfort and thermal perception. Twenty participants lay on a PCMs and a conventional mattress for 20 min in each mattress on the same day. Skin temperature of the back of the participants and temperature of the sheet of the mattresses were measured before and immediately after lying on each mattress. Thermal comfort and thermal perception were also reported during the last minute of the lying test. The PCMs mattress resul…

Liberty winter gardens in Palermo: contamination from solar design

2020

At the end of the 19th century, the city of Palermo boasted a tradition of steel elements that could include the most beautiful railings and light steel structures of the time. The paper shows how the technological, formal and spatial aspects of the metallic construction was derived by the application of Central Europe areas examples to the local reality, providing notions on designs, experimentations and originalities. Canopies, verandas, winter gardens and orangeries are architectural elements in iron and glass that represent an added value for the building, they improve the life quality of the people who live there. In particular, in the Liberty architecture these elements took shape thr…