Holistic sensitivity analysis on urban geometry and its effect on building performance in hot arid zones

Lila, Anas; Lannon, Simon; Jabi, Wassim

Abstract

There is a need to assess the growth of urban communities through analytical frameworks that have a multi-objective and holistic approach. In this paper, a sensitivity analysis was conducted on urban geometry with a holistic and integrative approach as it has a significant influence on the building heat loss/gain that determines the energy demand needed to achieve indoor thermal comfort. Simulation tools that analyse urban geometrical variables are available in commonly used parametric design software. This study analysed urban geometrical variables such as (height, built area ratios, orientation and window to wall ratio). In addition, it gives an insight into the buildings’ inter-shadowing effect by adding the context buildings’ built area ratio in the tested grid. Furthermore, the study includes daylighting sensitivity analysis by changing the lighting control systems. Two sets of materials were used to refine the results for the study conducted for the city of Aswan in Egypt which has a hot arid climate. Additionally, the study investigated the effect of changing lighting controls (standard ON/OFF controls vs. dimmers) on cooling energy consumption. Using the Daylight autonomy results to change the lighting schedules of the tested energy zones is time-consuming, suggesting that the daylighting distribution is better suited for later design stages rather than being a key component of energy analysis in early design stages. The geometrical variables’ relative importance on energy performance on the energy deman for cooling of mid-rise residential buildings in hot arid zone urban configuration are as follows: Window-to-wall ratio (WWR); built area ratios; heights; and finally orientation. The results of this study show the need for a staged approach to early stage design with increasing simulation complexity as the design develops. This can be achieved in a single environment where simulation components are carefully combined.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: Sustainable Design of the Built Environment SDBE 2017
• Start Date: Dec 20, 2017
• End Date: Dec 21, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 21, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2023
• Pages: 193-204
• Book Title: Sustainable Design of the Built Environment SDBE 2017
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10274605
• Related Public URLs: https://easychair.org/cfp/SDBE2017