Thermal Comfort Assessment of a Green Roof at the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Tucson, Arizona

By Uttara Patil and Nader Chalfoun.

Published by The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses

Format	Price
Article: Print	$US10.00
Article: Electronic	$US5.00

This paper describes a method for thermal comfort assessment of green roofs in the urban environment of hot-arid regions. The dual goals of this study are to emphasize green roof technology and to create thermally comfortable outdoor spaces. Method of investigation for this project started with an experiment, which included building a test cell of 4’x4’x4’with data acquisition system that accommodated four different roof types. This test cell was then used to record the four environmental variables that helped predict thermal comfort. These were: Surface Temperature, Dry bulb Temperature, Globe Temperature, and Relative Humidity. Average air velocity was used. The premise behind conducting this experiment was to establish the thermal benefits of green roof technology over other roof types studied for hot arid surrounding. The project applied to a proposed green roof at the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Tucson, Arizona. Distinct locations were chosen on the proposed roof for performing thermal comfort analysis. Fish eye lens photography along with other data acquisition systems were used to simulate the conditions using OUTDOOR © program. The results indicated uncomfortable conditions on the proposed roof which were improvised through design modifications and conducting simulation to create thermally comfortable outdoor spaces.

Keywords:	Green Roof, Thermal Comfort, Outdoor Software

The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, Volume 1, Issue 4, pp.55-70. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 3.047MB).

Uttara Patil

University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Uttara Patil is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona, Tucson, USA where she obtained her M.Arch degree with specialization in Design & Energy Conservation. She has a B.Arch degree from University of Pune, India and has worked as an independent architect as well as with prominent architects in Pune. Her interests include energy efficient design, sustainable architecture and energy conservation.

Nader Chalfoun

Professor and Coordinator, Graduate Program in Design & Energy Conservation, School of Architecture, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Dr. Nader Chalfoun is Professor and Coordinator, Graduate Program in Design & Energy Conservation, School of Architecture at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Dr. Nader Chalfoun’s research interests include energy conservation, passive solar architecture, outdoor environmental comfort, green building materials, and sustainable architecture. Dr. Chalfoun has received a number of research related awards and grants including TEP grants for energy conservation and community education programs. He regularly publishes articles in professional journals and presents at international conferences, and is founder and active member of a number of architecture and solar associations. Keynote panelist and invited speaker at several symposiums and societies, he has patents and registration at the Syndicate of Egyptian Engineers. He has been a consultant to several firms and companies including Planetary Design Corporation, Tucson Electric Power, Southwest Gas, Salt River Project, Arizona State Energy Office, Research & Technology Institute of Gabarone, American University Cairo, Architecture Research Laboratory Inc., and more.

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