Award Date

2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture (MArch)

Department

Architecture

Advisor 1

Alfredo Fernandez-Gonzalez, Committee Chair

First Committee Member

Robert Dorgan

Second Committee Member

Daniel Ortega

Graduate Faculty Representative

Robert Boehm

Number of Pages

107

Abstract

This thesis introduces an empirically developed formula to predict the comfort conditions and thermal performance of a Skytherm(TM) Southwest Roofpond placed over a light-weight un-insulated structure built at the School of Architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The predictive formula introduced in this study may be used in different parts of the world (particularly developing nations where insulation and air-conditioning are rarely used) to predict the performance of a Skytherm(TM) Southwest Roofpond using minimal climate data.

The data collected in the experimental setup at the Natural Energies Advanced Technologies Laboratory included outside and inside temperatures of various surfaces of two different test cells built on the site (i.e. a Skytherm(TM) Southwest Roofpond test cell and a control room). For the purposes of this thesis, only outdoor climatic data and indoor air and ceiling temperatures were used to analyze the performance of the system. The period covered by this study was October of 2004 through September of 2006 and March of 2009 through October of 2009.

The predictive formula developed in this study may be used along with similarly developed formulas to identify and suggest the most appropriate locations for the installation of the roofpond system.

Keywords

Energy conservation; Evaporative cooling; Indoor climate control; Passive cooling; Passive heating; Passive strategies; Skytherm Southwest Roofponds; Sustainable architecture; Thermal storage roofs

Disciplines

Architecture | Energy Systems | Environmental Design | Natural Resources and Conservation | Sustainability

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Download


Share

COinS