| Author(s) | Nasser A. M. Al-Hemiddi |
| Affiliation | Assistant Professor, College of Architecture and Planning, K i n g S a u d U n i v e r s i t y , P . O . B o x 5 7 4 4 8 , R i y a d h 1 1 5 7 4 , S a u d i A r a b i a . |
| Title | The Thermal Performance of Buildings Adjacent to Earth in Hot |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Architecture & Planning. Volume 14, No 1. (2002/1422) |
| Abstract | This research focuses on the study of the thermal performance of buildings adjacent to earth mass. The work was conducted during the stmrmer of 1995 - 1996 at the Research Station of the College of Architecture and Planning, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The objective of the study is to reduce the natural temperature of the soil mass and to use the cooled soil as a cooling source for cooling a building, because the natural soil temperature is usually too high in summer and cannot serve as a cooling source. Four experimental phases were conducted and statistical analyses were carried out. Results indicate that the cooled soil covering the external surfaces of the building is an effective method for cooling in hot dry regions. The soil can be cooled by covering the surface of the soil with a layer of 10 cm natural and local materials such as dry palm tree fronds, fine sand and small rocks. It was found that the soil and indoor air temperatures were reduced by 2.5 “C and 5 “C, respectively. However, when the soil was cooled by adding a layer above it, the soil and indoor air temperatures were reduced by about 4.5 “C and 7 “C, respectively. Adding water to the soil mass contributes to lower the soil and indoor temperatures compared to the outdoor air temperature by 4.5 “C and 11.5 “C, respectively. Furthermore, shading the soil from the sun by using tent fabric, reduces the soil mass and indoor air temperatures compared to outdoor air temperature by about 16 “C and 11.5 T, respectively. In addition, the indoor ventilation causes inverse impact on the performance of the soil. Thus the soil can not be used as a cooling source. The research presents some appropriate architectural recommendations for applying soil integrated to buildings in hot and dry regions. |
