Examining Daylighting and Shading Devices Performance in High Temperature Conditions

Abstract

At recent days, many architects tend to design buildings’ envelope with highly void ratio to insure view out and allow the maximum access to daylight. Using large glazed facades in sub-tropical climates, like Jordan is considered as a challenge due to the glare and overheating that leaves behind. Daylight and shading devices were developed to improve occupants’ comfort inside buildings in such climates at the same time saves energy. Solving the over glare and heat caused by direct sunlight is one of the most important reasons why they were used. They can block up to 90 percent of this heat. The current research examined the thermal effect of three daylight and shading devices in one of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) typical corridors. The research used real experiments to study what was mentioned by using light shelf (louvers), egg-crate and double facades. They were installed in one of identical physical models in real sky to compare air temperature inside with non-treated one. The results showed that double facade “textured glass” performed better than the other two devices to control the unprofitable heat that enters the building.

Keywords: Daylight and shading devices, heat gain. light shelf, egg-crate and double facades.