User Thermal Comfort in Historic Buildings: Evaluation of the Potential of Thermal Mass, Orientation, Evaporative Cooling and Ventilation

Mamdooh Alwetaishi, Ashraf Balabel, Ahmed Abdelhafiz, Usama Issa, Ibrahim Sharaky, Amal Shamseldin, Mohammed Al-Surf, Mosleh Al-Harthi and Mohamed Gadi
Additional contact information
Mamdooh Alwetaishi: Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Ashraf Balabel: Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Abdelhafiz: Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Usama Issa: Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Ibrahim Sharaky: Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Amal Shamseldin: Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Al-Surf: U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Institute, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Mosleh Al-Harthi: Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21099, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Gadi: Department of Architecture Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: The study investigated the level of thermal comfort in historical buildings located at a relatively high altitude in the Arabian Desert of Saudi Arabia. The study focused on the impact of the use of thermal mass and orientation on the level of thermal performance at Shubra and Boqri Palaces. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were used in this study, including a questionnaire interview with architecture experts living at the relatively high altitude of Taif city, to obtain data and information from local experts. The computer software TAS EDSL was used along with on-site equipment, such as thermal imaging cameras and data loggers, to observe the physical conditions of the building in terms of its thermal performance. The study revealed that the experts’ age and years of experience were important aspects while collecting data from them during the survey. The use of thermal mass had a slight impact on the indoor air temperature as well as the energy consumption, but it helped in providing thermal comfort. Use of ventilation can improve thermal comfort level. Evaporative cooling technique has a considerable impact on reducing indoor air temperature with 4 °C drop, improving the thermal comfort sensation level. The novelty of this work is that, it links the outcomes of qualitative results of experts with field monitoring as well as computer modelling. This can contribute as method to accurately collect data in similar case studies.

Keywords: historical buildings; thermal mass; orientation; hot regions; evaporative cooling; ventilation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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