Shading devices applied to sun control in occupied spaces in summer conditions

Abstract

This work presents a study of a numerical building dynamic simulation in the development of a horizontal shading device passive solution applied in a university canteen. The used building dynamic simulation software, that simulates simultaneously a building or groups of buildings with complex topologies, in transient conditions, considers the solar radiation, the HVAC system, glass radiative proprieties, radiative heat exchanges, thermal solutions, thermal comfort of occupants, indoor air quality, among others properties. The development of efficient external horizontal shading devices is made by a numerical model that uses the sun's trajectory and its position in relation to the windows where it falls. The canteen is constituted by three levels and is divided in 37 spaces. In the numerical simulation, 100 transparent surfaces and 773 opaque surfaces are considered. Special attention is given in the students’ main canteen, professors’ main canteen, specialized canteen and university bar. The simulation is made, in summer conditions, considered the selected spaces without and with horizontal shading devices placed above their windows. In the simulation, the occupancy and the implemented ventilation system are considered. Regarding to the obtained results the use of horizontal shading devices can reduce the air temperature range and improve the thermal comfort level that the occupants are subjected in some of the analyzed spaces.