Farheen Maam Paper - Lucknow PDF
Farheen Maam Paper - Lucknow PDF
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Abstract: Vernacular Architecture of Lucknow is the outcome of centuries of optimisation of material use, construction
techniques and climate considerations. In contrasts modern buildings of Lucknow are being built with little or no consideration
of climate which increases the buildings appetite for energy. This paper aims to investigate the design strategies for energy
efficiency and thermal comfort specific to contemporary buildings of Lucknow. Bioclimatic Chart, Psychometric chart, Degree
Days and Mahoney’s Table are used to analyse the climate of Lucknow in order to formulate the building design guidelines.
These guidelines will provide appropriate information at project design stage which would help architect in making better use of
natural resources, reduction of operational energy and maintaining indoor thermal comfort by the use of passive solar
techniques.
Keywords:building materials, energy efficiency, climate, comfort, vernacular architecture
I. INTRODUCTION
Climate is defined as an integration in time of the physical states of the atmospheric environment, characteristics of a certain
geographical conditions. [1] Buildings should be designed to accomplish best possible indoor climatic environment to attain human
comfort. Thermal comfort is the condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment and is assessed by
subjective evaluation.[2] The term ‘Bioclimatic Architecture’ was coined by Victor Olgyay in the early 1950s and fully explained in
his book, Design with Climate (1963). He synthesizedelements of human physiology, climatology and building physics, with strong
advocacy of architectural regionalism and of designing in sympathy with the environment.[3] Therefore, he may be considered as
the instigator of Sustainable Architecture.
Sustainability can be best understood by the Vernacular Architecture of a place, which utilizes limited resources to achieve
maximum comfort in collaboration with climate responsive construction techniques evolved with time. In contrary construction
methods have changed greatly in last two and three decades with the advent of new materials and advancement in building
technologies. HVAC system (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) is one of them that ease heating and cooling in the
building therefore architects and designers choose to ignore the fundamental aspect such as climate to maintain indoor comfort
conditions.
Lucknow lies in the composite climate zone according to NBC (National Building Code) which is characterized by extreme
temperatures in summers and winters. For this reason high thermal mass and low window wall ratio is preferable, but contemporary
architects rarely address this concept and designed buildings with high window wall ratio and low thermal mass which increases the
building’s appetite for energy. Vernacular and bioclimatic architecture could be the source of inspiration for them to increase
comfort with lesser use of energy.
few days when the cold winds from the Himalayan region makes the winters chilly.[5] Annual diurnal range of temperature is high
i.e. 19.4 degree Celsius a result days are hot and nights are comparatively cold.
The rainy season is from July to September when the city gets an average rainfall of 990.1 millimeters from the south-
west monsoon winds and about 75% of the precipitation is experienced during the months of June, July, August and September.
(Fig.4) Therefore humidity is high in monsoon and low in summers. The prevailing wind direction of Lucknow is westerly and the
average wind speed is 1.87m/s. [4]
The length of the day in Lucknow varies over the course of the year. The shortest day is December 21, with 10 hours, 27 miutes of
daylight; the longest day is June 21, with 13 hours, 50 minutes of daylight. (Fig. 4) The annual direct solar radiation in Lucknow is
approximately 1646 kWh/m², i.e. the daily average of 4.51 kWh/m². Moreover annual global horizontal solar radiation is around
1814 kWh/m², i.e. the daily average of 4.97 kWh/m². [4]
A. Bioclimatic chart
V Olgyay has constructed a bioclimatic chart on which the comfort zone is defined in terms of dry bulb temperature (DBT) and
relative humidity (RH), but simultaneously it is shown by additional lines showing how this zone could be pushed up by the
presence of air movement and by the presence of radiation.[5] Bioclimatic chart is very effective for the analysis of thermal comfort
as it not only gives the relationship between temperature and humidity but also reveals strategies to achieve comfort conditions.
Climatic data of Lucknow for each months is plotted on bioclimatic chart to investigate the comfort condition and passive strategies
to achieve thermal comfort. (Fig-2). Lines are plotted by taking mean monthly minimum BDT with AM (ante meridiem) relative
humidity and mean monthly maximum DBT with PM (post meridiem) relative humidity, thereafter inferences from bioclimatic
chart showing passive techniques to achieve indoor thermal comfort conditions are shown in Table-2.
TABLE I
INFERENCES FROM BIOCLIMATIC CHART
It is apparent from the Chart that days of April and May and nights of February, March and November are comfortable. Moreover
wind movement of speed 1 to 2 m/s and shading of windows could make hotter months May , June, July, August, September and
October comfortable. As a result in combination with wind direction and shading devices opening position can be decided in
building. Furthermore in January, February, November and December by the intake of solar radiations, colder months can be made
comfortable.
However, there is limitation of Bioclimatic chart as it only indicates passive techniques related to wind movement and solar
radiation hence psychometric chart is used for further analysis to accomplish more design strategies for indoor comfort.
B. Psychometric Chart
ThePsychometric chart was proposed by Givoni in 1976, shows the relationship of dry bulb and wet bulb temperature, absolute
humidity, relative humidity and vapour pressure of moist air. [6] Moreover, different zones are marked in the chart depending on the
properties of air, suggesting design strategies to achieve thermal comfort. These zones are as follows
1) Comfort Zone
2) Evaporative Cooling zone
3) High Thermal Mass/ thermal mass with night flush zon
4) Ventilation z
5) Window shading zon
6) Passive solar heating zone
7) Conventional heating or cooling zone
TABLE II
INFERENCES FROM BIOCLIMATIC CHART
Same as Bioclimatic chart, climatic data of Lucknow was mapped on Psychometric chart (Fig. 2) and then percentage hours of each
month that lies in the different zones of suggested design strategies calculated.[6]. Passive heating is recommended in January,
February, November and December as temperature is below comfort level moreover in June, July, August, September and October,
ventilation is recommended with shading of windows because high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, thermal mass and
window shading is suggested in March April and May due to the reason of hot and dry weather condition. Conventional cooling is
needed in the months of May, June and July to maintain room temperature at comfort level since humidity and temperature both are
high and passive techniques could not fulfil the cooling demand. Same in the month of January, February and December when DBT
is below 9 degree Celsius, conventional heating is needed to maintain indoor comfort.
1000
800
600
400
200
0
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
HDD65 204. 33.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 136.
CDD50 260. 386. 700. 1011 1203 1215 1042 1063 966 827. 549 328.
D. Mahoney's Table
From the above chart it is apparent that The seasonal requirements in composite climate of Lucknow are contradictory therefore a
weighting system must be used to assess the relative importance of conflicting requirements. Furthermore the system must take into
account the duration and severity of the various climatic factors. Based on such a system, a series of following tables have been
derived by 'C Mahoney' [1]-
Table1- records the most essential climatic data.
Table2- facilitates a diagnosis of the climate.
Table3- translates into performance by giving sketch design recommendations.
Table4- illustrates the detailed recommendation for bioclimatic building design.
The climatic analysis with recommended specifications resulting by Mahoney’s table for the climate of Lucknow are shown in Fig-4.
Temperature, humidity and all other climatic data is shown in Table -1 of Manoney'stable, moreover, relative humidity is classified
under four groups. This classification was used in combination with temperature variations to define thermal comfort limits which
are also linked to annual mean temperature (AMT). AMT of Lucknow is 25.25 that lies in group where AMT is indicated above
20°C. Furthermore this is used with four humidity groups to define thermal stress comfort limits. The mean temperature is graded
into four categories of temperature indicators, i.e., O for Comfort, H for Hot and C for Cold for mean temperatures within, above
and below the thermal stress comfort limit, respectively. It indicates the indoor condition or the level of thermal stress, for both day
and night, that is imparted to the occupant of the building. [8]
After diagnosis of temperature and humidity as stated above, remedial actions are recommended in table-3 and 4 of the Mahoney's
Table by following that Architect or designer could attain indoor thermal comfort. These recommended design strategies are
grouped under eight headings of layout, spacing, air movement, openings, walls, roofs, outdoor sleeping and rain protection
requirements is summarised below:
1) Layout: Orientation north and south (long axis east-west)
2) Spacing: Open spacing for breeze penetration but protection form hot and cold wind
3) Air movement: Rooms single banked with permanent provision for air movement.
4) Openings: Recommended Window to Wall Ratio (WWR) 15-25% in north and south wall at body height on windward side.
Moreover direct sunlight should be excluded with proper protection from rain.
5) Walls: Heavy external and internal walls with over 8 hours time lag.
6) Roofs: Heavy roofs with over 8 hours time-lag.
7) Outdoor sleeping: Space for out seating and sleeping
8) Rain protection: Protection from rain with adequate rainwater drainage.
Apart from all the above methods used for analysis of climate, learnings from Vernacular Architecture might be helpful in creating
climate responsive building design guidelines.
V. BUILDING MATERIALS
High thermal mass is recommended for walls and roofs with 8 hours time lag in the Mahoney's Table for Lucknow. Consequently
very thick walls and roofs must be required which is uneconomical in today's scenario due to high property rates and construction
cost. This can be solved by the use of insulating materials over or between the wall and roof surfaces. Rockwool, glass fibre,
expanded polystyrene slab, extruded polystyrene slab and polyurethane foam are commonly used insulating materials. As per
Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), recommended U Value of wall assembly, roof assembly and fenestrations for 24 hour
use building and for daytime use building are given in Table -4. U-value of 0.440 is recommended for wall assembly andU-value of
roof assembly should be 0.261 and the R-value 2.10 for 24-hour use building and 0.409 and the R-value 2.10 for daytime use
building. Glazing of fenestrations should have U-value of 3.3 and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) should be maximum 0.25 for
WWR greater than 40% and 0.20 for WWR between 40-60% [11]
TABLE 1
PRESCRIBED REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING ENVELOPE IN COMPOSITE CLIMATE BY ECBC.[11]
Figure 6: Sun path diagram of Lucknow Figure 7: Shading devices for North, East, South and
(www.jaloxa.eu/resources/daylighting/docs/sunpath_27_north.pdf) West direction of openings in building at Lucknow.
A. Orientation
Results from bioclimatic, psychometric chart and degree days suggest the reduction of heat gain inside the building. For that reason
orientation should be in north south direction (east-west axis) that is also recommended by Mahoney's table, as high altitude sun can
be easily cut by small overhang and low altitude sun can be allowed to enter.
B. Layout
Compact planning or singly banked rooms around medium sized courtyard is recommended by Mahoney's table moreover
vernacular Architecture of Lucknow also educate the same. Compact planning with use of shared walls, heat transfer into the
interiors can be minimised due low surface area to volume ratio. Courtyard with singly banked rooms facilitates the ventilation as
well as shades the windows opening towards court. Moreover, it provides the open space in the interior that can utilised for seating
at evening in summers and at daytime in winters.
C. Openings
Window to wall ratio recommended by Mahoney's table is 15-20% to minimise heat gain with adequate daylight inside the building.
From sun path diagram it is visible that sun rays are at almost 90 degree in the east and west direction hence very difficult to shade,
therefore maximum openings should be in north and south direction.
D. Shading of window
Bioclimatic and psychometric chart suggest shading of windows in the months from March till October. Consequently shading mask
can be created on sun path diagram on the months to be shaded in different directions as discussed above in section 6. Hence
shading devices should be designed according to the direction of placement of windows in building. Shading devices cut the direct
solar radiations and thus reduces the heat gain.
E. Ventilation
Results from a above climate analysis recommends ventilation in the months of June, July, August and September which have high
temperature, humidity and receives 80% of the total yearly rainfall. Air movement facilitates the evaporation of sweat in this humid
weather and thus creates the cooling sensation in the human body. Moreover direction of wind in these months is between east and
north east direction henceforth openable windows should be there in direction of east and north east and also in the opposite
direction of the room to facilitate cross ventilation. Furthermore singly banked rooms facing courtyard also facilitates cross
ventilation in days and nights both as it create air pressure difference.
F. Thermal Mass
Thick wall and roofs are recommended by psychometric chart and Mahoney's table as it acts as thermal mass and restricts and stores
heat at day time and dissipates at night. This help in maintaining the temperature at comfort level as diurnal range of temperate is
high in Lucknow. This phenomenon is also noted in the traditional buildings of Lucknow which makes them comfortable in all
seasons. Contrary to this, thin walls and roofs are used in contemporary buildings due to high land rates and have uncomfortable
indoor conditions in summer and winter both as a result conventional heating and cooling techniques are used to create comfortable
environment. This can be solved by using insulation in walls and roofs as discussed in section-5 to attain desired time lag for heat
to transfer.
VIII. CONCLUSION
Bioclimatic building design guidelines have been framed using the results from bioclimatic chart, psychometric chart, degree days,
Mahoney's Table and learning from Vernacular Architecture of Lucknow. These recommendations would help the designer in
providing innovative and specific design solutions to maintain indoor comfort. Moreover, these guidelines will provide appropriate
information at project design stage which would help architect in making better use of natural resources, reduction of operational
energy and maintaining indoor thermal comfort by the use of passive solar techniques. Furthermore, the methodology used in this
paper would help the architecture students to learn the specific way for doing the analysis of climate.
REFERENCES
[1] O.H. Koenigsberger, T. G.Ingersoll, A.Mayhew, S.V.Szokolay, Manual Of Tropical Housing & Building: Climatic Design, Chennai: Orient Longman Pvt.
Limited, 1973.
[2] S.V. Szokolay, Introduction to Architectural Science- The Basis of Sustainable Design, London and New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2014.
[3] ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy., Atlanta: ANSI/ASHRAE/IES , 2013.
[4] O. P. Singh, J. P. Gupta,& A. H. Warsi, Climate of Lucknow , Lucknow: Meteorological Centre, 2012.
[5] V. Olgyay, Design with Climate: Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1962.
[6] B. Givoni, Man, Climate and Architecture, 2nd Ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1976.
[7] ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings except low rise residential Building,Atlanta: ANSI/ASHRAE/IES , 2013.
[8] F. Bano and R. Gulati, "Energy saving by improved envelope design: Application of energy conservation building codes on existing office buildings in
Lucknow", unpublished.
[9] A.K.Upadhyay, H. Yoshida and H.B. Rijal,"Climate responsive building design in the Kathmandu Valley" , Journal of Asian Architecture and Building
Engineering, Vol. 5, 2006, 169-176. [Online]. Available: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jaabe/5/1/5_1_169/_article)
[10] R. Gulati and Y. Pandaya, "Comparative Thermal Performance of Vernacular Houses at Lucknow: A Quantitative Assessment & Dominant Multiple
Strategies", 30th International Plea Conference16-18 December, Ahmadabad: CEPT University, 2014.
[11] F. Bano, & M. A. Kamal, "Examining the Role of Building Envelope for Energy Efficiency in Office Buildings in India", Architecture Research, 6(5), (2016),
107-115. [Online]. Available:
[12] http://article.sapub.org:doi:10.5923/j.arch.20160605.01