Ma Manuela J.R. Lúcio

Numerical Study of the Thermal Efficiency of a School Building with Complex Topology for Different Orientations

In this work a numerical model that simulates the thermal behavior of a building with complex topology and evaluates the indoor thermal and air quality, in transient conditions, is used for a school building thermal project. The program calculates the building surfaces solar radiation field, the buildings temperatures, the internal environmental variables, and the occupants comfort levels. Initially, after the numerical model is validated, the software is used to evaluate the school buildings thermal response for four different orientations, either in winter or summer conditions. The work then aims to identify uncomfortable spaces in order to propose, as an example, several solutions that could be introduced for each orientation, that would improve the thermal comfort and air quality levels to which the occupants are subjected, and decrease the buildings energy consumption levels. The information obtained from this study could be used to help a designer choose which thermal systems and solutions function best for a preferred school building orientation.

Application of a School Building Thermal Response Numerical Model in the Evolution of the Adaptive Thermal Comfort Level in the Mediterranean Environment

Abstract In this paper, a review is made of the adaptive thermal comfort model. This is then applied and compared with the performance of the conventional thermal comfort model for a school located in a Mediterranean weather environment. Measurement data, combined with a building thermal response numerical model, are used to define the comfort performance under ambient natural ventilation and passive conditions for various classrooms. These results can then be used to identify the locations that require further measures to improve comfort, such as extra passive heat load and shading measures. The school design is based on that of an actual school and consists of three buildings, with 94 rooms. Envelope construction consists of opaque panels, 307 glazed window units and concrete floors and ceilings. The adaptive method uses external and internal environmental variables. Input data include occupation pattern and ventilation strategies. External environmental variables include air temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity and wind direction. Internal parameters include occupancy cycle, occupant activity level, clothing level, airflow rate and flow velocity. Indoor ventilation conditions are based on the airflow rate and the air velocity values measured in real classrooms. Environmental thermal comfort conditions were evaluated, in all occupied spaces, using the PMV index method of the Fanger model corrected with the adaptive model.

Numerical and experimental study of personalized ventilation installed in a double occupation desk placed nearby a window subjected to solar radiation

ABSTRACT In this study the thermal comfort, the local thermal discomfort and the air quality levels, experienced by two occupants seated at a classroom desk are analysed. The desk is equipped with personalized ventilation systems and is positioned nearby a window subjected to solar radiation. Experimental observations are based on a manikin study and results are compared with CFD analysis using the k-epson and the RNG turbulent models. In the experimental tests the air velocity and temperature were measured in the air terminal devices and around the human body. Relative humidity was measured inside the space, solar radiation was evaluated in the window glass and the Mean Radiant Temperature was numerically evaluated. In the numerical methodology, the thermal comfort level in a non-uniform environment was evaluated using the developed multi-nodal human thermal comfort numerical model, the local thermal discomfort level is evaluated through empirical models, while the air quality level and the detailed airflow around the occupants were evaluated using CFD analysis.

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems Control Based in the Predicted Mean Vote Index

Abstract In this work a numerical model, which simulates the buildings thermal response and evaluates the indoor environment comfort, in transient conditions, is used in the application of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems control, based in the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index, in the energy and thermal comfort performance in a kindergarten school building, in the South of Portugal, in Winter conditions. In the control the PMV index, based in the mean air temperature, the mean air velocity, the mean air relative humidity, the mean radiant temperature, the clothing level and the activity level, are used. In the numerical simulation of the kindergarten, the 25 compartments, the 498 building main bodies and the 42 windows glasses, as well as two schools and three residential surrounding main buildings, are considered.

Human Thermo-Physiological Sensation Control Based in the Adaptive Comfort Philosophy

Abstract In order to improve the building thermal efficiency, increase the human thermal comfort level and to reduce the building energy consumption, in this work, the human thermo-physiological sensation control, based in the adaptive comfort philosophy, is applied. In this control methodology the occupants, during a lesson activity, can choose among the clothing level, the activity level and the natural ventilation system. The PMV and PPD indexes are used in the numerical simulation. This work is made in a classroom school building, in the Algarve region, with Mediterranean characteristics, in Spring conditions, based in air temperature and relative humidity measurements. The comparison of the human thermal comfort level without and with control strategies is made. The obtained results are used to define an applicable activity, clothing and ventilation strategy, during the day.