Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma; Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu; Patrick Ajwang; Wariara Kariuki

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

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Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma, Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu, Patrick Ajwang, Wariara Kariuki

Published in American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 2, Issue 6)

Received: 20 November 2014 Accepted: 30 November 2014 Published: 2 December 2014

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Abstract

There is a growing use of green roofs on urban buildings around the world with a focus on reducing energy consumption of buildings. Energy consumption of buildings results mostly from heating or cooling of indoor spaces. When mechanical air conditioners are operating, windows (natural ventilation) are shut. This paper studied 2 field models, one with a living green roof and the other left bare (conventional), both without any sensible or latent heat loss or gain via their ventilation systems. Microclimatic data was collected at the field for the 2 rooms for a period of 25 days. Two microclimate parameters, air temperature and relative humidity which determines the highest effect on indoor thermal comfort were compared for the two models and with the ambient conditions. Result shows that both air temperature and relative humidity of the room with the green roof were lower than the bare roofed house. Fluctuations were also minimal for the green roofed urban building.

Published in	American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
Page(s)	143-151
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Green Roof, Bare Roof, Evaporative Cooling, Cooling Loads, Building Energy

References

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[2]	Hao Huang, L. C. (2012). “A new zone temperature predictive modelling for energy saving in buildings.” Procedia Engineering, 49, pp. 142-151.
[3]	Castleton, H., Stovin, V., Beck, S. B., & Davison, J. B. (2010). Green roofs; building energy savings and the potential for retrofit. Energy and Buildings, 1582-1591.
[4]	Jones, W. P. (1985). Air Conditioning Engineering (3 ed.). London, Great Britain: Edward Arnold.
[5]	Mathumathi, A. C. & Sundharraja. B. M. (2012). Experimental study of passive cooling of building facade using phase change materials to increase thermal comfort inbuildings in hot humid areas. International Journal of Energy and Environment, 3(5), 739-748.
[6]	Santamouris, M. (2012). Cooling the cities – A review of reflective and green roof mitigationtechnologies to fight heat island and improve comfort in urban environments. Sol. Energy http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.003
[7]	Mathieu et al 2007 in Santamoruis 2012.
[8]	Sailor, D. J. (2008). A green roof model for building energy simulation programs. Energy and Buildings, 40, 1466-1478.
[9]	Ondimu, S. N., & Murase, H. (2007). Combining Galerkin methods and neural networks analysis to inversely determine thermal conductivity of living green roof materials. Biosystems Engineering, 96(4), 541-550.
[10]	Omidreze Saadatian, K. S. (2012). A review of energy aspects of green roofs. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, 155-168.
[11]	Chen, C.-F. (2013). Performance Evaluation and Development Starategies for Green Roofs in Taiwan: A review. Ecological Engineering, 52, 51-58.
[12]	Santamouris, M. (2001). Energy and climate in the urban built environment. James & James Science Publishers, London. pp 145-159.
[13]	Kenya. Falling Rain Genomics. Internet. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/KE/01/Juja.html [accessed on 12th December, 2013].
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[16]	Akbari, H., Davis, S., Dorsano, S., Huang, J., Winert, S. (1992). Cooling Our Communities – A Guidebook on Tree Planting and Light Colored Surfacing. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy Analysis, Climate Change Division, January.

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APA Style

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma, Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu, Patrick Ajwang, Wariara Kariuki. (2014). Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 2(6), 143-151. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

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ACS Style

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma; Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu; Patrick Ajwang; Wariara Kariuki. Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2014, 2(6), 143-151. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

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AMA Style

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma, Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu, Patrick Ajwang, Wariara Kariuki. Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate. Am J Civ Eng. 2014;2(6):143-151. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11,
  author = {Sadiq Abubakar Gulma and Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu and Patrick Ajwang and Wariara Kariuki},
  title = {Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {143-151},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20140206.11},
  abstract = {There is a growing use of green roofs on urban buildings around the world with a focus on reducing energy consumption of buildings. Energy consumption of buildings results mostly from heating or cooling of indoor spaces. When mechanical air conditioners are operating, windows (natural ventilation) are shut. This paper studied 2 field models, one with a living green roof and the other left bare (conventional), both without any sensible or latent heat loss or gain via their ventilation systems. Microclimatic data was collected at the field for the 2 rooms for a period of 25 days. Two microclimate parameters, air temperature and relative humidity which determines the highest effect on indoor thermal comfort were compared for the two models and with the ambient conditions. Result shows that both air temperature and relative humidity of the room with the green roof were lower than the bare roofed house. Fluctuations were also minimal for the green roofed urban building.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate
AU  - Sadiq Abubakar Gulma
AU  - Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu
AU  - Patrick Ajwang
AU  - Wariara Kariuki
Y1  - 2014/12/02
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 143
EP  - 151
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
AB  - There is a growing use of green roofs on urban buildings around the world with a focus on reducing energy consumption of buildings. Energy consumption of buildings results mostly from heating or cooling of indoor spaces. When mechanical air conditioners are operating, windows (natural ventilation) are shut. This paper studied 2 field models, one with a living green roof and the other left bare (conventional), both without any sensible or latent heat loss or gain via their ventilation systems. Microclimatic data was collected at the field for the 2 rooms for a period of 25 days. Two microclimate parameters, air temperature and relative humidity which determines the highest effect on indoor thermal comfort were compared for the two models and with the ambient conditions. Result shows that both air temperature and relative humidity of the room with the green roof were lower than the bare roofed house. Fluctuations were also minimal for the green roofed urban building.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma

Department of Civil Engineering, Pan African University, Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI), P. O. Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu

Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P. O. Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi, Kenya
Patrick Ajwang

Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P. O. Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi, Kenya
Wariara Kariuki

Depertment of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, JKUAT, P. O. Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

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APA Style

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma, Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu, Patrick Ajwang, Wariara Kariuki. (2014). Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 2(6), 143-151. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

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ACS Style

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma; Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu; Patrick Ajwang; Wariara Kariuki. Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2014, 2(6), 143-151. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

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AMA Style

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma, Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu, Patrick Ajwang, Wariara Kariuki. Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate. Am J Civ Eng. 2014;2(6):143-151. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11,
  author = {Sadiq Abubakar Gulma and Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu and Patrick Ajwang and Wariara Kariuki},
  title = {Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {143-151},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20140206.11},
  abstract = {There is a growing use of green roofs on urban buildings around the world with a focus on reducing energy consumption of buildings. Energy consumption of buildings results mostly from heating or cooling of indoor spaces. When mechanical air conditioners are operating, windows (natural ventilation) are shut. This paper studied 2 field models, one with a living green roof and the other left bare (conventional), both without any sensible or latent heat loss or gain via their ventilation systems. Microclimatic data was collected at the field for the 2 rooms for a period of 25 days. Two microclimate parameters, air temperature and relative humidity which determines the highest effect on indoor thermal comfort were compared for the two models and with the ambient conditions. Result shows that both air temperature and relative humidity of the room with the green roof were lower than the bare roofed house. Fluctuations were also minimal for the green roofed urban building.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Field Evaluation of Indoor Microclimates of Green and Bare Roofed Urban Buildings at No-Ventilation Condition in a Sub-Saharan Climate
AU  - Sadiq Abubakar Gulma
AU  - Stephen Nyarindo Ondimu
AU  - Patrick Ajwang
AU  - Wariara Kariuki
Y1  - 2014/12/02
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 143
EP  - 151
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20140206.11
AB  - There is a growing use of green roofs on urban buildings around the world with a focus on reducing energy consumption of buildings. Energy consumption of buildings results mostly from heating or cooling of indoor spaces. When mechanical air conditioners are operating, windows (natural ventilation) are shut. This paper studied 2 field models, one with a living green roof and the other left bare (conventional), both without any sensible or latent heat loss or gain via their ventilation systems. Microclimatic data was collected at the field for the 2 rooms for a period of 25 days. Two microclimate parameters, air temperature and relative humidity which determines the highest effect on indoor thermal comfort were compared for the two models and with the ambient conditions. Result shows that both air temperature and relative humidity of the room with the green roof were lower than the bare roofed house. Fluctuations were also minimal for the green roofed urban building.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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