On the microclimatic behavior of two semi-enclosed attached courtyards in a hot dry region

Meir, Isaac A.; Pearlmutter, David; Etzion, Y.

doi:10.1016/0360-1323(95)00018-2

Cited by 92 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…For this purpose, two adjacent courtyard spaces were selected which had virtually identical geometry and material properties (Meir et al, 1995); one, however, had been planted with three mature trees, whereas the other was devoid of vegetation. Both spaces were surrounded by single-story buildings and elongated in plan along an approximately north-south axis, with a cross-sectional aspect ratio of approximately H/W = 0.5 (Figure 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of trees and grass on outdoor thermal comfort in a hot‐arid environment

Shashua‐Bar

Pearlmutter

Erell

2011

Intl Journal of Climatology

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412

171

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ABSTRACT:The effects of vegetation on human thermal stress in a hot-arid region were tested in two semi-enclosed urban spaces with various combinations of mature trees, grass, overhead shading mesh and paving. The index of thermal stress was calculated hourly from measured meteorological data in the studied sites to evaluate thermal comfort in the different spaces based on radiative and convective pedestrian-environment energy exchanges and sweat efficiency, and expressed on a thermal sensation scale ranging from 'comfortable' to 'very hot'. The efficiency of water use in providing improved comfort was gauged for each of the vegetative landscaping treatments by comparing the total evapotranspiration with the reduction in thermal stress, both expressed in terms of their values in equivalent energy. While conditions in a paved, unshaded courtyard were found to be uncomfortable throughout the daytime hours (with half of these hours defined by severe discomfort), each of the landscape treatments made a clear contribution to improved thermal comfort. With shading, either by trees or mesh, discomfort was reduced in duration by over half and limited in maximum severity when the shading was placed above paving. When combined with grass, both shading mechanisms yielded comfortable conditions at all hours. In both cases, the effect of trees was more pronounced than that of the mesh, but by a small margin. With unshaded grass, 'hot' conditions in the courtyard were restricted to a short period in mid-afternoon, a considerable improvement over unshaded paving, attributable mainly to the lower radiant surface temperatures.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of trees and grass on outdoor thermal comfort in a hot‐arid environment

Shashua‐Bar

Pearlmutter

Erell

2011

Intl Journal of Climatology

Self Cite

412

171

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“…Meir et al (Meir, Pearlmutter, & Etzion, 1995) conducted the very first research regarding the microclimatic behavior of unshaded courtyards. Two identical central courtyards with different orientations (westward and southward) are tested in order to determine the necessary information regarding impacts of geometry on thermal behavior of these models in hot and dry climates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical evaluation of thermal comfort in traditional courtyards to develop new microclimate design in a hot and dry climate

Nasrollahi

Hatami

Khastar

et al. 2017

Sustainable Cities and Society

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The growing interest in thermal comfort of outdoor environments yields in different analysis on courtyards as a common space between urban and architectural scales. However, there is a limited knowledge regarding the microclimatic behavior of such spaces. Using ENVI-met simulations, this paper aims to numerically discuss the thermal performance of different configurations of traditionally designed courtyards in Shiraz, Iran, which experiences hot summers and cold winters. The geometrical effects such as orientation and H/W (height to width ratio) of courtyards are considered as potential parameters to improve the microclimatic conditions. In this paper, PMV and UTCI are used as thermal comfort indices.The obtained results indicate mean radiant temperature and wind speed as the most effective parameters for thermal comfort of courtyards. In addition, the aforementioned geometrical parameters might not be able to solely create a desirable condition, but they could significantly improve the thermal comfort of courtyards during summer and winter. To achieve a desirable thermal comfort level, the results suggest using configurations of a high H/W rate and southward orientation in order to obtain better shading during summer as well as allowing the solar radiation in while regulating the wind speed in winter.

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“…Through history, this basic plan of the courtyard has been modified to fulfil many environmental aspects such as topography, site restriction, building orientation and function to create new shapes of courtyard such as U, L, T or Y (Reynolds, 2002;Wang, 2006). In addition, the design form of courtyard can be fully enclosed (four sided), semienclosed (three sided) or in some cases even two sided (Meir, Pearlmutter, & Etzion, 1995). The courtyard form also has been applied in multistorey housing.…”

Section: Courtyard Configurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…al (2005), have recommended protection of the surface form and its surroundings from intense solar radiation and hot dusty wind as well as cross ventilation concept which have a direct impact on thermal comfort. Meir, et al (1995) studied the effect of three sided courtyard on the microclimate. The courtyard created better microclimatic condition; particularly when some variables are taken into consideration such as the orientation, attach volume and ventilation.…”

Section: Courtyard Configurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Courtyards Design Variants and Its Functions in Malaysian Hospitals

Almhafdy¹,

Ibrahim²,

Ahmad³

et al. 2016

AjBeS

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The courtyard becomes a vital element that commonly applied in tropical buildings for its environmental, social and therapeutic potentials. However, effort to examine its usage and design variants is limited. This paper focuses on the application of courtyards in the context of Malaysian hospitals. Thirty-two courtyards were inventoried. Besides the courtyard functions, design variants were recorded in terms of its form and aspect ratio, courtyard orientation and physical features. The results revealed that the courtyards in the Malaysian hospitals buildings are creatively manipulated. The paper concludes with an outline of means to optimize a courtyard's microclimatic and healing performances.

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On the microclimatic behavior of two semi-enclosed attached courtyards in a hot dry region

Cited by 92 publications

References 3 publications

The influence of trees and grass on outdoor thermal comfort in a hot‐arid environment

The influence of trees and grass on outdoor thermal comfort in a hot‐arid environment

Numerical evaluation of thermal comfort in traditional courtyards to develop new microclimate design in a hot and dry climate

Courtyards Design Variants and Its Functions in Malaysian Hospitals

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