Topic
Deep plan
About: Deep plan is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 19 publications have been published within this topic receiving 153 citations.
Papers
Dissertation•
1 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the use of LCP for daylighting in office buildings and found that LCP is a simple active system that by rotating constantly at 15 degrees per hour, reduces the deviation angle between the panel orientation and sun azimuth angle, and significantly increased the system performance.
Abstract: The use of natural light is very beneficial in office buildings because energy consumption can be reduced, and working conditions can be enhanced, which positively affect workers' health and productivity. However, bringing natural light into deep plan office buildings is not possible with simple windows or skylights, and light transport systems are necessary to bring natural light into the deep cores of buildings. Light transport systems usually need sun-tracking devices to collect natural light that are complicated, expensive and require continual maintenance. Mirrored light pipes coupled with laser cut panels (LCP) are a passive and simpler daylight transport solution and are the focus of this PhD research. The primary aim has been to improve the technology and achieve the most efficient passive solution possible through the interactive use of theoretical modelling, experimental measurements and case studies.
Applications of this technology were investigated in two case studies: 1) as horizontal light pipes for daylight illumination of a high rise building proposal in the tropics; and 2) as vertical light pipes for daylight illumination of a middle-rise deep plan building proposal in a subtropical environment. In both cases, quantitative system performance under best (clear sunny sky) and worst (overcast) case scenarios was undertaken via scale model testing and mathematical modelling. The major conclusion for both case studies was that mirrored light pipe technologies, when coupled with LCP, were effective in introducing sufficient ambient light levels inside buildings and over distances > 20 m from the facade or roof. Average lux levels achieved in the space were 150 to 350 lux for the horizontal light pipes and 50 to 300 lux for vertical light pipes. However, as a passive solution, this technology has two major limitations: 1) the dependence on sun azimuth and elevation angles, which result in variations in illuminance levels during the day and the year; and potentially 2) pipe size, as pipes with a large diameter (e.g. 2 m in diameter for 20 m long pipes) are required for optimal performance, such that the large pipes may limit integration in building design.
Two other solutions were assessed to circumvent these limitations to the mirrored light pipe technology: 1) a passive collector that concentrate natural light by using a fluorescent panel to reduce the size of the pipe, and 2) an active collector comprising a LCP rotating 360 degrees in a 24 hour cycle to reduce system dependence on sun azimuth and elevation angles. The low light-to-light efficiency of the fluorescent panels made them inappropriate for collecting sufficient amounts of daylight necessary for daylighting of large buildings. In contrast, the rotating LCP is a very simple active system that by rotating constantly at 15 degrees per hour, reduces the deviation angle between the panel orientation and sun azimuth angle, and significantly increased the system performance. The performance was generally better (e.g. 2.5 times better for light collection under low sun elevation angles) than the passive light pipe system with fixed LCP. However, active systems raise other issues in terms of cost-benefit in constructing, operating and maintaining such systems.
Passive mirrored light pipes coupled with LCPs or simple active systems with rotating LCPs have great potential as daylight solutions for deep plan buildings as they can contribute to lowering overall energy consumption, improve workplace health and become an architectural design element. Research is still required on the implementation of the technology into buildings, but the growing trend towards 'green buildings', sustainable design and government regulations or building codes will require more daylighting use in buildings, and will motivate designers to increasingly consider and incorporate such daylighting strategies into future building designs.
52 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential of single-sided ventilation through the introduction of a balcony was investigated, and the design of the wing wall at the balcony is investigated to determine its effect on the performance of singlesided indoor ventilation.
Abstract: A deep plan layout and internal partitioning and resistances along the wind path in interior spaces make single-sided ventilation the only strategy possible for residential units. In this work, the potential of single-sided ventilation through the introduction of a balcony was investigated. The design of the wing wall at the balcony was investigated to determine its effect on the performance of single-sided indoor ventilation. The methodology used in was computer simulation (computational fluid dynamics or CFD) validated by data on an existing wind tunnel study and the measurements from a selected case study. CFD simulation was conducted on a simplified model of a medium-rise and low-cost residential building in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Upon validation, the four wing wall depths and three wing wall angles were applied to the balcony, and each was evaluated numerically. Results showed that the provision of wing wall in the balcony could increase the indoor air velocity and airflow rate and improve the airflow distribution in the room if appropriately designed. The indoor ventilation performance was improved by increasing the wing wall size up to a certain depth and deviation of 22.5°. The provision of a balcony with wing walls can be a facade design alternative to improve indoor ventilation and possibly reduce energy consumption in buildings.
41 citations
1 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the benefits of daylight piping technologies, in particular, hollow mirrored light pipes coupled with laser cut panel collectors, are described, and tested on two scale models of buildings, one with horizontal and the other with vertical light pipes as daylight devices.
Abstract: – Deep plans are a common practice in middle and high-rise office building design, and large open plans have become the preferred office layout by modern businesses due to the flexibility of the space and economic benefits achieved from maximum plot to gross floor area ratios. Consequently, the deep core areas of these buildings cannot be naturally illuminated by side windows, and depend entirely on electricity for illumination. This paper describes the benefits of daylight piping technologies; in particular, hollow mirrored light pipes coupled with laser cut panel collectors to enhance natural illumination of deep plan office buildings. Light pipes are assessed by testing two scale models of buildings, one with horizontal and the other with vertical light pipes as daylight devices. Testing was carried out under sunny sky conditions and an artificial sky that closely simulates the CIE overcast sky. Results have shown that mirrored light pipes coupled with laser cut panels can achieve required values for ambient illumination in the core of buildings under sunny conditions, with an overall efficiency (input to output lumens) up to 32%, but their performance drops under overcast conditions.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a pattern for horizontal and vertical cross-sectional form of light-wells has been suggested for better daylighting and stack natural ventilation performance in connected rooms to lightwells.
Abstract: Simultaneous access to fresh air and daylight is one of the main problems in deep-plan buildings, causing increasing energy consumption for artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation. The proper design of light-wells as an integrated system to simultaneously provide daylighting and natural ventilation is the main topic of this research. In this study, a pattern for horizontal and vertical cross-sectional form of light-wells has been suggested for better daylighting and stack natural ventilation performance in connected rooms to light-wells. This suggested pattern of light-well can be used in future projects, located in different places with similar climatic conditions. Furthermore, daylighting and natural ventilation performance in different types of light-wells have been evaluated. The main tool of this research is computer simulation using Energy-Plus, Design Builder and Daysim simulation programs. Results show that the square light-well with 4 × 4 m minimum dimensions and the rectangular light well with 3 × 4 m dimensions can provide adequate ventilation rate and annual illuminance to the rooms connected to the light-well, up to 4 floors under the roof. Nevertheless, the air velocity and airflow pattern inside these rooms are not desirable for cooling by natural ventilation trough the light-well. Also, the quality of ventilated air in rooms connected to light-wells is low because the inlet air to upper floors comes from the outlet air from the lower floor. Considering these results, a revised light-well has been suggested for better daylighting and stack natural ventilation performance with some changes in the horizontal and vertical cross-sectional form.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the performance of light redirection systems via scale model under real sky conditions is studied. And the results demonstrate that laser cut panels can generally increase the interior daylight in the rear of the scale model room, improve the daylight uniformity and have the potential to reduce the electric lighting energy use.
Abstract: In Hong Kong, many buildings are high-rise blocks constructed close to each other resulting in severe sky obstructions, more particularly for rooms at the lower floors. Innovative daylighting technologies that transport natural light from outside towards the inner part of deep plan rooms are appropriate devices to improve daylight uniformity and visual comfort. Good visual effects and less lighting energy use may result if proper designs are employed. This paper studies the performance of light redirection systems via scale model under real sky conditions. The results demonstrate that laser cut panels can generally increase the interior daylight in the rear of the scale model room, improve the daylight uniformity and have the potential to reduce the electric lighting energy use.
22 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |