2 research outputs found
Integrated design approach for responsive solar-shadings in double skin facades in hot arid climate
Ph. D. Thesis.To deliver climate adaptive architecture, current trends in architecture are directed
towards dynamic and responsive building skins. âResponsive building skinâ is used to describe
the ability of building envelopes to adapt in real time in response to external environmental
conditions. Recent attention has focused on âsoft roboticsâ approach which uses soft and/or
extensible materials to deform with muscleâlike actuation, mimicking biological systems.
Material embedded actuation can autonomously alter shading systemsâ morphology
stimulated by external environmental conditions. Passively thermallyâactivated shading
systems offer responsive actuation by solarâradiation and stratified hot air in a double skin
façade (DSF) without recourse to energy consuming systems.
This research identifies the intersection between bioâinspiration, folding principles and
smart materials to integrate the underlying mechanisms in responsive solarâshading systems
and assesses their environmental performance. The thesis proposes an interdisciplinary mixed
methodology linking handsâon experimentation with environmental performance simulation
of responsive building skins. âPracticeâled approachâ is used to explore the design potential of
responsive systems using smart materials. âComputational Fluid Dynamicsâ (CFD) numerical
methods are used to measure the impact of responsive solarâshading systems on multiple
environmental factors in a DSF cavity. This helps the design decisions, selection and
customisation of smart materials. Handsâon experimentation is used to explore various
prototypes, leading to the selection of a folded prototype, to be simulated for environmental
performance. Solarâshading systems are tested within a DSF, in an hot arid climate. Flat and
folded solarâshading devices are installed in a DSF cavity with three aperture sizes (30%, 50%
& 70%) to represent the responsive system states. Pointâinâtime simulations are carried at
9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 15:00 pm in peak summer and winter day.
The developed analytical design framework presents different design parameters for
responsive solarâshading systems to guide decisionâmaking in research of climate actuated
smart shading systems.
Keywords: Responsive skins, Adaptive facades, Soft robotics, Bioâinspiration, Origami,
Deployable structures, Actuation, Smart materials, Shape memory alloys, Double skin facades,
Energy efficiency, Digital simulation, CFD Modelling