ELEMENTS OF BUILDING FABRIC
Opening 1. Weather Roofing
Walls
THERMAL INSULATION
three basic types of insulation:
- Manahan (1981)
insulation can come in different
forms:
Reflective Insulation
Reostra
Kilo
U-VALUE
HEAT STORAGE VALUE (HSV)
TIME LAG
For Hot Humid climates
Hong (1999) notes that walls and
roof should have the following
properties:
Microclimate
*Heat Island Effect
*Factors
*Vegetation
*Vegetation and Wind
* Building Configuration
2. Avoid thermal ridges
3. Double Glazing
4. Special Glazing (low-e glass)
5. Spectrally Selective Coatings
-- filters out 40-70% heat transfer
1. Double Glazed Façade
"A material providing high resistance to heat flow" (Ching, 1997)
-Applying an effective system of thermal insulation on a building is another
way of making a building energy efficient. In cold temperature climates,
thermal insulation prevents heat from escaping the building. This greatly
reduces the energy demand for the building's heating system.
a. SURFACE INSULATION - used on or over surfaces such as roof insulation.
b. INTERNAL INSULATION - used in between gaps of structural members such
as insulation blankets
c. AIR SPACES - formed between structural components
a. Blankets and Batts - insulation often used in between floor joists, wall
studs and rafters.
b. Board and Slabs - insulation such as board insulation and polystyrene slabs.
c. Loose Fill - poured inside cavities
d. Rolls and Sheets - often used as reflective surfaces
Purlins
Truss
is the amount of heat a building section or material is able to transmit in a
given period of time. U-Value is measured in terms of Watts/sq. m.(insert
degree symbol)C (Metric) and Btu/hr-sq ft (insert degree symbol)F (English).
(Hong, 1999)
Certain materials have the capacity to store heat. HSV is the product of the
specific heat capacity (p) and the density of a substance (c).
The time it takes the material to release or propagate the heat.
-Time Lag will vary depending on the material's heat storage capacity, density
and thickness (Manahan, 1981)
a. A reflective surface (low absorption)
b. Light weight material (low heat capacity)
c. Insulated (low U-value)
d. Maximum time lag of Three (3) hours
e. Roof and ceiling should have a cavity
f. A reflective surface with a cavity will reduce heat gain
g. If there are heavy walls, they should be used in rooms used during the day
and should be well shaded
little vegetation causes cities to higher temperature
⁃Thermal properties of materials
⁃Concrete and asphalt
⁃Combustion of fuels
⁃Urban greenhouse
⁃Lower heat capacity
⁃Roof garden
• Intensive planted roof (accessible)
• Ecological green roof (not accessible)
Grassy areas give maximum ventilation
PASSIVE COOLING THROUGH SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES
(Prowler, 2007) -In tropical climates, penetration of solar radiation into the interior spaces of
a building cause very significant (if not the most significant) increase in the
spatial temperature which in turn increases the demand of mechanical
cooling. Sun control is thus an important factor in the level of energy
efficiency that a building wants to achieve.
(Yeang, 2000) -A commercial skyscrapers total energy consumption is largely used to to
power its HVAC system followed by its lightning system. Energy consumption
of other components such as conveying systems, plumbing and sewerage
system are marginal. It is therefore logical to focus on making a building's
HVAC system more efficient.
- In tropical climates, where discomfort due to heat is predominant
throughout the year, the prevention of any unnecessary heat gain particularly
through solar radiation can cause significant savings in energy consumption
that would else have been allocated for mechanical cooling
- Engineered sunshades
West and South side vertical
South and North side horizontal
Baker (1992) - In the Philippines, many buildings and building users as well have the
common misconception that heat gain through un-shaded windows can be
prevented by simply installing interior shades such as Venetian blinds or
curtains. In fact, such shades do not have any significant effects in preventing
solar heat gain because they stop heat once it has already penetrated the
glazing.
-He demonstrated that white interior blinds allow a 46% solar gain factor. The
heat that has penetrated the window glazing is temporarily stopped by the
interior blinds but it then able to spread into the room by radiation and
convection. In contrast, the same white blinds if installed outside the glazing
will only allow a 12% solar gain factor.
BASICS IN SOLAR CONTROL IN 1. The EAST and WEST FACING sides of the building receive the most amount
TROPICAL CLIMATES: of heat.
2. The afternoon sun, which is particularly hot, will largely hit the WEST
FACING side of a building.
3. In the Philippines, the Sun will rise in the EAST, flank slightly to the SOUTH
then set in WEST.
4. Full height glazing is best applied to the NORTH FACING side because this
side receives the least amount of direct solar radiation.
5. HORIZONTAL SUNSHADES are best applied to the NORTH and SOUTH
FACING SIDES of a building because the sun will hit these sides from a high
altitude.
6. VERTICAL FINS are best applied to EAST and WEST FACING SIDES of a
building because the sun will hit these sides a low altitude and mostly from an
oblique azimuth.
7. When the facades of a building do not run along the NORTHSOUTH or EAST
WEST AXIS, the facade openings need to be protected by both Horizontal and
Vertical shades.
8. A combined horizontal and vertical shade is called an EGGCREATE
SUNSHADE (Bris-soleil) South and West (hottest part)
9. If the interior spaces cannot be protected 100% from direct solar radiation,
consider using special facade such as double layered facades, Low-e glazing
etc.
10. Do not to rely completely on facade techniques to protect the building
form solar heat gain. It is still best to first protect your spaces by shading
them, then use special facade to protect the spaces from remainder or
indirect solar radiation.
11. Interior blinds such as Venetian blinds will not reduce solar heat gain
because they stop the heat only when it is already inside the space. This heat
will eventually move past the blinds by convection or radiation.
12. If you wish to protect an opening using louvers, it is better to exterior
louvers.
13. In designing sun shading devices, you must know where the sun will strike
at different times of the day. Study different sun angles using a solar path
diagram so that you can design shades that will provide the best shading
possible.

ALTITUDE
AZIMUTH
SOLAR PATH DIAGRAM
SUMMER SOLSTICE (longest day
time)
EQUINOX (spring and autumn)
WINTER SOLSTICE (shorter day time)
14. Designs of shades differ as you move through different geographic
latitudes. Make sure that you are using a solar path diagram that covers the
latitude of your site.
15. Consider various site elements such as vegetation and topographical
features in sun-shading design. For example, a west facing side of building
that is covered by the afternoon shadow of a large group of trees or a hill
need not have shades.
The angular elevation of a celestial body above the horizon. Vertical Angle 0-
90
Horizontal Angle 0-360° along the horizon
A graphic depiction of the path of the sun within the sky vault projected onto
a horizontal plane.
The time of year, on or about June 21, when the sun reaches its northernmost
point on the celestial sphere marking the beginning of summer in the
northern hemisphere.
Either of the two time during the year when the sun crosses the plane of the
celestial equator and when the length of day and night are everywhere
approximately equal; occurring about March 21 (vernal equinox or spring
equinox) and September 21 (autumnal equinox)
The time of year, on or about December 21 when the sun reaches its
southernmost Point on the celestial sphere, marking the beginning of winter
in the northern hemisphere.

Where
Y = Solar altitude angle
δ = Azimuth difference
E = Vertical shadow angle