RT journal article
T1 Unravelling the impact of courtyard geometry on cooling energy consumption in buildings
A1 Diz Mellado, Eduardo María
A1 Ruiz Pardo, Álvaro
A1 Rivera Gómez, Carlos
A1 Sánchez de la Flor, Francisco José
A1 Galán Marín, Carmen
A2 Máquinas y Motores Térmicos
K1 Building performance simulation
K1 Building energy modelling (BEM)
K1 Building energy demand
K1 Passive cooling
K1 Courtyards
K1 Microclimate
AB At present, the energy used for air conditioning in buildings in urban areas accounts for over 36% of total global energy consumption. Energy efficiency has become a critical factor in the urban planning of cities worldwide. Courtyard buildings in hot cities are a prime example of the approach used in traditional vernacular architecture to mitigate the effects of extreme weather. However, given the challenge of guaranteeing accurate modelling of microclimates within these courtyards, their impact on energy demand in buildings has been routinely over-looked by energy certification tools. This work examines three empirical case studies selected in Seville city (Spain), where temperatures during the summer months are extreme. The case studies selected display distinct geometric variations, and the primary objective of the research is to assess the influence of this geometric factor on the cooling energy demand of the building indoors. To achieve this, a validated methodology combining experimental and numerical data was implemented to evaluate the energy performance of buildings with courtyards. Different simulations were conducted to detect the impact of individual courtyard features. The results show a reduction in cooling demand of 8-18% depending on the geometry of the courtyard. Analysis was also carried out on the influence of the floor level and the orientation of adjacent rooms, revealing differences of 15% and 22%, respectively. The main conclusion of the research is that the use of courtyards as functional devices, paying particular attention to their geometry, is a key factor in the cooling energy demand of buildings.
PB Elsevier
SN 0360-1323
YR 2023
FD 2023-04-24
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29417
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29417
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 21-sep-2026