Analysis on indoor thermal environment and optimization on design parameters of rural residence. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shao, Nina; Zhang, Jili; Ma, Liangdong
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 12(2017)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 238
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Rural residence -- Indoor thermal environment -- Design parameters optimization -- Orthogonal numerical experiment; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2017.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Saving energy in rural residences is of great importance. In this paper, a field investigation of the basic physics information and thermal environment of rural residences was carried out, using a rural residence in Dalian as an example. Based on the analysis of this investigation, we find that the thermal performance of the building envelope, the living habits of the occupiers and the household economy have a close relationship with unsatisfactory residential thermal environment. Therefore a new perspective regarding optimization of rural residences is provided in terms of building plan layout, shape and properties of the building envelope. This paper presents rural residential optimization methods in which orthogonal numerical test and rules for integrated balancing methods are combined. Through numerical simulation with TRNSYS, the significance of different factors influencing indoor temperature has been given, and the optimal thermal parameters of the building envelope and plan layout of a rural residence are determined. The results show that south window-to-wall ratio is the most significant factor influencing indoor temperature and therefor this is the primary parameter requiring optimization. The south window-to-wall ratio of a rural residence in a cold region should be 45%. In addition, it is demonstrated that the optimal rural residence, when compared to traditional rural residences, has a satisfactory social benefit in terms of improving the indoor thermal environment and protecting the atmospheric environment during a heating season. This paper will offer a theoretical reference for the construction of modern rural residences. Highlights: Reasons for unsatisfactory rural residential thermal environment are provided based on a field investigation. A new perspective of optimizing rural residence in terms of plan layout and building envelope is proposed. The significance of different factors influencing indoor temperature is determined. The combination form of different parameters influencing indoor temperature is optimized quantitatively. Optimal rural residence focused on parameters of building envelopes and plan layout is provided.