The impact of courtyard geometry on its mean radiant temperature

Abstract

For hot regions, studies have been advocating re-adopting the courtyard pattern for its thermal advantages. Aiming at developing thermally comfortable courtyards, studies have been exploring the impact of courtyards geometry on their shading and natural ventilation, which are the two environmental principles of courtyards. However, there is a lack of studies on the impact of manipulating courtyards geometry on the thermal sensation of occupants. This research investigates the impact of changing the courtyard geometry and the resulted shading on Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) and Globe temperature (Tg). The latter represents the thermal perception of occupants and the former is the main effective factor on the thermal sensation of people in outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces. The research carried out simulation experiments to test 360 different courtyard configurations. The simulation experiments included using Envi-met and IES-VE simulation tools. The former was used to determine MRT and Tg, and the latter to determine shading levels. Baghdad was selected to represent an example of a hot city in which summer air temperature reaches around 50 °C. The results show that the difference in shading that results from changing the courtyard geometry can lead to a difference in MRT and Tg of up to 15°C.