1,720,967 research outputs found
Reusing Minarets as a Passive Cooling (Wind Catcher/Solar Chimney): A Case Study in the Emirate of Sharjah
Get PDFThe number of mosques in the United Arab Emirates exceeds 9,000 mosques, including approximately 3,000 mosques in the Emirate of Sharjah alone. The minaret accompanies the design of each mosque, which is equivalent to the number of mosques, and more, since some mosque designs have more than one minaret.
In this research, the idea of repurposing minarets or adding new uses to them is studied, such as using minarets as a passive cooling method, such as using them as wind catchers/solar chimneys that contribute to the process of directing the wind to the prayer hall and work to increase thermal comfort through environmentally friendly passive cooling methods.
The Luqman Mosque in the Al Tay area in Sharjah was studied as a model for a case study. It was drawn using the IESVE computer simulation program, and then different scenarios were created for the idea of creating a connection between the prayer hall and the minaret by making doors and windows. After that, the opening and closing of windows and doors in each case were studied. One side of the prayer hall and the minaret, in addition to scenarios for opening the windows of the dome and adding a divider in the minaret, divides it into two parts. It should be noted that the number of virtual scenarios reaches 34 designs. The results are then analyzed, conclusions are drawn, and the results are then evaluated.
The study revealed the possibility, benefit, and feasibility of the idea of repurposing the minaret in reducing overall energy consumption and the impact of thermal comfort elements such as air temperature, relative humidity, wind movement, mean radiant temperature and CFD in the process of repurposing the minaret
The Effectiveness of Current Policies and Regulations Aimed at Promoting Sustainable Practices in Residential Neighborhoods in Dubai, UAE
No full textThis dissertation provides a comprehensive assessment of the Sa’fat Dubai Green Building Rating System and its role in advancing sustainability in residential zones. The study seeks to identify and address the shortcomings in existing policies, recommend improvements, and conduct a detailed examination of green building standard practices. Utilizing a methodological framework that integrates a thorough review of literature,extensive surveys, and advanced computer-based simulations, the research evaluates the collaborative dynamics between governmental efforts, the private sector's initiatives, and community participation. The outcomes reveal significant policy voids, with the Sa'fat framework leading to energy savings between 10% and 47% in different cases as assessed by the IES-VE software, underscoring the imperative of tailored sustainability approaches. The financial examination, however, indicates the economic impracticality of certain scenarios, such as the extensive payback period of 51 years for green roofs, versus the 8.5 years for triple-glazing, necessitating a judicious balance of cost-effectiveness in sustainable methodologies.The dissertation's primary recommendations advocate for a more systematic integration of policies, informed by international benchmarks such as BREEAM, and the establishment of more definitive guidelines to differentiate the levels of certification within the Sa'fat system. Emphasizing the critical role of data-driven policymaking and active engagement of all stakeholders, the dissertation proposes strategies to bolster the efficacy of the system. These strategic recommendations are designed to serve as a guide for policymakers and urban planners in fostering sustainable urban development in Dubai and in other rapidly growing cities with similar contexts
تطبيق استراتيجيات التبريد السلبي المناسبة لمبنى مكاتب لتحسين كفاءة الطاقة في المبنى الدراسة لمبنى قائم في دبي
No full textThis study is to present passive building cooling design strategies by combining different physical solutions. To mention some: exterior façade design, window opening, air redirection, green roofing, and building insulation. However, using natural ventilation or other practices instead of an AC system for office buildings in the hot climate of Dubai in the winter can play an important role in saving building energy when the weather conditions are acceptable. Thus, using natural resources in addition to architectural building enhancements is important to reduce energy consumption.In response to the hot local climate in Dubai, the study suggests passive cooling strategies to reduce building energy consumption and maximize the indoor comfort level for building users in office buildings in Dubai. It begins to try to find ways to enhance or increase the natural air velocity and decrease indoor temperature in interior spaces by contributing some parameters to building design and enhancing building specifications without using electricity. In addition, this research aims to modify building design by applying passive cooling strategies to a building model and using computational building software “IES” to compare and find the optimum building design in terms of building efficiency.
The study selected an office building, and multi-passive cooling strategies were applied to the energy simulation software IES to test and evaluate the building's energy savings and consumption. The study re-modelled the building in five design phases to apply passive cooling techniques and test it individually. Firstly, finding optimal building orientation, then the window enhancement phase, applying shading devices and external wall insulation, and finally, phase five, applying a green roof.
As a result, the building achieved 35% at the optimal developed model in terms of energy savings during the summer season, while the spring scenario saved about 26% and in the winter about 25%. On the other side, the indoor thermal comfort and indoor temperature indicated in this study help understand how the applied passive cooling strategies impact building behavior
Investigation of Urban Ventilation Strategies for the Improvement of Wind Comfort Levels in Sharjah
No full textThis study examines the influence of urban design strategies on wind comfort in Sharjah, UAE, through the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and SimScale software simulations. Analyzing UTCI values at 20 points within the city, this research evaluates the effects of various urban scenarios, including building orientations, open spaces, building heights, vegetation, and building-to-street width ratios, on urban climate management. Key findings indicate significant impacts of urban design on microclimates and comfort levels. The North-South orientation notably reduces UTCI values in all studied months, particularly in December by 3.91%, while the West-East orientation generally enhances thermal comfort, despite some exceptions in April and August. The Northeast-Southwest orientation shows mixed results, underperforming relative to the North-South and West-East orientations. Building heights and vegetation placement, especially tree spacing, crucially affect UTCI values, offering methods to lessen urban heat. The study further explores the building height to street width ratio's positive role in urban thermal comfort, with computational fluid dynamics simulations revealing key airflow patterns that highlight urban design's role in optimizing wind flow and preventing adverse conditions. Ultimately, this research presents a detailed guide for urban designers, planners, and policymakers on improving thermal comfort and sustainability in city layouts, emphasizing strategic urban planning's importance in combating climate change and enhancing urban resilience and livability
Evaluation of LEED Interior Design Environment to Improve the Indoor Environmental Quality Through Enhancing Lighting Parameters of UAE Campus Buildings
No full textThis study investigates the integration of interior artificial lighting, daylight, and quality views, all of which fall under Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), a key LEED (ID+C) credit in interior design environments. The research focuses on a campus building in the UAE, specifically the British University in Dubai. Effective design of these variables can enhance visual comfort and improve the building's indoor environment, including lighting quality and user performance. The methodology combines online surveys, field measurements, and computer simulations using DIALux EVO 11. It also considers human factors among students and staff through a mixed-method approach to validate findings and correlate data. The study aims to connect objective and subjective assessments of environmental factors in both daylight and artificial lighting, including lux value, uniformity ratio, glare, and daylight factor, according to EN 12464-1 (2021) standards. Field measurements validate outcomes from the base model in the software. The research offers practical insights into enhancing IEQ in campus buildings through various lighting strategies and scenarios. It analyzes different spaces based on LEED classifications, such as auditoriums, classrooms, libraries, and administration areas. The key findings emphasize the need to balance lighting parameters and conditions to achieve optimal results. The results show improved lighting conditions, enhanced lux values, glare reduction, and balanced light distribution across various spaces, benefiting user experience and performance. For instance, in the corridor areas, the lux value met the target value, ensuring the desired lighting quality. In other locations, such as the auditorium and classroom FF-111, lux values significantly exceeded the target levels, with values reaching 527lx and 602lx, respectively, greatly enhancing overall lighting conditions. The study's actionable insights cater to designers, architects, and stakeholders involved in campus building projects in the UAE. By integrating sustainable standards, this research promotes environmentally sustainable indoor environments that prioritize occupant well-being and enhance the quality of educational spaces
تسليط الضوء على الاستدامة، تعزيز أداء الإضاءة الداخلية في الإمارات العربية المتحدة دراسة حالة جامعة عجمان
No full textThis study explores the prevelance and impact of light pollution indoors at Ajman University, UAE, with particular reference to its implications for health, productivity, and energy efficiency. While light pollution outside has gained much notice, the academic interior is less understood, particularly in hot and arid environments like the UAE. Utilizing the mixed-methods approach field measurements, surveys with students, interviews with faculty, and DIALux simulations the study evaluates the performance of lighting in prominent academic spaces such as Labs, studios, and corridors. Outcomes recognize serious inefficiencies such as poor illuminance (e.g., 120–160 lux in studios vs. the optimal 300–500 lux), uneven light distribution, and excessive glare leading to eye strain, fatigue, and compromised academic performance. Energy audits recognize power densities for lights reaching 16.51 W/m² in some areas. Design suggestions LED retrofitting, daylighting integration, and smart control have the potential for savings of 30–50% with increased visual comfort. Such measures align with the UAE Vision 2050 sustainability targets and provide an example for universities to follow people-focused, energy-efficient lighting schemes. Closing the gap between technical performance and occupants' wellbeing, this research offers a model for enhancing the lighting in learning facilities in arid environments, resulting in healthier and sustainable learning environments
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
- …
