Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Evaluation of Prefabricated Construction Systems and Materials' Thermal Performance with Reference to Housing Construction in Saudi Arabia.(University of Nottingham, 2025) Alkelani, Abdulaziz; Gadi, MohamedIn light of recent revisions to international standards, such as those advocated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the prioritisation of improved air circulation to support more energy-efficient ventilation systems has become evident. These systems simultaneously enhance occupant satisfaction and thermal comfort. Within this framework, the current research systematically examines the thermal performance and comfort of prefabricated houses in Saudi Arabia, a subject of increasing importance given the rise in summertime temperatures, consistent with the global increase in temperatures. The investigation distinctly outlines the implications of individual components of prefabricated buildings, particularly building envelope components, on the comprehensive thermal performance in the extreme climate conditions prevalent in Saudi Arabia. It ventures to shape innovative prospects in the Saudi prefabricated construction industry, emphasising the reduction of energy expenses while elevating the quality of the indoor environment through the introduction of high-performance prefabricated building components and systems. In Saudi Arabia, characterised by a harsh and hot climate, the residential sector accounts for nearly 50% of national energy consumption. With energy demand expected to rise further, this research investigates the thermal performance and thermal comfort potential of prefabricated housing as a sustainable alternative. The study prioritises optimising building envelope components, developing high-performance precast systems, and providing design guidelines to reduce energy consumption and enhance indoor thermal comfort. It is evident that the study centred its investigation on natural ventilation from the initial stage. Consequently, it revealed a significant reduction in total discomfort hours across various cities in Saudi Arabia. Optimal performance, characterised by minimal total discomfort hours, was observed in cities characterised by lower humidity levels. This suggests that cities with higher relative humidity, exemplified by Jeddah, exhibit extended discomfort hours and encounter challenges in achieving markedly low discomfort hours compared to drier cities like Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The research employs field observations of existing prefabricated houses in Saudi Arabia and simulation tools to evaluate and optimise thermal performance. Findings reveal substantial reductions in total discomfort hours across various zones, with optimisations achieving up to 32% reductions in specific zones. Key innovations include the use of phase change materials (PCMs) with a melting point of 23°C, improved insulation strategies, and optimised window-to-wall ratios, achieving reductions of up to 48% in cooling loads, 99.95% in heating loads, and 51.6% in annual energy consumption for air conditioning. The study culminates in a tangible design product: a high-performance precast system tailored for extreme climates, offering transformative solutions for sustainable construction practices in Saudi Arabia.51 0Item Restricted Enhancing Thermal Comfort for Children in Cardiff's Urban Playgrounds: Environmental and Design Investigation(Cardiff University, 2024) Sandougah,Manal; Lou,ZhiwenThis dissertation investigates the thermal comfort of children in three urban playgrounds in Cardiff Roath Park, Victoria Park and Llandaff Fields on the summer days of 2024 with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C this investigation highlights the significance of sustainable design to reduce heat stress and create safe and enjoyable playgrounds for kids. This research highlights the significance of blending environmental data with subjective user feedback. The study identifies the crucial factors influencing thermal comfort and proposes design strategies for improvement. Data was gathered from different spots, shaded partially shaded and sunny at three times of the day (10:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:30 pm) on July 18th, 19th and 22nd 2024. instruments like the Kestrel 5400 Weather Meter FLIR One Edge Pro Infrared Camera and a body thermometer were used for this purpose. A total of 90 kids, between the ages of 2 and 12 were involved in the survey to understand their thermal perception and adaptive behaviors. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used for evaluating thermal comfort assessment, and calibration through The Mean Thermal Sensation Vote (MTSV) which helped establish the Neutral UTCIT and Neutral UTCIR range by calibrating the data. Results revealed significant microclimatic variations across the parks where shaded spots lowered air temperatures by up to 10°C, and water features enhanced the cooling effect. Certain surface materials such as dark rubber and metal equipment registered elevated temperatures surpassing 65°C which posed a danger of burns by exceeding safety thresholds. Adaptive behaviors, including shade-seeking (55%) and staying near water features (35%) as ways to mitigating heat stress. The study concludes with recommendations for hybrid shading solution, and cooling materials along with incorporating water features to enhance comfort and safety in areas for children. These results offer practical insights for city planners, decision makers and designers when establishing child-friendly areas that prioritize climate-resilient outdoor spaces that promote well-being.22 0Item Restricted Evaluating the thermal impact of built environment surfaces on urban trees for achieving maximum cooling performance in the school's car parking and walkways in the UK and Saudi Arabia.(University of Reading, 2024-04) Aldosary, Nada; Shao, Li; Vahdati, MariaDuring heatwaves built, urban areas can easily overheat, which can put peoples health at risk or require expensive mechanical air conditioning. However, greener areas remain several degrees colder and powerful in reducing the heat island effect and provide thermal comfort. Urban greening proposed to be an approach to mitigating health consequences resulting from climate change increased temperatures and heatwaves (Bowler, et al., 2010). Built environment surfaces usually contribute to increasing local climate temperatures, and this research would investigate the impact of built environment surfaces temperatures such as walkways in streets and parking, on urban trees thermal performance. Before something can be managed, it should be measured as a first step. Urban tree thermal effect is one of the essential indicators of green infrastructure quality. On the city scale, one of the biggest challenges of green infrastructure is how to deal with severe heat waves by improving healthy growth and prosperity and improving the cooling performance of urban trees. Particularly walkways and parking areas, where urban heat island radiated. Those areas where impervious surfaces are increasing with urban expansion. This research intends to enrich the decision-making process specifically architects, in improving the pavement surface materials used in schools and built environments to tackle climate change challenges in summer, particularly heat waves. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of built environment surfaces temperatures on the urban tree cooling potentials and in turn, its impact on urban microclimate in the UK and KSA hot climate. This research examines and assesses the relationship between the surfaces of urban built environments and the cooling potential of green spaces and trees in urban areas. A total of 18 experimental case studies have been conducted to assess the impact of heatwaves and climate change on urban trees in both British and Saudi contexts. These studies also examined the effects of construction materials used around trees in schools, walkways, and car parking areas on the thermal performance of the trees. A comprehensive statistical analysis has been conducted to assess the overall influence of construction materials on trees in urban environments in both the UK and Saudi Arabia. The findings reveal that the impact of construction materials temperature on urban trees is significant, and the effect in Saudi Arabia is more substantial than it in UK. This variation could be attributed to the decrease in relative humidity and the increase in air temperature. Consequently, climate change may result in a similar outcome in the UK, as a result of more extensive heatwaves over the summer.18 0Item Restricted A VISION FOR A SUSTAINABLE HIJAZI MIXED-USE COMMUNITY IN MAKKAH, K.S.A.(Thomas Jefferson University, 2019-05-10) Mirza, Khalid Abdulrauof; Fryer, RobertThe scope of this thesis project is to design a mixed-use community in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia, that reflects the local culture, accommodates the topographic condition of the site and consumes less energy and water. The project was designed to address the potential of sustainability in Makkah City based on the four quadrants of Integral Theory: Culture, Experience, Performance and Systems. The design discusses the need for green and social spaces to promote interaction community, health and well-being while preserving the cultural need of privacy. In addition, Scenario Planning was used so the design can adapt to an uncertain future without resulting in massive construction waste or compromising various cultural needs. This thesis investigates the impact of integrating vernacular traditional elements on annual energy demand and indoor comfort levels. Moreover, the paper studies the effect of integrating a passive evaporative cooling system through a traditional courtyard on the cooling demand in Makkah’s climate. The design was simulated in IES to evaluate the proposed systems. The simulation tools used found that the house can rely on the proposed passive cooling system only if the outdoor temperature is below 30°C. Also, the envelope of the building, with U-value of 0.15 (37.86 ft2.h.°F/BTU R-value), will help reduce cooling demand in summer daytime when air-conditioning is needed.58 0Item Restricted Extreme Urban Heat(Ohio State University, 2024) Alhusaki, Saeed; Boswell, Jake; Cheramie, Kristi; Cruse, Andrew; Best, Kelsea; Ghosh, UjaanExtreme heat events have significant impacts on urban environments and their residents. They can shape the physical form of cities, influence urban planning and design, and even mold the cultural identity of urban communities. This thesis aims to investigate the interplay between extreme heat events, city formation, and cultural identity that happened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Working methods for this study will be the development of a historical narrative through the lens of extreme heat and its impacts on urban form and patterns of urban behavior. The aim of this work is to understand Jeddah's history of responding to extreme heat over time, comprehend the factors exacerbating urban heat, and assess their impacts on society and the environment in order to design an ideal residential model tailored to Jeddah's climate and meeting housing needs. This model will be derived from lessons learned from literature review and precedent analysis that are tailored to Jeddah's climate with the ambition of producing a model that can mitigate the impact of climate change on the city and other urban areas facing extreme urban heat due to climate change.37 0Item Restricted Investigation Of The Ventilation And Thermal Performance Of Mashrabiya For Residential Buildings In The Hot-Humid Climate Of Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2022-06) Bagasi, Abdullah Abdulhameed; Calautit, JohnThe residential sector in Saudi Arabia is the most energy-consuming building sector, accounting for about 50% of the total energy generated. A large proportion of this energy is used to maintain the indoor air temperature at the required comfort level. While the lack of optimal use of natural resources in buildings, such as natural ventilation also contributes to the rising consumption. Traditionally, Saudi buildings were characterised by different architectural solutions and elements such as the mashrabiya, which was closely related to the local environment and responded to many factors, such as climatic conditions and occupants needs. Mashrabiya is an opening covered with a wooden lattice for ventilation, daylight, privacy, and an aesthetic appeal for houses. Although there are many studies and research on the mashrabiya, most studies addressed either the ventilation or daylight aspect and few included evaporative cooling without conducting field tests or validated modelling to investigate its actual performance and the extent of its impact on the internal thermal environment. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the effect of the mashrabiya on the indoor thermal environment and develop a mashrabiya design to enhance indoor thermal comfort in the residential buildings in hot climates with reference to Jeddah, Saudi Arabiya. The research, besides the literature review, includes field experiments and simulation works. The field experiment results indicated that opening the mashrabiya allowed more airflow into the room and reduced the indoor temperature by up to 2.4 °C compared to the closed mashrabiya. Furthermore, by integrating evaporative cooling strategies (pots, water sprays, and wet cloth) with the open mashrabiya, it was found that the most effective approach to improving the room air temperature was hanging a wet cloth and the average room temperature reduced by up to 6.8°C. Along with that, the thermal mass played a significant role in reducing indoor air temperatures' thermal swings. In order to expand its scope in the study and examination of the mashrabiya, a computational fluid dynamic simulation tool was used. The results of the base case of the mashrabiya in the simulation generally indicated that the slats' inclination plays a vital role in the direction of the airflow into the room, and this is evident with tilting the slats angle to +30 or -30, as the airflow becomes more directed and sharper to the ceiling or the floor. Also, compared to the benchmark case, the mashrabiya contributed to33 0