Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted A Theoretical Investigation of the Effects of a Trombe Wall for Heating Purposes(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-06-30) ALSHERI, DHAFER; Jibran, KhaligThe building sector accounts for nearly half of all global energy consumption, with space heating representing a major share of this demand. Traditionally, this energy has been supplied through fossil fuel-based systems, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and temperature change. In response to the growing need for sustainable and energy-efficient heating solutions, this study evaluates the thermal performance of an enhanced Trombe wall system as a passive heating method, integrating renewable solar energy to reduce reliance on conventional fuels. Unlike most prior research that focuses on novel wall construction materials, this work targets retrofit applications, aiming to improve the thermal behaviour of existing brick walls using high thermal conductivity sheet materials. A 2D CFD simulation was conducted to evaluate the influence of sheet material type, thickness, and air gap width on room temperature distribution and wall surface heating. Key parameters studied included sheet material type (copper, aluminium, and stainless steel), sheet thickness (5 mm, 10 mm, and 20 mm), and air gap width (ranging from 10 mm to 100 mm). The radiation model was calibrated using solar data from Abha, Saudi Arabia a high-altitude city (elevation ~2,200 m) known for its cool winter temperatures and strong solar irradiance. Geographic coordinates (18.22°N, 42.50°E) and solar radiation values exceeding 500 W/m² during peak winter hours were used as boundary inputs to simulate realistic climatic conditions. Copper, aluminium, and stainless steel were selected for their distinct thermal properties. Among them, copper exhibited the highest thermal performance across various airflow conditions: - adding a copper sheet enhanced room temperature by approximately 3°C compared to the base case without a sheet. Moreover, increasing the sheet thickness from 5 mm to 20 mm improved the average room temperature from 286 K to 295 K, demonstrating a 9°C increase due to greater thermal mass and inertia. The width of the air gap was also found to be critical, with an optimal value of 80 mm, beyond which natural convection weakened, and thermal performance declined. The proposed system saved around 0.0722 kWh/h per room, translating to 151.62 kWh/year over a 150-day heating season with 14 hours of daily operation. Furthermore, each heating cycle reduced CO₂ emissions approximately 16 grams, offering measurable environmental benefits. The annual cost saving compared to using diesel fuel amounted to 56.94£, with a projected 20-year saving of 1138.8 per room.7 0Item 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.56 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 0