Environmental Controls I/IG

Lecture 13
Solar Geometry
Shading Strategies
Sun Position

Can be described by
two angles:

Altitude

Azimuth

S: p. 1514, T.C.12
 Solar Angles
Describe the
sun position
relative to a
vertical
surface
 Solar Altitude: (beta)
Vertical angle to
sun position
 Solar Azimuth: (phi)
Horizontal
bearing
angle from
south
 Surface Azimuth: (psi)
Surface
horizontal
bearing angle
from south
 Surface Solar Azimuth:
(gamma)
Angle
between
solar and
surface
azimuths

=-
 Sign Conventions

Angles east of
south are
negative
90 -90

Angles west of
south are +45 -
-45
positive
S
0
 Calculating Surface Solar
Azimuth
=
For example:
Building faade is oriented
south east ( =-45)

Solar azimuth () is 30
west of south

= 30 (-45) = 75 30 -45

Note: || 90, faade in

shade
 Profile Angle: (omega)
Defines limits of shade conditions

For horizontal
projections:

TAN()=TAN() / COS(Y)
 Profile Angle: (omega)
For horizontal
projections:

SH=PH TAN()

where,
PH: width of enclosing side of
horizontal projection

SH: height of shadow below

horizontal projection
 Profile Angle: (omega)
Defines limits of shade
conditions

For vertical projections:

TAN()=TAN(Y)
 Profile Angle: (omega)
For vertical projections:

Sw=Pv TAN(Y)

where,
Pv: width of enclosing side
of vertical projection

Sw: width of shadow beyond

vertical projection
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish fenestration
pattern and
determine size of
openings
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Determine cut off date and time
for solar penetration

Mar 21 @10 AM solar time

Determine surface azimuth

Due south, =0 ?

Determine required shadow height

SH=6
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish profile () angles for the solstices at
solar noon using surface solar azimuth (Y = ).

At solar noon (=0) and for L=40, =0:

=90-23.5-L=26.5
12/21
TAN(w)=TAN()/COS(Y)
w=26.5

6/21=90+23.5-L=73.5
TAN(s)=TAN()/COS(Y)
s=73.5
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish profile () angles for cut
off date and time using surface solar
azimuth (Y = ).

At 10 AM solar time and for L=40,

=0:
Sizing Horizontal
Projections
Mar 21 @10 AM
Solar Time
= 41.6
= -41.9

Y=-
Y=-41.9-0=-
41.9

S: p. 1514, T.C.12
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish profile () angles for cut off date
and time using surface solar azimuth (Y =
).

At 10 AM solar time and for L=40, =0:

3/21 =41.6 Y=-41.9

TAN()=TAN()/COS(Y)
TAN()= 0.888/0.744=
1.19
=50
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Given SH = 6 and
SH=PH Tan()

Solve for PH

PH=SH/TAN()
PH=6/1.19=5.04 ~ 5-0

say
5-0
 Solar Envelope
Louver
Reduce horizontal projections Spacing

by adding horizontal louvers

in a vertical screen Sh

Ph
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Use the summer solstice profile
angle (S) to determine spacing of
vertical louvers
S

H
S

Spacing (S)= H/TAN(S)

If H=12, then S=12/TAN(S)=3.55 say 3

Note: method does not include louver thickness

 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Use the summer solstice profile
angle (S) to determine spacing of
reverse inclined louvers

H
S

S 2S

Spacing (S)= H/TAN(S)

If H=12, then S=12/TAN(S)=3.55 say 3

Note: method does not include louver thickness

 Lateral Penetration
Mar 21 at 10 AM solar time

When Y0, lateral penetration occurs at an angle

 Lateral Penetration
Solutions
Extend projection bilaterally

 Lateral Penetration
Solutions
Install vertical component
bilaterally
 Critical Angle Analysis
Critical angles define solar
aperture height (SAH)

SAH

S
Sizing Vertical Projections
SW=|PVTAN(Y)|
or

PV=|SW/TAN(Y)|
 Sizing Vertical Projections
On Mar 21 @ 10 AM
(Y=-41.9), if SW=6

what should PV be to shade

window

PV=|SW/TAN(Y)|
PV=|6/-1.115|=5.4 ~5-5
Shading
Strategies
Shading Devices Overview
South Faade:
Horizontal overhang
or
Brise-soleil
San Cristobal Stables

The Capital (Chandigarh)

Shading Devices Overview
East/West Faade:
Vertical fins angled
to the north
and/or
Brise-soleil

Keio University Graduate School Research Ce

Monastery of Ste Marie de La Tourette

Shading Devices Overview
North Faade:
Vertical fins (used
in hot climates
only)

Phoenix Central Library

L: p. 559 fig. 17.10b
 Shading Devices Tectonics
Vertical
Louvers or Screens

John Deere Headquarters, Moline IL Jewett Art Center, Wellesley, M

Shading Devices Tectonics
Horizontal
Solid and
louvered planes,
projections or
recesses

Paimio Sanatorium, Finland

Getty Center Los Angeles, CA

Shading Devices
Tectonics
Sculptural
Form Reynolds Aluminum
Building, Detroit, MI
Thickness
Projections
Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL
Screens
Beach House, Lido Shores, FL

Obayashi Tokyo Design Center