Numerical analysis of solar radiation effects at indoors with internal partitions and external solar shades

Abstract

A numerical study is conducted to couple natural convection in an office space with thermal radiation due to solar radiation. The study specifically investigates the effect of partitions located between desks of the office space to develop a tool-box to determine the effect of windows on thermal and visual comfort of occupants. Three different partition cases (according to the aspect ratio of the partition to the ceiling height, which are 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0) were studied. Moreover, the effects of different designs of solar shades in front of windows were investigated. All walls other than the facade of the enclosure are assumed adiabatic, and the enclosure has a single window, which acts as a thermal radiative heat source. All surfaces are assumed to be gray-diffuse surfaces for calculation of thermal radiation. The solar radiation is analyzed for a perfect sunny day with both diffuse and direct sunlight, and for an overcast day with only diffuse sunlight. Based on the choice of partitions geometry, solar shade aspect ratios and the weather conditions, variations on the surface temperature distribution inside the office are analyzed.