Effects of non-uniform perforated solar screen on daylighting and visual comfort performance

Abstract

Perforated solar screens are extensively utilized as a shading solution for fully glazed buildings and transparent envelope systems. While uniform perforated solar screens have been traditionally employed, the growing trend towards non-uniform screens highlights their potential to enhance architectural aesthetics through varied perforation patterns on building facades. However, the effects of non-uniform screens in daylighting performance have been rarely investigated. This study aims to assess the effects of non-uniform perforated solar screens on daylighting performance, encompassing daylight availability, uniformity, and annual glare probabilities. A comparative analysis was conducted using simulation studies for eight distinct non-uniform perforation patterns against a uniform perforation scenario. Orthogonal experiment and data envelopment analysis were employed to identify the influential factors and evaluate the overall performance. The results suggest that non-uniform perforated solar screens with specific perforation patterns significantly outperform uniform screens in terms of daylighting performance, at equal perforation ratios. Specifically, two non-uniform prototypes, namely (h) periphery-center and (f) bottom-top, demonstrated exceptional performance. Furthermore, the perforation pattern was identified as the most significant geometrical factor affecting the overall performance of daylighting and glare discomfort. The results of this study may inform the design of perforation patterns to enhance daylighting performance in non-uniformly perforated solar screens. The novelty of this research lies in establishing a framework for evaluating the influence of non-uniform perforation patterns on indoor daylighting and visual comfort.