Influence of Building Shape on Area to Volume Ratio and Thermal Loads in Warm Climate - Case of Itahari, Nepal

Abstract

Form and space are inseparable. Existence of form justifies the formation of space. Likewise, the shape also defines visual characteristics of building as well as it has a great influence on building energy demand. The thermal load of any building mostly depends upon climatic and physical parameters associated with the building itself. In this article, the comparison is done between thermal loads i.e. heating load and cooling load of hypothetical cuboid model with different A/V ratios. This research aims to search relation between the exposed envelope area to A/V ratios and their effect on energy demand. Through the findings of this research, it is expected that it could help to ease the doubt on choosing the efficient shape in this specific climate. Upon survey of households, it is found that electricity consumption in Itahari is higher in summer than in winter which is also reinforced from simulation results. This signifies the extreme need for a reduction in cooling load. Therefore, Using simulation-based correlational research strategy and inductive logic, this research indicates that a reduction in (AT-Ex/V) ratio is beneficial to reduce cooling energy demand in that given climatic and physical parameters. Findings conclude that (AT-Ex/V) ratio is directly proportional to energy demand in specific climatic conditions of Itahari, where (AT-Ex/V) is a total exposed envelope area including the base area of a building. Keywords— Envelope area, simulation, A/V ratio, heating