Executive Summary : | Project aims to create enhanced knowledge of construction materials, methods and practice for energy efficient buildings, to develop testing facilities to characterize building materials for their thermo-physical and optical properties and materials used in renewable energy generation equipment and installations. It also aims at to generate robust knowledge database for energy efficient scenario of built form environment in India –Indigenize guidelines, codes and standards, extend research and dissemination activities in area of energy policy with integrated approach to resource planning including energy, water and land, and to build living laboratory to develop and disseminate net-zero energy technologies – construct technology demonstration building to house centre activities, and to help government to implement GRIHA and ECBC as well as develop standards and labeling program for fenestration, insulation and solar PV-Solar thermal products, conduct post-occupancy evaluations of building for their adaptive thermal comfort performance and energy performances. |
Co-PI: | Prof. Rajan U. Rawal, Executive Director, Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, Ahmedabad |
Total Budget (INR): | 13,49,35,000 |
Achievements : | Entire database was placed in online U value calculator tool to facilitate designers to take informed decision regarding selection of materials for wall and roof, and the entire database is in public domain. |
Outcome/Output: | Following note elaborates milestones accomplished:
1. Generation of database for Building Materials: Building material listing was done to start the process. Building materials were categorized in two categories (A) Generic Building Materials (B) Industrial Building material. Under generic building material, various traditional and business as usual building material samples were collected. They were further sub divided and identified as IS standard as well as for ISO/ASTM testing protocols. Heat Flow meter and Hot Disk Thermal analyzer were identified as instruments to characterize thermal properties of building materials. ISO 22007 2.2 and ASTM C518 were identified as standards for test protocols. Spectrophotometer for characterization of glass, mirrors and was used in accordance with ISO 9050 and EN 637.
a). Milestone: Approximately 180 generic building material and approximately 190 finished samples and 30 substrates were tested for thermal conductivity, specific heat, diffusivity, transmittance, reflectance and absorptance. To further facilitate U value characterization of non-homogenous material or construction assemblies, a guarded hot box design was prepared. This equipment will be fabricated and calibrated at CEPT University facilities. Detailed design and detailed specification was prepared. Tender was floated, technical committee has placed and advises to order of guarded hot box.
b). Achievements: Entire database was placed in Online U value calculator tool to facilitate designers to take informed decision regarding selection of materials for wall and roof. Entire database is in public domain.
2. Generating adaptive thermal comfort model for all five climate zone for India: This project aims at developing an adaptive thermal comfort standard that is specific to India. For this purpose, office buildings with three different running modes have been considered - air-conditioned, mixed mode and naturally ventilated. Buildings in all three modes were selected from all over India, across five climatic zones. Occupants of these buildings were interviewed about their comfort in their work environment and simultaneously their surrounding conditions will be recorded. Other information like activity level, clothing value and general building type was recorded alongside. This survey was repeated for three seasons in a year to ensure that a wide variation of outdoor conditions has been taken into account.
a). Milestone: 18month of thermal sensation survey in all five climate zone complete. This covers approximately 9000 responded with 45 survey points in each. This along with Building User Survey was also conducted.
b). Achievements: Preliminary results were discussed in peer review and also shared with professionals. Detailed recommendation has been sent to “National Building Code” for inclusion in Chapter 11, “Approach to sustainability”.
4. Development of Model Design and Rating systems for campus: This activity will be done between March 2014 and 2016.
5. Solar Passive Architecture of Vernacular Settlements: Ahmedabad city’s vernacular settlement was selected for its performance evaluation. At the same time Bangalore’s Solar (T ZED) passive architecture building was selected based on extensive literature review. Onsite measurements were taken for 9 to 12 month of extended period.
Achievements: Identification of key design and construction elements with their performance indices. Two research papers were published |
