Experimental Evaluation of a Retrofitted Extensive Green Roof Module on a Sloping GI Sheet Roof in a Humid Subtropical Climate
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 1
Abstract
Green roofing technologies have been developed and implemented worldwide as they bring with them thermal, hydrological, and environmental benefits, especially in urbanized areas. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the thermal performance of green roofs over reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structural bases but there is a lacuna of experimental evaluation of the thermal performance of green roofs on sloping galvanized iron (GI) sheet truss type roof structures. In this paper, the thermal performance of a retrofitted extensive green roof is quantified; this is challenging in subtropical climates because of extreme seasonal and diurnal variations. The thermal performance of the green roof system was assessed using a life-size experiment setup followed by a whole-building simulation using Design Builder, which runs on the EnergyPlus simulation engine. Two prototype roofs were analyzed and the performance of the retrofitted extensive green roof was compared with that of a conventional RCC roof solution. To validate the results, two prototype buildings were constructed at a university campus and their thermal and energy performance analyzed for two observation periods, one during a typical summer week and the other during a typical winter week. The extensive retrofitted green roof displayed enhanced thermal and energy performance at a nominal additional cost. The findings of this study can be deployed in the development of a retrofitted extensive green roof module for sloped GI sheet roofs for better thermal performance, and hence reduced energy loads, and meet the sustainable development goals.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a SEED Grant from DIT University, India, awarded for 2021–2022. Authors are grateful to B.Arch 4th year students to help collect the spot measurements at the live experiment location.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 1 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 9, 2023
Accepted: Aug 28, 2023
Published online: Dec 5, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 5, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Buildings
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Energy engineering
- Energy sources (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Green buildings
- Practice and Profession
- Rehabilitation
- Renewable energy
- Slopes
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Sustainable development
- Thermal analysis
- Thermal effects
- Thermal power
- Thermodynamics
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