Application of indexes to evaluate the thermal resilience of buildings in overheating conditions

Abstract

Thermal resilience refers to the ability of a building to adapt to extreme thermal variations, minimizing the impact of these variations on the indoor environment, and to maintain a healthy and safe environment for the occupants. In this context, the objective of this study is to apply different indexes to evaluate the thermal resilience of a naturally ventilated low-income residential building in an overheating situation, located in a region of savana tropical climate. The adaptive thermal comfort, Heat Index, Humidex and SET indexes were calculated by computer simulation using the Energy Plus software for the standard building (HISp) and for the building with the incorporation of biclimatic strategies (HISe). It was found that thermal inertia, insulation, and low absorption strategies can contribute significantly to the indoor environmental quality face of overheating conditions. However, despite reductions in the hours of discomfort and critical thermal stress conditions, the strategies are not able to promote adequate salubrious conditions for their occupants, presenting HI and Humidex temperatures in “Danger” and “Hazardous” categories. The HI temperatures and SET-hours did not meet the LEED certification requirements for thermal safety and passive survivability, as HI temperatures above 32,2°C and SET-hours above the limit of 120° SET-hours for temperatures higher than 30°C-SET, thresholds that proved to be very rigid for the tropical savanna climate.