E. Alexandri, P. Jones
Aug 1, 2007
Citations
9
Influential Citations
124
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Building and Environment
Abstract
This paper investigates the mathematical modelling of the effect of green roofs on mitigating raised urban temperatures. A dynamic, one-dimensional model is developed, describing heat and mass transfer in building materials, considered as capillary-porous bodies, the vegetated canopy, modelled as a combined plant–air canopy layer, the soil and the air. The model is validated with an experiment, conducted in the Welsh School of Architecture, in Cardiff, in summer 2004. The right choice of parameters that affect the accuracy of the model (such as the expression of the convective heat transfer coefficient and stomatal resistance) is discussed. Special attention is given to the comparison between the experimental results and the outputs of only heat transfer algorithms and heat and mass transfer expressions. Taking these comparisons into consideration, conclusions are drawn about developing an accurate algorithm describing the thermal effect of green roofs on the built microclimate.