Green roof in the desert: Comparing four alternative roof systems to a standard roof

Vidar Lerum, Hemant Thakare

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The integration of vegetation, irrigation and natural materials like soil with the roof structure of a building may be a functional, ecologically sound, and cost-effective design strategy for reducing or dampening the effect of heat gain from solar radiation. This experiment explores the possibilities of reducing the energy consumption of buildings in the arid (hot and dry) climate of Phoenix, Arizona by analyzing the effect of solar radiation on different roof systems. Four roof systems were tested and compared against a reference case (standard roof). The test boxes were instrumented in order to measure temperature at a number of locations within the enclosed space as well as at layers of the roofing system. The purpose was to observe and analyze the effectiveness of the four test roof systems as compared to the standard roof. Analysis of the temperature data acquired from a 24 hour period in early summer 2005 provides clear indicators of the cooling effect of an irrigated planted roof system, while non-irrigated systems may turn out to be counter productive to the goal of reducing heat gain to the interior resulting from solar radiation on the roof.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication22nd International Conference, PLEA 2005
Subtitle of host publicationPassive and Low Energy Architecture - Environmental Sustainability: The Challenge of Awareness in Developing Societies, Proceedings
Pages323-327
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
Event22nd International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, PLEA 2005 - Beirut, Lebanon
Duration: Nov 13 2005Nov 16 2005

Publication series

Name22nd International Conference, PLEA 2005: Passive and Low Energy Architecture - Environmental Sustainability: The Challenge of Awareness in Developing Societies, Proceedings
Volume1

Other

Other22nd International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, PLEA 2005
Country/TerritoryLebanon
CityBeirut
Period11/13/0511/16/05

Keywords

  • Thermal behavior of roofing systems

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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