Climate assessment tools

THE MAHONEY TABLE

• In the Mahoney table methodology is a set of reference tables that use monthly climate data of
temperature, relative humidity and precipitation to calculate indicators for heat and cold stress
as well as humid and arid conditions for each month.
• The combination of these indicators results into simple design recommendation, e.g. “reduce
sun exposure”, “compact building layout’ or “medium sized openings”.
The design process
analysis – synthesis – evaluation

Climate data
• The architect can only base his climatic design on typical or normal conditions.
• Such normal conditions are adequately defined by monthly mean minimum
and maximum values.
 The Mahoney tables

1.From meteorological records enter the monthly mean maximum and mean
minimum air temperature values in the first two lines. All values should be
rounded to the nearest 0.5 °C.

2. Find the mean range for each month by deducting the mean minimum from the
mean maximum values (second line from the first) and enter these in the third line

3. In the separate box on the right enter the highest of the twelve maxima and the
lowest of the twelve minima respectively

4. By adding these two values and dividing it by two find the annual mean
temperature and enter this value in the box marked AMT

5. By finding the difference between these two values (deducting the lowest mean
minimum from the highest mean maximum) get the annual mean range and
enter it in the box marked AMR (Koneisberger);
(New variation AMR= Average of monthly mean range)
 The Mahoney tables

• From meteorological records enter the monthly mean maxima (early morning
readings) and minima (early afternoon readings) of relative humidity (RH) in
the first two lines

• Find the 'average humidity' for each month by adding the above two values
and dividing it by two. Enter these averages in the third line.

• Establish the humidity group' for each month (1, 2, 3 or 4) according to the
following categories:
 The Mahoney tables
• Enter the monthly average rainfall values (in mm). Adding these twelve values.
find the annual total rainfall and enter this in the separate box at the end of the
line

• Enter the prevailing and secondary wind directions for each month, on the
basis of first and second peaks in published wind frequency tables or figures
(16 compass points should be distinguished, if available, i.e. N., NNE., NE.,
ENE., E., ESE., etc.)
 The Mahoney tables

• Comfort limits

• Compare the day comfort limits with the mean maxima and the night
comfort limits with the mean minima and establish the nature of thermal
stress by entering the following symbols in the last two lines:
• H (hot) – if mean is above limit
• O (comfort) – if mean is within limits
• C (cold) – if mean is below the limit
 The Mahoney tables

s Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Humid: H1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6
H2 1 1 1 1 4
H3 1 1 1 1 4
Arid: A1 0
A2 0
A3 1 1 2

Applicable when:
Indicator Thermal Humidity Mean monthly range
stress Rainfall group AMR
Meaning: Day Night
H 4
Air movement essential H1

H 2, 3 Less than 10ºC

Air movement desirable H2 O 4

Rain protection necessary

H3 Over 200mm
Thermal capacity necessary
A1 1,2,3 More than 10ºC

A2 H 1,2 More than 10ºC

Outdoor sleeping desirable

H O 1,2 More than 10ºC

Protection from cold A3 C
The Mahoney tables
Recommended specification
The Mahoney tables
Recommended specification