GLOBAL CLIMATIC FACTORS

Climate- region with certain conditions of temperature, dryness, wind, light etc.
- An integration in time of the physical state of the atmospheric environment.
- It is one of the characteristics of a certain geographical location.
- It is the integration in time of weather conditions.

Weather- momentary state of the atmospheric environment at a certain location.

Tropical climates are those,

- where heat is the dominant problem

- where for the greater part of the year buildings serve to keep the occupants cool rather than warm

- where the annual mean temperature is not less than 20 0 C.

Solar radiation – quality

The primary source of energy is sun. The earth receives almost all its energy from the sun in the form of
radiation. The sun is the dominating influence on climates.
The spectrum of solar radiation extends from 290nm to 2300nm. It can be divided into : -
1. Ultra-violet radiation – 290nm to 380 nm- produces photo- chemical effects, bleaching, sun burn
etc.
2. Visible light- 380nm ( violet) to 700 nm( red)
3. Short infra-red radiation – 700 nm to 2300 nm, radiant heat with some photo-chemical effects
The spectral energy distribution varies with altitude, due to the filtering effects of the atmosphere.

Solar radiation – quantity

The intensity of solar radiation reaching the upper surface of the atmosphere is known as the solar constant.
It is 1395 W/ m2. It may vary + or – 2% due to the variations in the output of the sun and it may vary + or – 3.5
% due to changes in the earth-sun distance.
Cause of seasonal changes
The earth rotates around the sun in an elliptical orbit. The axis of this rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5 0
from the normal. The direction of this axis is constant. Maximum intensity is received on a plane normal to the
direction of radiation. As the axis of earth is tilted the area receiving the maximum intensity moves north and
south between the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5 0 N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (latitude 23.5 0 S).This is the
main cause of seasonal changes.
Equinox days :- The days having equal lengthof day and night are called equinox days. These are the days
when the Sun is exactly above the equator.
March 21 and September 23 are equinox days.
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Summer solstice-

Areas along latitude 23.5 N are normal to the direction of Sun’s rays. The longest day is experienced. It occurs

on June 21st in Northern hemisphere and on September 23rd in Southern hemisphere. On 21 st June,latitude

23.50 S, experiences the shortest day and a minimum radiation.

The effect of earth-sun relationship on the amount of solar radiation received at a particlar point on the earth surface
1. The cosine law which states that the intensity on a tilted surface equals the normal intensity times the cosine of
the angle of incidence
2. Atmospheric depletion: - The absorption of radiation by ozone, dust particles and vapors in atmosphere. The
lower the solar altitude angle, the longer the path of radiation through the atmosphere. Thus a smaller part
reaches the earth surface.
3. Duration of sun shine
EARTH’S THERMAL BALANCE
The total amount of heat absorbed by the earth is balanced by a corresponding heat loss. Thermal balance of
earth is maintained by this process.
Fig. 1 explains the distribution of incoming radiation and fig.2 explains how the earth surface releases heat by
three processes.

Fig- 1

Fig.-2

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 GLOBAL WIND PATTERN
Winds are convection currents. It even out temperature differences and pressure differences of various zones. Winds flow
from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure.
Esterly trade winds :- When the air in equatorial areas becomes warmer and less dense than the surrounding air, it rises
and replaced by air flowing in from cooler areas. Mass of warm air rising at the equator begin to move towards the
North/South Poles. Even as the air moves north or south, it will tend to rotate counterclockwise due to coriolis force.
These winds are called Easterly Trade winds. Easterly trade winds prevail in an area extending from the equator to a
latitude of about 30 degrees north or south.

Mid- latitude Westerlies :- Around 300 N and S, there are two bands of descending mass of air. It blows in the direction
of earth’s rotation towards poles. These are called mid-latitude Westerlies.

Polar winds :- Cold air in polar areas sinks toward the surface and moves towards slightly warmer regions . As air moves
over the surface of the Earth it is diverted from its original path due to the Earth’s rotation. The northerly is deflected into
north –easterly and the southerly into south easterly polar winds.

The westerly winds prevail from 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, and the polar easterlies dominate the area from 60
degrees to the pole

Sub polar front: - At the meeting point of cold polar winds and the mid-latitude westerlies, a band of low pressure -a
subpolar front - is formed, called sub polar front which is characterized with highly variable and strong winds.

Influence of topography :- On a continental scale, wind and weather are influenced by global wind flow patterns and
regional pressure and temperature patterns created
by the sun's differential heating effect on land, forest and water.

The force, direction and moisture content of air flows are strongly influenced by topography
Air can be diverted or funnelled by mountain ranges.
Air flow deflected upwards, as it cools, releases its moisture content.
A descending air mass will very rarely give any precipitation, therefore rainfall characteristics vary sharply between
locations on windward and leeward slopes of mountain ranges.
The humidity of air will vary with the rate of evaporation of moisture from the surface below, i.e. it depends on the
availability of water to be evaporated.

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Air movements can be generated on quite a small scale, e.g. between a lake and its shores, between a quarry and a nearby
forest, between a town and the surrounding countryside or even between the sunny and shaded sides of a large building.
Influence of vegetation on site climate

Vegetation forms an intermediate layer between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere. They affect air temperature,
humidity, radiation and air movement in micro level. By covering the ground, the surface of contact is transferred to a
higher level and is increased 4 to 12 times.
Isoseismic map -Map showing lines of equal earthquake risks is called isoseismic map.

Chapter- II--ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE

The designer is interested in aspects of climate which affect human comfort and the use of buildingd

1.Temperature

Temperature of air is measured in degree Celsius, often with a mercury thermometer.

The dry bulb or true air temperature is a value taken in the shade using the thermometer which is mounted inside a
louvred wooden box- Stevenson screen- at a height of 1.2m to 1.8m above the ground.
Thermograph gives continuous recording of temperature.

Maximum- minimum thermometer gives the momentary temperature, maximum and minimum temperature.

1. Monthly mean temperature: - the average is taken between each day’s maximum and minimum and then the
average of the 30 day’s average is found.
2. Monthly mean maxima: - the average of 30 day’s maximum temperature.

Monthly mean minima: - the average of 30 day’s minimum temperature.

3. Monthly mean range: -

Highest temperature ever recorded.

Lowest temperature ever recorded.

4. Monthly extreme maxima- the highest temperature ever recorded for each month
Monthly extreme minima- the lowest temperature ever recorded for each month

5. Monthly extreme range- the difference between monthly extreme maxima and monthly extreme minima
The above for each 12 months would give reasonably accurate picture of temperature conditions. The thermal design
work of any shelter is based on these 5 values of temperature.

Wind – Wind velocity is measured by a cup type or propeller type anemometer or by a Pitot tube, and expressed as m/sec.
Wind direction is measured by wind vane. An anemograph produces continuous recordings of wind velocity and
directional changes. Free wind velocities are recorded in open flat country at a height of 10m. In urban areas
measurements are taken at a height of between 10 and 20m to avoid obstructions.

Directions can be grouped into 8 or 16 categories – the 4 cardinal and 4 semi- cardinal compass points and 8 tertiary
compass points.

Wind data: - The designer is interested in finding out whether there is,

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A prevailing wind direction,

Any predictable daily or seasonal shifts occure,

There is a recognizable pattern of daily or seasonal velocities

Note the calm periods in each month.

Precipitation – Collective term for rain, snow, hail, dew and frost that is for all forms of water depositedfrom the
atmosphere. It is measured by rain gauges and expressed as mm/day or mm/month. driving rain --Driving rain index –
Product of rain fall in m and annual average wind velocity (m/sec)

Humidity – Measured by hygro meter

Absolute humidity(AH) – measured in g/m3
Saturation humidity (SH)- is the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold
Relative humidity (RH) - [AH/SH] x 100 {%}
( can be measured from psychrometric chart)
[4 .5marks]

6. Vapour pressure – partial pressure of water vapour present in the air.

Vapour pressure:- Another indication of atmospheric humidity is vapour pressure, i.e. the partial pressure of
water vapour present in the air.
The atmospheric pressure is the sum of the partial pressure of dry air (Pa) and the partial vapour pressure(Pv
P= Pa+ Pv
The air is saturated when the vapour pressure(Pv) is equal to the pressure of saturated vapour (Pvs) of the same
temperature.

6.Precipitation – Collective term for rain, snow, hail, dew and frost. Measured by rain gauges. Expressed as mm/day
or mm/month. Driving rain index – Product of rain fall in m and annual average wind velocity (m/sec)
8.Sky conditions - Described in terms of presence or absence of clouds.

ITCZ
The area where the air rises, where northerly and southerly winds meet is called Inter Tropical Convergence Zone.

1. Local factors: Topography

Ground surface
Three dimensional objects.

2. Criteria for site selection: Temperature – DBT 16OC to 28OC

Humidity Not less than 20% above 90%
Radiation Depends upon the transparency of atmosphere,
slope and orientation and surface qualities.
Air movement 1m/sec is comfortable in indoor conditions
2m/sec is comfortable under hot condition
when humidity is high
5m/sec is the maximum
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 1. Explain the moderating effect of topography on site climate in the context of thunderstorms.

Topography can influence the path, intensity and frequency of thunderstorms. Local features affect
accompanying electrical phenomena. Tops of hills and tall buildings attract lightning strikes. Precautionary
measures must be taken

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