Tropical Microclimatic conditions:

Tropikos comes from the Greek word _________ Time of the day diurnal temperature variation sometimes
Turn meaning ___________ reverses direction of prevailing wind
Arctic Topography the higher the altitude, the lower the
Tropic of Cancer temperature which could alter wind direction
Equator Major Latitudinal Circles by diverting or blocking the wind
Tropic of Capricorn Water High heat capacity will not absorb heat
Antarctic quickly but will retain it longer than similar
= encompasses the statistics of temperature, area of land mass.
humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall,
atmospheric particle count and other Ground surfaces wind speed is lower in built-up areas by 25%
Climate meteorological elemental measurements in a Ground temperature Vegetation alter or reduce wind speed
given region over long periods direction.
the heat capacity, color and water content of
= represents the synthesis of weather soil affects the amount of heat absorption
Weather present condition of these elements and their Tropical cyclone = storm system characterized by a large low
variations over shorter periods pressure center and numerous thunderstorms
that produce strong winds and heavy rains
World climates:
Tropical hot and humid (rainforest and savanna) = strengthens when water evaporated from
Dry arid and semi-arid the ocean is released as the saturated air rises,
Moderate Mediterranean (humid sub-tropical, marine resulting in condensation of water vapor
west coast) contained in the moist air
Continental Humid continental (sub-arctic) Typhoon = mature tropical cyclone that develops in the
northwestern part of the pacific ocean
Polar and Alpine Tundra, ice cap (highlands, non-permanent
ice) between 180° and 100° E, referred to as the
northwest pacific basin

Latitude Factors affecting climate

Tropical cyclone intensity scale
Altitude
Super typhoon greater than 119 knots
Winds
greater than 220 km/h
Continentality
Typhoon 64 – 119 knots
Aspect
118 – 220 km/h
Solar radiation
Severe tropical 48 – 63 knots
Earth’s axis
storm 89 – 117 km/h
Surrounding envi
Tropical storm 34 – 47 knots
Altitude = temp decrease with height
62 – 88 km/h
Latitude = temp range increases with distance from the
Tropical depression less than 33 knots
equator
less than 61 km/h
= temp decrease as you move away from the
equator
Extreme altitude = many will experience unconsciousness
(over 5000m)
Very high altitude tingling sensation, headache, fatigue, and
(3000-5000m) other indications of altitude sickness will
usually begin to occur from about 2500m
onwards
High altitude This is where AMS begins to be seen in some
(1500-3000m) individuals. It generally begins with headaches
and on altered night vision
Macroclimate = the regional climate of a broad area
= scale of tens to hundreds of kilometers
Mesoclimate = climatic cond. of a specific localized area
= measured in terms of tens of yards
Hurricane identical phenomena in the eastern north
= sometimes hundreds of yards
pacific with tropical cyclones moving into the
Microclimate = areas as small as a few square feet (ex:
western pacific re-designated as typhoon
garden bed)
Monsoons = seasonal reversing wind accompanied by Vapor pressure partial pressure of water vapor present in air
corresponding changes in precipitation Relative humidity amount of water in the air measured using
(RH) hygrometer
= seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation Precipitation total monthly rainfall or maximum rainfall in a
and precipitation associated with the 24 hour period, measured using gauge in
asymmetric heating of land and sea in/cm
Southwest monsoon HABAGAT Wind direction, frequency and force of wind
Summer monsoon throughout the year
Heavy rains Coriolis effect Deflection of moving objects when they are
May – October viewed in a rotating reference frame is caused
Northeast monsoon AMIHAN by the rotation
Winter monsoon
Cooler & drier air Climate types in the Philippines:
Dec - Feb Type I = dry season (nov – april)
Winter = cool and dry = wet season (may – dec)
= december – February = max rain period (june – sep)
Summer = hot and dry Type II = no dry season with a very pronounced
= march – may rainfall from Dec – Feb
Rainy = wet = not a single dry month
= june – november = min monthly rainfall from Dec to Feb or Mar
to May
Climatic elements: Type III = no very pronounces maximum rain
Solar radiation daylight when sun is above the horizon = dry season lasting 1-3 months of either Dec
Pressure important characteristic of earth’s to Feb or March to May
atmosphere which determines the wind and = resembles Type I since it has short dry
weather patterns season
Atmospheric or Air = force per unit area exerted on the earth’s Type IV = rainfall is more or less evenly distributed
pressure surface by the weight of the air above the throughout the year
surface = this type resembles type II since it has no dry
season
= measured by a mercury or aneroid concerned with the design in tropical
barometer Tropical design countries
Air temperature Annual, monthly and diurnal maximum and way of looking at habitat when you live in
minimum temperature tropical climate
Dry-bulb = ambient temperature
temperature = air temperature is indicated by a Orientation Tropical Design Considerations
thermometer not affected by the moisture of Building envelope
the air Fenestration
Wet-bulb = type of temperature measurement that Building materials
temperature reflects the physical properties of system with Landscape
a mixture of a gas and a vapor Sun path refers to the apparent significant seasonal and
hourly positional changes of the sun (length of
= usually air and water vapor daylight) as the earth rotates and orbits
around the sun
= indicated by a moistened thermometer bulb Sun path diagram graphic depiction of the path of the sun within
exposed to air flow the sky vault projected onto horizon plane
Dew point temperature at which water vapor starts to Summer solstice occurs exactly when the tilt of a planet’s semi-
condense out of the air (the temperature at (June 21) axis in a given hemisphere is most inclined
which air becomes completely saturated) towards the star that it orbits
Sol-air temperature the fictitious temperature of the outdoor air Winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet’s
which in the absence of radiative exchanges (December 22) polar hemisphere is farthest away from the
on the outer surface of the roof or wall star that it orbits
Diurnal temperature variation in temperature that occurs from the Equinox night and day have approximately equal
highs of the day to the cool of nights (mar 21 and sep 23) length
Absolute humidity amount of moisture present in the air (g/m3) Aequus derived from the latin word _____ meaning
Specific humidity weight of unit vapor per unit weight of air equal
(g/kg)
Nox derived from the latin word _____ meaning Ozone layer this layer absorbs 97 to 99% of sun’s high
night frequency ultraviolet light, which is
23° 26’ Earth’s maximum axial tilt to the sun during a potentially damaging to the life forms on
solstice earth
Equinox occurs twice a year when the tilt of the earth’s Bioclimatic design design that seeks to adapt the buildings to the
axis is inclined neither away from nor towards special climatic and environmental conditions
the sun (the center of the sun being in the of each region key elements are passive
same plane as the Earth’s equator) systems, integrated in the buildings, aiming
Azimuth an angular measurement in a spherical to take advantage of environmental
coordinate system resources (sun, wind, vegetation, water,
Altitude Angle of the position of the sun along the land, sky) for heating, cooling and lighting
horizon, measured to the east or west from Green architecture an approach to building that minimizes
the true south harmful effects on human health and the
environment, that safeguards air, water, and
Windward the direction upwind from the point of earth by choosing eco-friendly building
reference (positive pressure) materials and construction practices
Venturi effect rate flow of air inside the building will be save energy
increased by making the outlet opening bigger Objectives of the provide thermal comfort for the residents
than the inlet Bioclimatic through natural lighting, cooling (ventilation)
Stack effect tendency of air or gas in a shaft or other Architecture and sun protection
(chimney effect) vertical space to rise when heated, creating a exploit solar energy
draft that draws in cooler air or gas from Geared for Resiliency
below and Energy Efficiency GREEEN stands for
Leeward the direction downwind from the point of for the Environment
reference (negative pressure) Reused
Recycled content
Horizontal sun shade generally used on the north-facing and south Rapidly renewable
facing sides of a building Regionally sourced Green Materials
Egg crate types combination of horizontal and vertical types Responsibly growth
Vertical sun shades generally used in the east-facing and west- Durable
facing sides of a building Non-toxic
Greenhouse effect Thermal radiation from a planetary surface is GREEEN a rating system developed by the Philippine
absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, Green Building Initiative (PGBI) specifically for
and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part the Philippines
of this re-radiation is back towards the Biogas / Biomass Renewable Energy Sources
surface, energy is transferred to the surface Geothermal
and the lower atmosphere Solar
Climate change a significant and lasting change in the Hydro
statistical distribution of weather patterns Ocean or Tidal
over periods ranging from decades to million Wind
years Leadership in Energy
Global warming refers to the rising temperature of earth’s & Environmental LEED stands for
atmosphere and oceans Design
Greenhouse effect the temperature there is higher that it would Building for
be if direct heating by solar radiation were the Ecologically
only warming mechanism BERDE stand for
Responsive Design
Greenhouse gases gases in the atmosphere that absorbs and excellence
emits radiation within the thermal infrared WELL leading tool for advancing health and well-
range being in buildings globally
Ozone layer a layer in earth’s atmosphere which contains LEED an internationally recognized green building
relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3) certification system by the US Green Building
Ozone depletion the relative amount of degradation to the Council, providing third-party verification
potential (ODP) ozone layer a chemical compound can cause BERDE initiated by the PHILGBC to facilitate greener
buildings
Global warming relative measure of how much heat a
potential (GWP) greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere Philippine Green PGBC stands for
Building Code
Polar vortex 23.47° Tilt of the earth’s axis
Heat waves Polar or alpine Climate classification where the main
Hurricanes climate problem is the lack of heat (under heating) or
Glacier melt The impacts of climate change an excessive heat dissipation for all or most
Droughts parts of the year
Wild fires 4% Maximum solar heat factor for roofs in warm
Typhoons humid tropics
Thai’s Rating of Low-E glass Type of glass wall system which offers good
Energy and thermal and optical performance to lower
TREES stands for cooling load, reduce reliance on artificial
Environmental
Sustainability lighting and reduce energy consumption
Indoor air quality IAQ stands for South Best orientation of solar panels in PH
Dry bulb The measurement of the temperature of the Fountain
Heat sinks in a building
temperature air that does not include and radiant Green wall
temperature Air movement within What factor improves the comfort level in the
Azimuth angle What is the apparent significant seasonal and the room interior
hourly positional changes of the sun as the Sun shading An exterior device that may consist of fixed
earth rotates and orbits around the sun horizontal or vertical fins angled to shield a
Bioclimatic design A way of designing buildings based on the window from direct sunlight
local climate to ensure thermal comfort that 2.70m Based on the National Building Code, what is
blends into the natural surroundings the minimum ceiling height required for
Solar Reflectance The measure of a body’s ability to reject solar spaces with natural ventilation?
Index heat is referred to as SRI. SRI stands for? Eggcrate sun shades Sun shading devices that is best to use on the
southeast side of a building
Carbon dioxide Gases in the atmosphere that absorb and Comfort zone The range under which most people feel
Chlorofluorocarbons emit radiation within the thermal infrared comfortable
Greenhouse gases range 37°C Minimum dry bulb temperature in the tropics
LED Most sustainable lighting where passive cooling can no longer be
Amihan Prevailing wind characterized by moderate encourage
temperatures with little to no rainfall Solar Heat Gain (SHGC) Measures heat gain based on how
Vertical sun shades Best sun shading device to use on the east Coefficient (SHGC) well a window blocks heat caused by sunlight,
and west facing sides of a building which depends upon the type of glass used in
Horizontal sun Best sun shading device to use on the north a window, the number of panes of glass used
shades and south facing sides of a building and the shading by the window
Cross ventilation Type of ventilation can reduce the energy 40% What is the optimal SHGC in the PH setting?
consumption of a building The Overall Thermal (OTTV) measures the average heat gain into a
Nature of the (3) Factors influence the General climate Transfer Value building through the building envelope
environment 45W/m² What is the maximum permissible OTTV
(local/regional) according to the Department of Energy?
Topography Lighting Power What is a simple screening measure that
Vegetation Density indicates whether a space offers
Wind rose diagram Graphic tool used to give a view of how the opportunities for energy savings, defined as
wind speed and direction are distributed at a watts of lighting per area of a room?
specific location
98% Minimum efficiency of a transformer as Agile cities Introduced by the World Economic Forum,
prescribed by the DOE Guidelines on Energy what is an initiative to connect cities, citizens
Conserving Design of Buildings, based on the and innovators with good practice in bringing
PGBC innovative solutions innovative into cities?
Canopy What is best used on the north and south Fossil fuel It is not a form of renewal energy
sides of a building Green Buildings According to the Environmental Protection
West For tropical zones, which side of the building Agency (EPA), what are structures that use a
form should be the cores be located, so as to process that is environmentally responsible &
help shade the building throughout the day? resource efficient throughout a building’s
30.2°C What is the annual mean temperature if the life-cycle?
highest dry bulb temperature of the year is
36.6°C and the lowest is 23.8°C
U-Value The overall heat transfer coefficient,
describes how well a building element
conducts heat. It measures the rate of heat
transfer through a building element over a
given area, under standardized conditions
R-Value Resistance value and how the material resist
the heat flow
Global warming What is described as higher levels of CO2,
methane and other greenhouse gases
accumulating in the atmosphere enhancing
the natural greenhouse effect and raising the
global temperature?
Tropical design Building design in countries where discomfort
due to heat and humidity are the dominant
problems
Shutter panel A louvered awning the fins of which are
angled to shade a window from direct
sunlight and glare while preserving the
outside view and admitting soft, diffused
light
Embodied energy Sum of energy inputs a material requires over
its lifetime
Carbon footprint Total set of greenhouse gas (GHC) emitted
through transport, land clearance and the
production and consumption of food, fuels,
manufactured goods, materials, wood,
roads, buildings and services
Green washing Advertising or offering ‘green’ products that,
in fact, are not as kind to the environment as
they should be
Climate The statistical information that describes the
variation of atmospheric environment at a
given region for a specified interval; usually
defined as all the states of the atmosphere
seen at a place over many years
Building envelope The entire exterior surface of a building,
including walls, doors and windows which
enclose the interior spaces
Precipitation The total amount of rain, hail, snow, dew,
measured in rain gauges and expressed in mm
per unit time (day, month, year)
Sol-air temperature The overall elevation of the indoor average
temperature caused by the direct and
indirect solar energy gain
Heat island effect A phenomenon described as an urban area
being significantly warmer than the
Urban Heat Islands surrounding rural area
Fenestration The design and arrangement of openings in a
building envelope such as windows, doors
and skylights
Conduction Flow of heat through a material by transfer
from warmer to cooler molecules in contact
with each other
Convection Transfer of heat from one place to another by
the flow of molecules from one place to
another (through liquid/gas)
Adhesives & sealants Volatile organic compounds can be found in
Paints & coatings the following:
Dry and wet Two (2) seasons in the tropical region
Barometer An instrument for measuring air pressure
Anemometer An instrument for measuring wind speeds
Thermometer An instrument for measuring temperature
Sphygmomanometer An instrument for measuring blood pressure
Volatile organic Organic compounds with significant vapor
compounds pressures which can affect the environment
and human health
Carbon index A relatively new method of rating a property’s
energy efficiency that attempts to measure
the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a
property’s heating system
Sick building The deterioration of the health of occupants
syndrome of a building as a result of wrong design of a
structure
Solar reflectance Measure of how much heat a body reflects
Index back into the atmosphere
Global warming Measure of how much a given mass of
potential greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to
global warming
Chlorofluorocarbon An organic compound that contains carbon,
chlorine and fluorine, produced as a volatile
derivative of methane and ethane
10 years A material is considered rapidly renewable if
harvested within a cycle of _________
Indoor environment Refers to all environmental factors that affect
quality the health and wellbeing of building
occupants, including such factors as indoor
air quality, comfort, humidity, air exchange,
acoustics and lighting quality
Montreal protocol 1987 Convention on the protection of the
Ozone layer
Kyoto protocol 1997 UNFCCC stabilize GHG
Rio+5 UN Conference on Environment &
Development 1992 (1997+5)
Agenda 21 UN Action plan on sustainable development
Increases Wind speed ___________ with the increase
in the height above the ground
Solar radiation Measured by a pyranometer, on an
unobstructed horizontal surface and
recorded either as the continuously varying
irradiance (W/m²) or through an electronic
integrator as irradiance over the hour of the
day
Sol-air temperature The temperature of the outside air in contact
with a shaded wall or roof which would give
the same rate of heat transfer and the same
temperature gradient as the combined effect
of solar radiation and air temperature
Chimney effect or The tendency of air or gas in a shaft or other
Stack effect vertical space to rise when heated, creating a
draft that draws in cooler air or gas from
below
Conductivity Rate of heat transfer that occurs through a
unit thickness of material for a unit area
subjected to a unit difference in temperature
East and West For tropical zones, the cores are located in
these sides of the building form, so as to help
shade the building throughout the day
West Best location for kitchens
Altitude Angle of the sun above the horizon, measured
from the horizon
PGBC Referral code to PD 1096, which aims to
improve the efficiency of building
performance through a framework of an
acceptable set of standards
Excellence in Design
for Greater EDGE stands for
Efficiencies
Comprehensive
Assessment System
CASBEE stands for
for Built Environment
Efficiency
Life cycle analysis To assess environmental impacts associated
with all the stages of a product’s life from
cradle to grave
Winter
Summer Seasons in the Philippines
Rainy
LEED Rating system developed by the US Green
Building Council
Latitudinal angle Best angle to use for photovoltaic panels to
harness optimal energy from the sun
10,000 m² What is the minimum TGFA of buildings that
are within the scope of the PGBC?
Solar radiation Heat gain in the tropics is mainly due to what?
Building Research
Establishment’s
BREEAM stands for
Environmental
Assessment Method