Publications

The thermal performance and energy use in buildings is directly related to weather conditions, mainly represented by air temperature, wind and, humidity, solar radiation, and other variables. In this context, weather history is essential for professionals who designes buildings under the concept of bioclimatic architecture. In Brazil, where buildings represent 52% of electricity consumption turns the knowledge of weather conditions into, an important tool for civil constructions. An integration between a weather-designed construction and local weather allows an adequate environmental performance, as well as a good comfort level for users. The development and knowledge of bioclimatic zones allows the design of buildings with specific properties for each particular zone. Using this concept as a starting point, this study aims to evaluate the suitability of non load-bearing masonry wall of buildings in the city of Colatina (Espírito Santo State), according to RTQ-R proposed performance criteria in RTQ-R, considering Brazilian Bioclimatic Zoning (current and review proposals) method. The method consists in obtaining weather data for creating typical weather year files (test reference year - TRY and typical meteorological year - TMY) to the city of Colatina. From these weather files and according to Brazilian Bioclimatic Zoning, it was stated in which bioclimatic zone the city of Colatina belonged. Then, in order to analyse building’s walls performance, thermal models were simulated in EnergyPlus program, considering, an local residential building in Colatina. The following cities’ weather files were applied: Colatina, Vitória, Linhares, and Aimorés. Results indicated that for the current bioclimatic zoning, Colatina is classified as ZB8, as well as Vitoria and Linhares. By review proposals, the city of Colatina could be classified in a different bioclimatic zone or in the same bioclimatic zone of Aimorés. When analyzing the results by simulation method, the performance of non load-bearing masonry wall components demonstrate that Colatina is not included in the expected Bioclimatic Zone.