A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Experimental Analysis of Natural Gravel Covering as Cool Roofing and Cool Pavement
Passive solutions for building energy efficiency represent an interesting research focus nowadays. In particular, natural materials are widely investigated for their potential intrinsic high thermal energy and environmental performance. In this view, natural stones represent a promising solution as building envelope covering and urban pavement. This paper concerns the experimental characterization of several low-cost and local gravel coverings for roofs and urban paving, properly selected for their natural high albedo characteristics. To this aim, the in-field albedo of gravel samples is measured with varying grain size. These in-field measurements are compared to in-lab measurements of solar reflectance and thermal emissivity. The analysis shows a significant variation of the albedo with varying grain size. Both in-lab and in-field measurements agree that the stones with the finest grain size, i.e., fine sand, have the best optic-thermal performance in terms of solar reflectance (62%). This feature results in the reduction of the surface temperature when exposed to solar radiation. Moreover, a natural mixed stone is compared to the high reflectance stone, demonstrating that the chosen stone presents an intrinsic “cool” behavior. Therefore, this natural, low-cost, durable and sustainable material could be successfully considered as a natural cool roof or cool paving solution.
Experimental Analysis of Natural Gravel Covering as Cool Roofing and Cool Pavement
Passive solutions for building energy efficiency represent an interesting research focus nowadays. In particular, natural materials are widely investigated for their potential intrinsic high thermal energy and environmental performance. In this view, natural stones represent a promising solution as building envelope covering and urban pavement. This paper concerns the experimental characterization of several low-cost and local gravel coverings for roofs and urban paving, properly selected for their natural high albedo characteristics. To this aim, the in-field albedo of gravel samples is measured with varying grain size. These in-field measurements are compared to in-lab measurements of solar reflectance and thermal emissivity. The analysis shows a significant variation of the albedo with varying grain size. Both in-lab and in-field measurements agree that the stones with the finest grain size, i.e., fine sand, have the best optic-thermal performance in terms of solar reflectance (62%). This feature results in the reduction of the surface temperature when exposed to solar radiation. Moreover, a natural mixed stone is compared to the high reflectance stone, demonstrating that the chosen stone presents an intrinsic “cool” behavior. Therefore, this natural, low-cost, durable and sustainable material could be successfully considered as a natural cool roof or cool paving solution.
Experimental Analysis of Natural Gravel Covering as Cool Roofing and Cool Pavement
Anna Laura Pisello (author) / Gloria Pignatta (author) / Veronica Lucia Castaldo (author) / Franco Cotana (author)
2014
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
cool roof , cool paving , highly reflective gravel , in-field albedo , energy efficiency in buildings , cool pavements , urban heat island , reduction of cooling demand , Environmental effects of industries and plants , TD194-195 , Renewable energy sources , TJ807-830 , Environmental sciences , GE1-350
Metadata by DOAJ is licensed under CC BY-SA 1.0
| Tema Archive | 2004
Metal Roofing - A Cool Choice for Any Building
British Library Online Contents | 2006
Cool roofing coatings. Considerations in formulating and using
| Tema Archive | 2012
Envelope: Reflective roofing and solar panels are the ultimate cool roofing solution
British Library Online Contents | 2011