Reliability of Computer Simulation on Illuminance Level of Pendentive Dome Mosque in Comparison with On-Field Data Collection

Ahmad Sanusi Hassan,Yasser Arab

doi:10.5539/mas.v8n2p183

Abstract

This research study discusses the accuracy of 3dStudio Max Design software in simulating illuminance distribution on pendentive dome mosque design. The case study is the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mosque has pendentive dome design similar to the design of the Ottoman mosques and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. The accuracy level is evaluated based on comparisons between the predicted software and the measured-on-site data on the illuminance distribution. Both field monitoring readings and computer simulations of the mosque interior (prayer hall) were collected and data logged during the winter solstice, the day when the sun was on a perimeter at its highest latitude at the Tropic of Capricorn (23° 26' 16'' S) which occurred on 21st December 2013. The illuminance level was measured at five locations inside the mosque. Result of this study revealed similar readings between the measured on-field and predicted computer simulation data with small marginal value difference. This study suggests acceptable accuracy readings provided by 3dStudio Max Design software for lighting simulation.

Highlights

Reducing energy consumption on building design becomes increasingly an important issue and approach in sustainable built environment
This study suggests acceptable accuracy readings provided by 3dStudio Max Design software for lighting simulation
The accuracy level will be tested based on a comparison of the results between 3dStudio Max Design’s computer simulation and on-field data taken inside a prayer hall of the Federal Territory Mosque (Figure 1) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the case study

Summary

Introduction

Reducing energy consumption on building design becomes increasingly an important issue and approach in sustainable built environment. The increasing number of studies have been conducted and emphasized on the importance of using daylighting in building design. With growing number of available computer simulation programs in recent years, they have witnessed a growing number of design practitioners who are looking for accurate results in their lighting simulation software. There are numbers of studies which have examined the accuracy of these softwares in recent years. These studies have examined the reliability of computer programs such as RADIANCE (Kim & Chung, 2011; Ng et al, 2001; Galasiu & Atif, 2002; Reinhart & Walkenhorst, 2001) Superlite and Superlink (Galasiu & Atif, 2002), and Energyplus (Shrestha & Maxwell, 2011)

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Conclusion