The Influence on Daylight and Energy Consumption of Expanded Metal Mesh Applied on Building Façades

Tsay Yaw-Shyan,Yang Chih-Hung,S.I Tanabe,P Wargocki,L Mazzarela,H Zhang,J Kurnitski,I Nastase,M.C Gameiro Da Silva,C Inard,G Cao

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201911103049

Abstract

Expanded metal mesh has become widely used as a shading element in the façade of many buildings in recent years, and its energy saving performance has been evaluated in tropical/subtropical countries. However, expanded metal mesh reduces solar radiation while also reducing the natural daylight entering the building. This study’s objective is to assess the impact of expanded metal mesh on building energy consumption and natural daylighting. The daylight effects on visual comfort and energy consumption of an office building located in Tainan, Taiwan were studied via building simulation program DIVA. Parameters including window to wall ratios (WWR), perforation rate expanded metal mesh, and glazing of window glass were studied, and a daylight standard of LEED rating system was used for evaluation. The results showed that when the office building with large WWR and less glazing, the expanded metal mesh performed a better energy saving effect. For an office building with 50% WWR, the laminated clear glass and expanded metal mesh with 21% perforation rate were suggested to be the best design solution for meeting the LEED daylight standard and the lowest energy consumption.

Highlights

In recent years, expanded metal mesh has become widely adopted as a shading element in the façade of many buildings, and its energy saving ability has been evaluated in the building codes of countries like Singapore and Taiwan, which are located in tropical and subtropical regions
36 simulation scenarios were performed according to different window to wall ratios (WWR), glass properties, and perforation rates of expanded metal mesh
According to the results of our lighting simulations, only three scenarios conformed with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) daylight standard, and S16, which consisted of 50% WWR, laminated clear glass, and expanded metal mesh with a 21% perforation rate, displayed the greatest energy efficiency

Summary

Introduction

In recent years, expanded metal mesh has become widely adopted as a shading element in the façade of many buildings, and its energy saving ability has been evaluated in the building codes of countries like Singapore and Taiwan, which are located in tropical and subtropical regions. The 3D shape of the mesh reflects certain angles of solar radiation, while allowing some angles of solar radiation to pass through. These dual characteristics can promote the design flexibility of metal mesh on the façade and filter environmental elements that are not required. Since the shading device blocks solar radiation, it reduces the daylighting in the building, so artificial lighting is required to achieve comfortable illumination, resulting in more energy consumption. Whether the shading device can effectively reduce the total energy consumption of a building is worthy of discussion

Objectives

Results

Conclusion