Passive survivability in residential buildings during a heat wave under dynamic exterior conditions

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20316387

The increased frequency of heat waves around the world has prompted numerous studies to improve building resilience and maintain thermal comfort in the face of extreme conditions. However, previous studies rely on the assumption of steady-state conditions, including external temperature, which limits real-world applicability, demanding a more practical perspective. This thesis presents the use of recorded heat wave temperatures for a specified location to simulate the effect of extreme outdoor temperatures on the interior temperature of buildings when air conditioning is not used. The objective of this research is to study how a building becomes uninhabitable during extreme heat and to effectively compare the changes in internal temperature of different building types during heat waves and standard climatic conditions. Residential buildings were modeled using OpenStudio and simulated using EnergyPlus 8.7.0. for modified weather data files using recorded historical heat wave events. The results obtained provide a method for dynamic simulation of extreme events, establish a framework for policies supporting passive survivability in construction and consequently, reduce heat-related mortality.