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Thermal Performance and Comfort Conditions Analysis of a Vernacular Palafitic Timber Building in Portuguese Coastline Context

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Fernandes

    (Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Ricardo Mateus

    (Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Helena Gervásio

    (Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Sandra Monteiro Silva

    (Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Jorge Branco

    (Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Manuela Almeida

    (Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

Abstract

The palafitic timber constructions of the central Portuguese coastline are an example of the adaptation to site-specific conditions (climate and sand landscape morphodynamics) using the available endogenous resources. Thus, in a context of environmental awareness and climate change, it is relevant to understand their features/strategies and how they perform. This work analyses the energy performance and thermal condition evaluation of a vernacular timber building– palheiro –from Praia de Mira, through in situ measurements, subjective analysis and energy simulation provided by DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus. The results show a good or satisfactory thermal performance during most of the seasons by passive means only. Despite, it was not possible to guarantee thermal comfort conditions for the occupants during winter. In the energy performance analysis, five scenarios, with different external walls, were compared. In the two scenarios that satisfy the maximum U-value for the climate zone, the current conventional building had a slightly better performance on heating and cooling (less 1.1 and 1.4 kWh/m 2 , respectively) than the timber building. However, the difference between the two construction solutions is not substantial in the annual energy demand (2.5 kWh/m 2 , 7.3%), indicating that timber structures are suitable in this mild climate area.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Fernandes & Ricardo Mateus & Helena Gervásio & Sandra Monteiro Silva & Jorge Branco & Manuela Almeida, 2020. "Thermal Performance and Comfort Conditions Analysis of a Vernacular Palafitic Timber Building in Portuguese Coastline Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-33, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10484-:d:462713
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Timothy O. Adekunle, 2021. "Indoor Comfort, Thermal Indices, and Energy Assessment of Multi-Family Colonial Revival Style Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Livia Cosentino & Jorge Fernandes & Ricardo Mateus, 2023. "A Review of Natural Bio-Based Insulation Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Raphaele Malheiro & Adriana Ansolin & Christiane Guarnier & Jorge Fernandes & Maria Teresa Amorim & Sandra Monteiro Silva & Ricardo Mateus, 2021. "The Potential of the Reed as a Regenerative Building Material—Characterisation of Its Durability, Physical, and Thermal Performances," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.

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