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Effect of Leaf Area Index on Green Facade Thermal Performance in Buildings

Author

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  • Fabiana Convertino

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Evelia Schettini

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Ileana Blanco

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Carlo Bibbiani

    (Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Giuliano Vox

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

Green facades applied on a building’s envelope allow achieving the building’s passive thermal control and energy consumption reduction. These are complex systems and many site- and plant-specific parameters influence their energy behavior. The leaf area index (LAI) is a relevant plant characteristic to consider. Solar shading and latent heat loss of plant evapotranspiration are the two main cooling mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the cooling effect provided by an evergreen south oriented green facade in summer in a Mediterranean area and to investigate what happens when LAI changes. Experimental data were used to calculate the cooling effect provided by the facade. Simulations with different LAI values were performed to determine the related cooling effect. The canopy solar transmissivity decreased by 54% for every LAI unit increase. LAI significantly influenced the green facade cooling performance. As LAI increased, solar shading and latent heat increased; this was relevant until an upper limit value of 6. An exponential equation to calculate the mean extinction coefficient ( k m ), and a polynomial relationship, with very good agreement, were proposed to calculate shading and latent heat as function of LAI. The findings of this research can effectively contribute to fill still existing gaps on green facades’ energy performance and to the energy simulation of buildings equipped with them.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabiana Convertino & Evelia Schettini & Ileana Blanco & Carlo Bibbiani & Giuliano Vox, 2022. "Effect of Leaf Area Index on Green Facade Thermal Performance in Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2966-:d:763398
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manso, Maria & Teotónio, Inês & Silva, Cristina Matos & Cruz, Carlos Oliveira, 2021. "Green roof and green wall benefits and costs: A review of the quantitative evidence," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Pérez, Gabriel & Coma, Julià & Sol, Salvador & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2017. "Green facade for energy savings in buildings: The influence of leaf area index and facade orientation on the shadow effect," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 424-437.
    3. Pérez, Gabriel & Coma, Julià & Martorell, Ingrid & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2014. "Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) for energy saving in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 139-165.
    4. Constantin C. Bungău & Ioana Francesca Prada & Marcela Prada & Constantin Bungău, 2019. "Design and Operation of Constructions: A Healthy Living Environment-Parametric Studies and New Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-19, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cansu Iraz Seyrek Şık & Agata Woźniczka & Barbara Widera, 2022. "A Conceptual Framework for the Design of Energy-Efficient Vertical Green Façades," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Ileana Blanco & Fabiana Convertino, 2023. "Thermal Performance of Green Façades: Research Trends Analysis Using a Science Mapping Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, June.

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