Papers by Mohammad al-Homoud
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Building design is a decision making process where decisions are made on the selection of certain... more Building design is a decision making process where decisions are made on the selection of certain design variables in order to achieve certain objectives (i.e. economy, thermal comfort, visual comfort, aesthetics, etc.). Information on the relationships between the variables and the desired objectives are necessary for proper decision making. Architects have traditionally reached their design decisions based on past experience. However, total reliance upon individual experience may lead to incomplete and inaccurate results. Therefore, given today's complexities in building design as well as advances in computer technology, systematic approaches can be used as an aid to, not a replacement for, building designers in the decision making process. The aim of this paper is to describe the formulation of an optimization model for the thermal design of building envelopes. This requires defining building design variables, a criterion of optimality, constraints, and a suitable thermal sim...
The number of fires reported by the General Civil Defense Administration (GCDA) in Saudi Arabia i... more The number of fires reported by the General Civil Defense Administration (GCDA) in Saudi Arabia indicates that fire is a major hazard in residential buildings, accounting for the highest percentage of buildings burnt. It seems that building designers and engineers do not give much considerations to the risk of fire in many of types of buildings. A considerable insight at safety measures in the design of buildings is therefore required. Architects and engineers play the most significant role assuring safety in the design of buildings. Although they know that designing for safety is vitally important, it is not clear yet how to go about establishing, incorporating and enforcing safety measures in buildings. The most readily available information is the safety instructions for different types of buildings provided by the GCDA. The objective of this paper is to present the results of a field assessment conducted to study the current safety practices in the design stage of residential buildings in Saudi Arabia and to identify common deficiencies in safety design. It also presents a systematic safety compliance checklist based on existing local safety instructions and international safety codes and standards. The checklist use is intended to ensure compliance with minimal safety requirements in the design stage of residential buildings.
Thermal Science, 2010
In this paper, presented is the state of the art of Energy Efficiency (EE) of residential buildin... more In this paper, presented is the state of the art of Energy Efficiency (EE) of residential buildings in Serbia. Special attention is paid to energy efficiency in already existing buildings. The average energy consumption in residential buildings in Serbia is over 150 kWh/m2 per year, while in developed European countries it is about 50 kWh/m2 per year. In this paper examined is the contribution of ventilation losses, through the windows of low quality, regardless whether they are poorly made, or made from bad materials, or with no adequate glass. Besides ventilation losses, which are of major importance in our buildings, special attention is paid to transmission losses, which are consequence of the quality and energy efficiency of the facade. All of the above statements are proved by measurements obtained on a representative building of the Block 34 in New Belgrade, built in the eighties of the last century. In addition to measurements performed the calculation of energy consumption ...
Energy Engineering, 2000
ABSTRACT The energy issue is becoming a determining factor in the living standards of individuals... more ABSTRACT The energy issue is becoming a determining factor in the living standards of individuals as well as societies. The increasing demand for increased productivity, improved quality of products/services, reduced environmental emissions, and reduced energy costs are all incentives for organizations to invest in and implement new energy efficiency technologies and management approaches. This necessitates a collective effort towards the efficient and wise utilization of all energy resources. This article introduces the concept of total productive energy management (TPEM). This approach would require the involvement of all members of a facility to take part in energy conservation activities in their facility by being responsible for the management of energy systems in the space(s) they occupy and/or the equipment they operate. Top management commitment, incentives to employees, and continuous training are the means of implementing such an approach in organizations. This approach will help implant the awa...
Careful long term decisions in the design and operation of buildings can signrf~cantly improve th... more Careful long term decisions in the design and operation of buildings can signrf~cantly improve the thermal performance and thus reduce the consumption of energy. The availability and ease of use of today's computers can be a sigruficant benefit to the decision making process of building design. In dealing with the building as a thennal system, the proper selection of its components and their relationships can be organized using a systems approach. This can be achieved by coupling an optimization technique into the thermal performance of buildings early in the design process. This requires formulating the building as a welldefined thermal system in a framework suitable for the application of systematic approaches. The aim of this paper is to describe the basic £ramework of a building thermal design optimization model by defining building design variables, a criterion of optimality, constraints, and a suitable thermal simulation model that can be integrated into the proper optimiz...
Early design decisions can be significant in determining the thermal performance of buildings. Ho... more Early design decisions can be significant in determining the thermal performance of buildings. However, necessary information to base such decisions is rarely available. Implementation of systematic approaches to the design process can help in providing such information with the least cost. This article presents the development and validation of an optimization model that utilizes a direct search optimization technique incorporated with an hourly building energy simulation program for the optimum thermal design of building envelopes. The implementation results of the model to the design of office and residential buildings at different climatic conditions are also presented.
Engineering Sciences, 2001
Page 1. qj ∂ <éóq <qj q √<÷ćé¸kgb <ìi F&l... more Page 1. qj ∂ <éóq <qj q √<÷ćé¸kgb <ìi F<ÂÅ q¸ <¦í ~ <~h <ê <ék qh ≈<<Îíh <Łfi<~b <ê <~h ÎqbF<ŁÅ g <~j <çgF<sb q <»ćs ÌqhbF<s ~ij <è s Îíb <sk Åb <sfghF<−<Ÿ¸j¸a î <èj q √<ê <¡π∞<ì ≈<¡∑∞Q <q <Ôqi <èab <î_e ćÖg F ...
Energy and Buildings, 2009
Journal of Building Engineering
Building Research and Information, Jul 1, 2004
The incidence rate of fire in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia accounts for 69% of all build... more The incidence rate of fire in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia accounts for 69% of all building fires. A field assessment of current safety issues for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia is used to identify common safety deficiencies. The survey showed that most residents are ignorant many safety aspects in their homes. A safety audit checklist for assessing the effectiveness of safety measures in existing residential buildings is also presented. Based on these findings, a number of strategies for designers, local authorities, building owners and residents is suggested.
Building and Environment, May 1, 1997
Building design is a decision making process, in which decisions are made on the selection of cer... more Building design is a decision making process, in which decisions are made on the selection of certain design variables in order to achieve certain objectives (i.e. economy, thermal comfort, visual comfort, aesthetics, etc.). Information on the relationships between the variables and the desired objectives is necessary for proper decision making. Architects have traditionally reached their design decisions based on past
Indoor and Built Environment
This study presents the implementation of a multi-phase investigation and remedial approach aimed... more This study presents the implementation of a multi-phase investigation and remedial approach aimed at solving a thermal comfort problem in an office building which was the subject of complaint. As part of the first phase to verify existence and extent of the problem, a simple and practical questionnaire survey was developed and utilized to try eliciting the occupants' perception of the thermal comfort quality of the space in question. Additionally, field measurements of space thermal parameters and the Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system parameters were conducted as part of the preliminary and detailed assessment stages. Analysis of assessment results has lead to the identification of short-term and long-term remedial measures to alleviate thermal comfort problems and improve the quality of thermal comfort in the office space.
Journal of King Abdulaziz University-Engineering Sciences, 2005
Mosques are distinguished from other types of buildings by having a unique function characterized... more Mosques are distinguished from other types of buildings by having a unique function characterized by an intermittent operation schedule. Within a given area and time zone, mosques are operated simultaneously, which could have an impact on the demand for energy particularly in areas that are highly dependent on mechanical airconditioning, and/or heating for achieving thermal comfort. The importance of achieving thermal comfort in mosques to enable worshippers perform prayers in a spiritual environment with minimum energy requirements; make the thermal design and operation of energy systems in mosques critical parameters in determining their performance. The analysis of electric energy bills data is a feasible and useful approach in showing the general trend and the history of energy use. The billing data can provide a reasonable estimate of the overall annual electric energy use in mosques. This study presents the analysis of five-year electric energy billing data for five typical mosques in the hot-humid climate of the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The aim is to assess and compare energy use trends over time of different types of mosques as a step towards a comprehensive study of their energy systems, overall thermal performance and operation strategies.
Building Simulation, 2012
Thermal performance of buildings is mainly determined by their thermo-physical and operational ch... more Thermal performance of buildings is mainly determined by their thermo-physical and operational characteristics as well as the prevailing climatic conditions. Mosques which represent a unique type of building in terms of construction and operation can be major consumers of cooling energy, particularly in hot climates, if not properly designed and operated. In this study, energy modeling and simulation is utilized to identify potential energy savings due to envelope retrofitting measures and airconditioning (A/C) operational strategies while maintaining acceptable thermal conditions. Results revealed a good potential for energy reductions when proper thermal retrofitting and operational strategies are employed. As much as 26% reduction in annual cooling energy is obtained when applying roof and wall insulation and reducing air infiltration to 0.5 ACH. By implementing a proper A/C operational strategy and employing system efficiency improvements, the required cooling energy can be reduced by around 36%. The total reduction in cooling energy consumption due to combined A/C system and envelope retrofit measures can be as much as 48%. A number of recommendations pertaining to mosque design, retrofitting and A/C operational strategies are derived. These are expected to be of great use to mosque designers and operators worldwide, but particularly in hot climates.
Careful long term decisions in the design and operation of buildings can significantly improve th... more Careful long term decisions in the design and operation of buildings can significantly improve the thermal performance and thus reduce the consumption of energy. The availability and ease of use of today's computers can be a sigruficant benefit to the decision making process of building design. In dealing with the building as a thermal system, the proper selection of its components and their relationships can be organized using a systems approach. This can be achieved by coupling an optimization technique into the thermal performance of buildings early in the design process. This requires formulating the building as a well-defined thermal system in a framework suitable for the application of systematic approaches. The aim of this paper is to describe the basic framework of a building thermal design optimization model by defining building design variables, a criterion of optimality, constraints, and a suitable thermal simulation model that can be integrated into the proper optimi...
Journal of Building Physics, 2009
Buildings with intermittent occupancy may not perform thermally the same as typical commercial an... more Buildings with intermittent occupancy may not perform thermally the same as typical commercial and residential facilities. Thermal comfort requirements require careful envelope design coupled with the appropriate air-conditioning system operation strategies. One of the most prominent examples of such buildings is mosques. Mosques are usually occupied five intermittent times day and night all year round. Like any other building, they
... 21·3°N latitude; 39·1°E longitude; 56 ft above sea level), Saudi Arabia, have climates simila... more ... 21·3°N latitude; 39·1°E longitude; 56 ft above sea level), Saudi Arabia, have climates similar to those of Phoenix, Arizona, and Houston, Texas, respectively, with some variations in the severity of the high summer temperatures for Riyadh and the mildness of winters in Jeddah ...
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Papers by Mohammad al-Homoud