Module 9 Natural Building and Cooling Materials

DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT
Module 8: Natural Building

Materials
GOSPEL READING OR PRAYER
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Natural Cooling
Solutions
Natural Air Cooling Systems
Natural air cooling systems are typically categorized into two types:
• Adiabatic Humidification Process - In hot-arid climates, the adiabatic
humidification process (or evaporative cooling) is very effective. Spraying water
into a stream of air cools and humidifies the air. This phenomenon can improve
environmental comfort in very hot, dry climates.
• Subsoil Temperature Exploitation – This method exploits the lower temperature

of the subsoil, which is typically lower than the air temperature in summer in
cold and temperate climates.
Subsoil Temperature Exploitation in Hot-Humid Climates
• This system is not suitable for hot-humid climates because the temperature of
the subsoil up to a depth of 3-4 meters is very close to the air temperature. In
hot-arid climates, where outdoor air temperature is higher than the subsoil
during the day, the system remains effective for only 1-2 weeks before the
surrounding soil heats up.
• To avoid this effect, the system should work at night, when cooler outdoor air
cools the soil around the pipes. However, this would warm up the air entering
the indoor spaces.
Evaporative Cooling
evaporative Cooling
• The evaporative cooling principle can be
utilized by keeping the underground soil wet,
which cools down the soil by evaporation. The
gravel or pebble layer serves as a protection
from solar radiation, ensuring the soil
remains cool.
Evaporative Cooling Tower
An example system is an
evaporative cooling tower,
where cooled air "sinks" and
spreads into the indoor space.
Steps for Sizing a Downdraft Evaporative Cooling Tower
Step 1 – From climatic data, find the design dry
bulb temperature and the coincident relative
humidity for the site.
Step 2 – On a psychrometric chart, mark the point

corresponding to the design values (e.g., 35°C dry
bulb temperature and 20% relative humidity).
Step 3 – Move along the constant enthalpy line

until the 60% relative humidity curve is reached.
Step 4 – Find the dry bulb temperature after

adiabatic humidification (e.g., 22°C).
Step 5 – Calculate the airflow rate using equation

(3.5-2) from the Natural Ventilation, Stack Effect
section, with To = 295 K and Ti = 305 K.
Tower Design Considerations
• The tower's walls must be
insulated for optimal
cooling capacity. If wind is
present and the inlet is
well-designed, the tower
also acts as a wind
catcher, enhancing airflow.
Ceiling Fan Systems
Airflow Impact
• The air movement from a ceiling fan depends on the fan's
position, power, rotation speed, and blade size. The
distance from the fan and the room furnishings also
affect airspeed. Ceiling fans are particularly useful in
offices, classrooms, and spaces where natural ventilation
is weak or unavailable.
Misting Fans
Misting Fans
• In hot-arid climates, the effectiveness of fans can be
enhanced by the evaporative cooling effect using
misting fans. These fans are equipped with fog nozzles,
which release a fine mist that evaporates quickly,
combining evaporative and convective cooling to
significantly improve comfort.
Outdoor use
• Misting fans are also suitable for

outdoor environments, providing
enhanced comfort through
evaporative cooling in open areas.
Building Materials:
Walls
Brick and Block Products:
Brick and block products made from recycled content should be prioritized.
Such as:
• fly ash from coal-burning plants, =\
• blast furnace slag

• sewage sludge
• waste wood fiber
• rice husk ash
Fly ash can replace approximately 15% to 35% of the total cementitious
material, while slag content should typically range between 20% and
25%
Earth Blocks:
Earth blocks, which require only around one-
thousandth of the energy needed to fire
traditional bricks, are another sustainable
option. Even when stabilized with cement (at
5% to 15%), they use no more than one-sixth
of the energy per kg of material.
These blocks are particularly suitable for

low-cost, low-rise construction across
various climates, provided the thickness is
appropriate (thicker in hot-arid regions,
thinner in hot-humid areas, and intermediate
in other climates).
Native or Quarried Stones
Native or quarried stones
sourced within a 100 km
radius significantly lower
embodied energy content,
incur negligible transport
energy costs and require
only basic shaping.
Organic Materials
Organic materials, such as
matting of bamboo, grass, or
leaves, are excellent for hot-
humid zones, as they lack
thermal storage capacity and
airtightness, allowing for
proper ventilation.
ROOFS
Outer Roof Coverings:
In tropical regions, outer roof
coverings must meet opposing
requirements, maintaining waterproof
capability in high humidity and heavy
rainfall while withstanding extremely
high surface temperatures combined
with low humidity.
Roofing materials such as tiles and

metal can be appropriate when used
correctly. Earth provides good thermal
insulation and emissivity, making it
suitable for arid climates.
Burnt Clay Tiles:
Burnt clay tiles remain a traditional
material with good thermal properties,
though they are heavier than sheet
roofs and their thermal mass may not
be sufficient for storing heat during
the day and releasing it at night,
provided a ventilated void is available.
They require strong support

structures and are permeable to air
through gaps.
Monolithic Concrete Slabs:
Monolithic concrete slabs
offer poor thermal
resistance but high storage
capacity. They remain cool
in the morning but can re-
radiate daytime heat into
the interior in the evening
and night.
flagstone
Monolithic Concrete Slabs
Natural stone materials
(flagstone, slate) have
thermal performance slate
similar to concrete tiles,
depending on thickness and
surface brightness.
Organic Materials
Organic materials
like bamboo, leaves,
thatch, and
wooden shingles
are climatically
suitable but may
lack durability.
Bituminous Roofing
Bituminous roofing
presents challenges in
the tropics, deteriorating
quickly due to intense
solar radiation and its
dark color.
Single Skin Corrugated
Galvanized Iron Sheeting (CGI)
Single-skin corrugated galvanized iron sheeting
(CGI) is popular but lacks significant thermal
resistance; aged sheets have poor reflectivity, re-
radiating solar heat into buildings and causing
uncomfortably high indoor temperatures.
To preserve reflective quality and extend lifespan,

CGI roofs should be painted light-colored, though
this requires frequent maintenance. Rapid cooling
at night may lead to condensation in humid
climates, and CGI has a short lifespan and can be
noisy during rain.
Corrugated Aluminum Sheets
Corrugated aluminum sheets have gained
popularity for their high reflectivity, although
quality options can be expensive.
The high initial price is balanced by low

maintenance costs, preferable to those for
galvanized or non-galvanized painted roofs.
Insulating layers or ventilated cavities are

recommended for optimal thermal and
acoustic performance.
Bituminous Roofing Felt
Bituminous roofing felt, suitable
for tropical use, is used for flat
roofs, similar to temperate zones.
Whitewashing can prevent

excessive heating, while a layer of
gravel further enhances
durability and protects against
mechanical damage.
Insulation
Materials
Glass Fiber Insulation
Various natural and artificial
insulation materials are available and
must be carefully selected for
application beneath roofs or above
ceilings. Glass fiber insulation is
typically produced from sand,
limestone, or recycled glass, with
formaldehyde-based binders added.
Some manufacturers produce binder-
free glass fiber or use acrylic binders.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation, made from
recycled newsprint, is often
locally produced and has low
energy requirements, leading to
low embodied energy and
environmental impact.
Production methods include
chopping, shredding, or
disaggregating newsprint into
fibers.
Moulded Expanded
Polystyrene (MEPS)
Moulded Expanded
Polystyrene (MEPS),
commonly known as
“beadboard,” consists of
loose polystyrene beads
containing liquid pentane
and a blowing agent, heated
to expand and increase
thermal resistance.
Extruded Expanded
Polystyrene (XEPS)
Extruded Expanded Polystyrene
(XEPS) is a closed-cell foam insulation
similar to MEPS, made from
polystyrene pellets mixed with
chemicals to form a liquid, with a
blowing agent injected to form gas
bubbles. It has higher compressive
strength than MEPS, making it better
suited for roofs and wall panels.
Polyisocyanurate
Polyisocyanurate is a closed-cell
foam used as rigid thermal
insulation, similar to polyurethane.
However, all polystyrene and
polyisocyanurate-based insulations
may have significant environmental
impacts.
End of Lecture

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DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

Module 8: Natural Building

• Subsoil Temperature Exploitation – This method exploits the lower temperature

Step 2 – On a psychrometric chart, mark the point

Step 3 – Move along the constant enthalpy line

Step 4 – Find the dry bulb temperature after

Step 5 – Calculate the airflow rate using equation

• Misting fans are also suitable for

• fly ash from coal-burning plants, =\

• blast furnace slag

These blocks are particularly suitable for

Roofing materials such as tiles and

They require strong support

To preserve reflective quality and extend lifespan,

The high initial price is balanced by low

Insulating layers or ventilated cavities are

Whitewashing can prevent

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