SOLAR-RADIATION TRANSPORT THROUGH SLAT-TYPE BLINDS - A NEW MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION FOR THERMAL SIMULATION OF BUILDINGS

Although external and internal slat-type blinds (such as venetian blin ds) are used frequently to reduce the solar load on windows, there are no detailed calculation models for such shading devices within detail ed thermal simulation models (DSMs). A new calculation model (GLSIM-BL IND) has been written to either simulate blind systems accurately at e ach simulation time-step, or to simulate blinds approximately using si mplified daily effective shading factors for each radiation component. In addition, the program calculates annual or monthly effective total solar transmittance values, or effective shading factors, which can b e used in thermal calculations or in simple dynamic programs. The mode l can be used for a wide range of different blind systems and blind co ntrol strategies. It is suitable for optimising blind arrangements dur ing the design phase of a building. This article shows the theoretical basis of the new calculation technique and demonstrates its applicati on in thermal building simulations. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd.