Roof and thermal comfort

Architectural Dissertation

20, Jacob J Mathew

S8 ,2015 -20
BJSOA
INTRODUCTION

Roof ,as an element is important since it influences the form, aesthetics and the climate responsiveness. In a single storey building, heat
absorption takes place mainly through the roof which has a major role in determining the thermal comfort. Thermal comfort exists
when the core temperature of the body and temperature in the surrounding is in equilibrium. The traditional buildings achieved
thermal comfort using natural ventilation and building techniques which is still experienced. Roof is the major contributor of heat gain
in buildings. Theoretical studies are available to determine heat flow through different building components. But a very few studies are
available which deal with experimental investigation

The advancement in construction technology has given rise to buildings with concrete roofs. It has become more preferable due to the
easiness of construction and time saving compared to traditional and vernacular methods but time has showed how it failed in
achieving the thermal comfort. The heat absorption takes place during the day and it reradiates during the night. This condition has
lead to to a ‘roofing sheet revolution’ and increase in the use of mechanical systems for cooling. .

How did the present day forms evolve ? What are their pros and cons?, How can the contemporary forms be constructed without
affecting the thermal comfort ?
AIM
To explore the element ‘roof ’ as a determining factor of thermal comfort and to find the methods to reduce the heat conduction from exterior to interior
in different roof forms.

OBJECTIVE
• Inferring the effectiveness of traditional roof systems in achieving thermal comfort.
• Understanding the significance of roof form in tropical region and analyzing the evolution of the present day forms.
• Comparing the common roof systems that exit at present with respect to heat conduction.
• Formulating construction guidelines for different roof forms and methods to reduce heat conduction.

LIMITATIONS
• The comfort factor is subjective as it differs from person to person. So, generalization is needed.
• Due to limitation of time, the study is narrowed to the climate of hot and humid regions in Kerala(namely midlands)
• The study mainly aims in detached residential units.

SCOPE
Addressing the issue of thermal discomfort which is experienced in many of the residential buildings, the study aims:
• In formulating guidelines for roof construction in present day forms using different materials and construction techniques keeping the thermal comfort
factor.
• To provide viable solutions to protect the existing buildings from heating.
As new ideas and forms evolve ,the thermal factor of roof must not be a limiting factor for the creative and sustainable design. The study will put forward :
• Ideas to improve the thermal comfort in the existing buildings.
• Viable solutions that are economic and sustainable.
Data collection
 Climate of Kerala(koppens classification)
A area of tropical monsoon climate (occasionally known as a tropical wet
climate or a tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate) is a type
of climate that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification category "Am".
Amw (monsoon type with distinctive dry season) which include west coast south
of Mumbai, with over 3000mm rainfall annually.
Geography of Kerala
Kerala (38,863 km²; 1.18% of India’s landmass) is situated between the Arabian
Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east.
Kerala’s coast runs some 580 km in length, while the state itself varies between
35–120 km in width. Geographically, Kerala roughly divides into three climatically
distinct regions. These include:

• the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain),

• the central midlands (rolling hills), and
• the western lowlands (coastal plains).

Climate change projection

According to the IMD the temperature across Kerala is likely to rise about 2C
and 4C in the highlands.
Source :https://www.geographyandyou.com/climate-change/environment/koppen-climate-classification-system/ , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_monsoon_climate
 Types of roof
Mainly thee are two types of roofs , namely
• Pitched roof and
• Curved roof

The pitched roof has different types and combinations.

The curved roof has three different types, namely
• Single curved
• Double curved and
• Parametric

Solar radiation
• Transparency of the atmosphere
• Slope and orientation of the site
• Nearby hills or even trees and existing buildings

stone, concrete or especially an asphalt surface can reach a

More the volume, more the air to be replaced to temperature up to 44 degC higher than the surrounding air temperature.
allow cooling.
Influence of colour on heat absorption U value(w/m2K )
• From the data we can observe that the more darker the colour, the • Clay roof tile-0.095
more heat it will absorb.
• The thermal absorption decreases from black to white. • Wood -0.27

• So it is advisable to use lighter colors for the roofing envelope, where • Steel -1.64
the solar radiation directly hits.
• Metal sheet – 1.20

• RCC 6inch thick -0.75

• Air gaps – 5.67

• Vacuum - 0.25

• Gypsum board -0.5625

• Glass -1.22

• Thermocol-0.47
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130429155003AA6JqIV
&guccounter=1
Effect of roof pitch
SLOPE ANGLE
3/12 14.0°
• (1) For all the investigated roof pitches, air flow in 5/12 22.6°
the sealed attics is steady and asymmetric, 8/12 33.7°
while that in the vented attics tend to be an 12/12 45.0°
essentially symmetric base flow superimposed by 18/12 56.3°
a periodical oscillation.
• (2) For both the sealed and vented attics, the
cooling load monotonically decreases with the
roof pitch. As the roof pitch decreases from 3/12
to 5/12, 8/12, 12/12, and 18/12, the attic cooling
load is predicted to decrease by 0.6%, 2.1%, 4.6%,
6.6%, respectively, for the sealed attics and to
increase by 4.8%, 7.3%, 8.6%, and 10%, respectively,
for the vented attics.
• (3) The mass flow rate of the ventilating air
through the vented attics increases
monotonically with the roof pitch. As the roof
pitch increases from 3/12 to 5/12, 8/12, 12/12, and
18/12, the mass flow rate of the ventilating air is
predicted to increase by 23%, 53%, 83%, and 124%,
Expected and actual readings of a sealed attic
respectively. Expected and actual readings of a ventilated ceiling
• Effects of Roof Pitch on Air Flow and Heating Load of Sealed and Vented Attics for Gable-Roof Residential Buildings Shimin
Wang and Zhigang Shen ,The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Thermal quantities
• The U-value of a building component like a wall, roof or window, measures the amount of energy (heat) lost through a square
meter (m2) of that material for every degree (K) difference in temperature between the inside and the outside
Energy flows along in watts (which is a measure of energy in ‘joules’ flowing over a period of time in ‘seconds’ ).
Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius to the rest of us.
U = 1/R in W/m2degC
• Thermal Conductivity / λ (lambda)
Thermal conductivity measures the ease with which heat can travel through a material by conduction. Conduction is the main form of
heat transfer through insulation . It is often termed the λ (lambda) value. The lower the figure, the better the performance.

• ‘R-value’ (reciprocal of U-value) means the Thermal Resistance or how much of a fight the material puts up against the heat passing
through it, for a given thickness and area. The R-value is expressed as m2K/W

• Density
The density refers to the mass (or 'weight') per unit volume of a material and is measured in kg/m3. A high density material maximises
the overall weight and is an aspect of 'low' thermal diffusivity and 'high' thermal mass.

Source:Koenigsberger, Manual of Tropical Housing and Building—Climatic

Design, Orient Longman Private Limited, 1975.
Thermal comfort-Subjective variables
• Clothing can be varied at the discretion of the individual. a Food and drink of certain kinds may affect the metabolic
person wearing a normal business suit and cotton underwear rate, which may be a reason for the difference in diet between
will require a temperature about 9C lower than a naked body. tropical and arctic people.
• Acclimatization: exposed to a new set of climatic conditions,
Skin color may influence radiation heat gain.it has been
the human body will be reach full adjustment in 30 days and by
demonstrated that the lightest skin reflects about here times as
that time the thermal preferences of the individual will change.
much solar radiation as the darkest
• Age and sex may influence thermal preferences: the Subcutaneous fat, i.e. fat stored under the skin, is an excellent
metabolism of the older people is slower; therefore, they usually
thermal insulator. a fat person will need a cooler air to dissipate
prefer higher temperature. women also have slightly slower
the same amount of heat.
metabolic rates than men; their preference is 1c more than that
of men.
State of health also influences thermal requirements. in an
• Body shape: i.e. the surface to volume ratio, has an effect. a illness the metabolic rates may increase, but the proper
thin person has much greater body surface than a short, functioning of the regulatory mechanisms may be impaired.
corpulent person of the same weight, can dissipate more heat The towable range of temperature will be narrower.
and will prefer a higher temperature.
Source:Koenigsberger, Manual of Tropical Housing and Building—Climatic
Design, Orient Longman Private Limited, 1975.
Kerala traditional architecture roof form
The roof form is sloped with slope varying from 33-45
The common materials used are timber ( structural) and clay tile
( envelope) . Both these are materials with low heat absorptivity .
This resulted in the cooler rooms underneath it. A framework in
timber was constructed using timber joinery and the tiles were
arranged over these.

The gables had perforated designs which enabled the hot air to
flow out of the attic this continuous air flow in the attics ensured
that the both room and attic was not only ventilated but regulated High quality timber was selected after thorough seasoning ,
the humidity too. treated using herbal oils ,carpentered by master carpenters and
put up. This gave them durability
Literature case study
Batak traditional houses
A traditional Batak Toba house is a rectangular building on stilts,
which can be accessed by wooden steps from the ground. Typical of
a Batak Toba house is the steeply rising roof with eaves.
The huge roof is in the shape of a saddleback with sharply projecting
gables. The space under the roof is closed off with triangular gables
and the space under the roof is not divided up into separate rooms.
The sides and rear of the house have only a small window. The
façade of the house is covered with carved motifs, which are painted
in three natural colors: white, red and black. The front wall and the
gable of the house are decorated with extensive figural and
ornamental decoration.

Batak Toba Cultural Heritage and Close-range Photogrammetry Himasari Hanana *, Deni Suwardhib , Tika Nurhasanahb , Elya Santa Bukita a Department of Architecture, Institut Teknologi Bandung,
Bandung, Indonesia b Department of Geodetic Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
• Traditional Toba Batak houses are raised on wooden piles which are connected to the beams through
mortised joints. This type of joinery is much more resistant to earthquakes than joining with
nails. The piles rest on stones which protect them from moisture.
• The walls are typically non-structural, and lean outward, resting against a beam running lengthwise on
either side of the house.
• Toba Batak houses are mostly made of wood and bamboo with thatched roofs. They have a tension
roof structure composed of outward leaning gables which hold the ridge beam in place. The rafters
lean against this ridge beam and are supported on the bottom end by the wall plate. This structure
allows a larger usable interior space

• Most traditional houses are built on stilts, up to two meters off the ground, and constructed of wood
without nails using slots and twine. The roofs are made with sugar-palm leaves or corrugated metal.
• The gables often have carvings of horned lion heads, snakes, lizards or monsters with bulging eyes to
protect the occupants from evil spirits. Animals are raised in the open space beneath the house. Rattan
mats are often hung inside, giving the house a dark atmosphere.
 Batak traditional houses
• The saddleback roof houses (known as Toba architecture) of the Batak People
utilize a saddle shaped roof with projecting edges to create a shaded area in the
front and the back of the house.

• This provides the inhabitants with a cool, outdoor space away from direct
sunlight. The shape also quickly streams rain water off of the building. The
building materials (wood, rushes, and other plants) protect the building from rain
while also allowing for air flow (especially important in Indonesia’s extremely
humid climate).

• All of the materials are quick drying. The side walls are not covered completely,
but rather partially covered with overhanging rushes for ventilation purposes.

• Saddleback roof houses are often oriented north-south to prevent solar heat gain
from the main windows and entrances located on the front and back of the
building

Batakkarohouse:slideshare.com
Malay traditional house
The traditional Malay house is one of the richest components of Malaysia’s
cultural heritage. Designed and built by the villagers themselves, it manifests the
creative and aesthetic skills of the Malays. This is a near-perfect houseform which
is appropriate to local climatic conditions and expresses the way of life of its
inhabitants.
The house is well designed to suit the warm and humid Malaysian climate and
for the multifunctional use of space. Its design is also flexible as it caters to the
widely different needs of the users and it has an addition system which allows the
house to be extended to meet the growing needs of each family.
The large overhangs which provide good shading also provide good protection against
driving rain. They also allow the windows to be left open most of the time for
ventilation, even during the rain.
Malay traditional house
The traditional houses in Malaysia has the following qualities :
(a) allow adequate ventilation for cooling and reduction of humidity;
(b) use building materials with low thermal capacity so that little heat is
transmitted into the house;
(c) control direct solar radiation;
(d) control glare from the open skies and surroundings;
(e) protect against rain; and
(f) ensure adequate natural vegetation in the surroundings to provide
for and a cooler micro-climate.

The lightweight construction of the Malay house with minimum mass

and much voids, using low-thermal-capacity and high-insulation
materials, is most appropriate for thermal comfort in our climate.
The wood, bamboo and attap used have good insulating properties
and they retain or conduct little heat into the building.

Typical malay traditional house

 COMPARATIVE STUDY

Residence at Thazhathangady , Kottayam

Batak traditional house Malay traditional house
Kerala Indonesia Malaysia

Similarities Differences
• All of them has pitched roofs with gable as a means • Roof envelope
to ventilate the space. • Volume enclosed in the roof structure
• Use of low emissive and low heat absorbing • Utility of the roof area.
materials that are obtained locally (Vernacular) • Durability of thatched roof is less than tiled roof.
• Pitch more then 33 degree which facilitates the fast • In Kerala architecture occupying directly under
movement of air upwards. the roof is not observed but other two has such a
• Thermal comfort is achieved by use of passive purpose
methods and evolved design. • Wood in Kerala and Malay architecture, Bamboo in
• Vents for air to enter into the building. batak architecture.
• Overlapping double pitched roofing in Malay
architecture.
LIVE CASE STUDY
Methodology IDENTIFICATION OF HOUSES
CONDITIONS 1. Traditional wooden roof with wooden ceiling -2
• All the case studies will be in a same region 2. Flat RCC roof without ceiling – 2
• The study will be done on consecutive days with 3. Flat RCC roof with ceiling – 2
similar climatic conditions 4. Flat RCC with steel truss -2
• The timing for study will be between 9am -12pm and 5. Slope RCC with tiles -2
3pm -6pm
6. Slope RCC without tiles -2
• The external measurement will be in a shaded space 7. Slope RCC with tiles and ceiling-2
• All the rooms taken for measurements will be Sl no Type External Internal
bedrooms as it will be free from use during daytime
• All the measurements will be in rooms uninhabited for FN AN FN AN
1 Lintel Lintel
minimum 2 hours
• The openings will be closed for minimum 2 hours Ceiling Ceiling

• The measurement will be taken using digital

Attic Attic
thermometer cum hygrometer
• Readings will be taken with five minute gap. 2 ….. .. .. … …..
AREA IDENTIFIED : KANJIRAPALLY TALUK , KOTTAYAM
DISTRICTDAY : 16nth & 17nth March 2019(Summer)
Traditional wooden roof with wooden ceiling
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN
1 Chinamma Mathai 64 37 Lintel 61 46
28.9c 35.8c 28.3c 32.7c
Ceiling 61 45
28.5c 34.2 c
Attic 57 35
34.3c 40.3c
2 Zubin Zachariah 68 40 Lintel 63 49
29.7c 35.1c 28.8c 31.8c
Ceiling 64 49
29c 32.1c
Attic 59 35
33.8c 39c
TRADITIONAL WOODEN ROOF WITH WOODEN CEILING
45
39
40
35.1 45
33.8 40.3
35 31.8
29.7 40
28.8 35.8
30 34.3
35 32.7
25 28.9
30 28.3
20
25
15
20
10
15
5
10
0
FN AN 5

EXTERNAL 0 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL FN AN INTERNAL

The traditional roof consists of wooden frame , cay tile envelope and wooden ceiling the attic will be ventilated by gaps between the
tiles.The space will be heated during daytime but will be the cool during night because of the low thermal absorption by the roof
elements.
From the graphs we can analyze that as the external temperature rises , the internal temperature follows, but is lower than the external.
This is because of the low thermal absorption by the elements
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN

1 Chinamma Mathai 64 37 Lintel 64 53

29c 35.8c 28.4c 32.2c

Ceiling 63 52

28.8c 35.1c

2 Anto kallanchira 67 40 Lintel 65 45

30.2c 33.7c 30.9c 31.8c

Ceiling 66 48

31.3c 32.1c

Flat RCC with false ceiling

 Flat RCC roof with false ceiling
34 33.7

40 33
35.8
35 32.2
32 31.8
29
28.4
30
30.9
25 31
30.2
20 30

15
29
10

5 28
FN AN
0 EXTERNAL INTERNAL Column1 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
FN AN
The RCC roof has high thermal absorption and hence it can store heat, but the air gap and false ceiling will resist the heating of
interior to an extend. The air inside the air gap will heat which is absorbed by the false ceiling resulting in the room heating .
The room temperature is below external because of false ceiling. This is a cheaper option but not totally efficient .
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN

1 Joselet Mathew 40 53 Lintel 43 51

34.8c 32.8c 32.7c 33.9c

Ceiling 41 53

33c 34.4c

2 Shiju p jose 44 42 Lintel 51 52

34.5c 34.0c 32.9c 36.1c

Ceiling 48 47

34.4c 37.6c

Flat RCC exposed

 Flat RCC exposed

37

36.1
35 34.8 36

34.5
35
34.5
33.9
34 34
34
33.5
32.9
33
33 32.8
32.7
32
32.5

32 31
FN AN
31.5 EXTERNAL INTERNAL Column1 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
FN AN

The exposed RCC roof is not advisable since the RCC is exposed and the heat from the ceiling will directly radiate into the room during
night .
In the forenoon the concrete is under absorption process but afternoon it starts reradiating the heat causing temperature rise upto 2
degrees from external temperature.
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN

1 Louis mekkat 58 44 Lintel 65 65

30.3c 37.2c 28.3c 29.8c

Ceiling 67 64

28.8c 30.6c

2 Sajan venmelil 44 42 Lintel 56 52

34.5c 34.0c 30.8c 32.9c

Ceiling 53 51

31.6c 33.9c

Flat RCC with steel truss

 Flat RCC with steel truss

35 34.5
34
40 37.2 34

32.9
35 33
30.3 29.8
30 28.3
32
25
30.8
31
20
30
15
29
10

5 28
FN AN
0 EXTERNAL INTERNAL Column1 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
FN AN

This system is more efficient due to the air movement in the gap between the truss and concrete. As concrete is not exposed the heat
absorption is less resulting in thermal comfort
This has a lower temperature than external temperature in both forenoon and afternoon which shows its efficiency in energy for cooling.
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN

1 Jimmy Mathew 54 64 Lintel 55 64

30.8c 30.4c 30.9c 32.4c

Ceiling 56 61

31.1c 33.1c

2 Jaison joseph 53 64 Lintel 59 59

31c 30.2c 29.9c 32.5c

Ceiling 53 54

30.4c 33.3c

Slope RCC with tiles

Slope RCC with tiles

33
32.5
32.5
33

32.4 32
32.5
31.5
32 31
31
31.5
30.5 30.2
30.9 29.9
31 30.8
30
30.4
30.5 29.5

30 29

29.5 28.5
FN AN
29 EXTERNAL INTERNAL Column1 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
FN AN
This system has concrete exposed to the room . The heat is trapped in the sloped region resulting in heat accumulation inside with
increased humidity. The concrete is not totally exposed because of the presence of roof tiles
The heat accumulation along with reradiation results in thermal discomfort . The temperature differs by 2 degrees in peak conditions .
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN

1 Bobas v 46 46 Lintel 53 38

33.9c 34.2c 32.4c 37.8c

Ceiling 49 35

33.3c 38.9c

2 Bose varghese 43 42 Lintel 46 33

34.5c 34.1c 32.9c 35.1c

Ceiling 47 35

33.1c 35.9c

Slope RCC exposed

Slope RCC exposed

35.5
35.1

39 35
37.8 34.5
38 34.5
34.1
37
34
36
33.5
35
34.2 32.9
33.9 33
34

33 32.4 32.5
32
32
31
31.5
30 FN AN
29 EXTERNAL INTERNAL Column1 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
FN AN
This is one of extreme conditions since the concrete is exposed and absorption takes place in full swing , along with reradiation and heat
accumulation.
The temperature afternoon is higher than the external with increased humidity giving feeling of thermal discomfort . The difference is 3
degrees at extreme conditions.
Sl no Name External Internal

FN AN FN AN

1 Jimmy Mathew 58 43 Lintel 64 56

30.3c 37.3c 30c 31.8c

Ceiling 65 56

30.4c 32.1c

2 Jolly Mathew 45 35 Lintel 48 39

34c 36.6c 32.4c 34.3c

Ceiling 49 40

32.5c 37.1c

Slope RCC with roof tiles and false ceiling

SLOPE RCC roof with tiles and ceiling

37 36.6

40 37.3 36

35 35
30.3 31.1
30 34.3
30 34
34
25
33
32.4
20
32
15
31
10

5 30
FN AN
0 EXTERNAL INTERNAL Column1 EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
FN AN

In this system, the air gap is high which gives more time for heat to reach the ceiling . The heat accumulation is low and cooling
efficiency increases.
Comparative analysis Inference
From the analysis, the following inferences
can be made:
Case Form Maximum Maximum humidity Preferable or not Ranking
temperature
difference
difference
(INTtoEXT)
• The systems ; traditional roof, slope RCC
(INTtoEXT) with false ceiling, flat RCC with steel truss
Clay tiled wooden roof with wooden Double -3.3m -9 Preferable 2
was proved to be efficient sine it achieved
ceiling room temperature lower than external
temperature
Flat RCC with false ceiling Double -3.6 +16 Intermediate 4

Flat RCC exposed Single +2.1 +10 Not preferable 5

• The RCC with false ceiling is partially
Flat RCC with steel truss Double -6.6 +21 Preferable 1 efficient because it has heat conduction
happening due to low air gap. This can be
Slope RCC with tiles Single +2.3 +6 Not preferable 6 corrected using bigger air gaps as it will
Slope RCC exposed Single +3.6 -9 Not preferable 7
increase the volume of air to be heated.

Slope RCC with tile and ceiling Double -5.5 +13 Preferable 3
• The exposed flat and sloped RCC ,slope
RCC with tiles proved to be inefficient
due to the heat accumulation and
increased humidity leading to thermal
discomfort .
CONCLUSION
PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL AND RCC ROOF SYSTEMS

System Pros Cons

Traditional system • Efficient in temperature control. • Maintenance required is high.

• Low thermal absorptivity • Availability of timber is low.
• Light weight • Lack of skilled carpenters.
• Eco friendly • Construction is time consuming
• Long lasting • Insect attack on wood if not treated well
• Can be reused
• Repair is easy
RCC system • Cost effective • Not efficient in thermal control
• Easy to construct • Repairs can be costly
• Low maintenance • High thermal absorptivity
• Easy availability of raw materials • Heavy
• Durable • Can not be reused
• Fast • Cracks will form if not well constructed
GUIDELINES TO PREVENT RCC FROM HEATING
• Applying a white coating. A good quality coating will • Adding a layer of roof tiles (placed directly on floor of roof)
return solar energy back to the atmosphere. Use of which allow air to circulate under and over, but keep
titanium dioxide containing coatings will help reflect convectional heating of the roof slab to a minimum). This layer
the radiation. Lime wash is a cheaper option. of roof tiles is fragile inherently and roof cannot be used for
• Building another sloped tiled roof on current flat walking, etc.
concrete roof supported on steel columns, in short
words:put up a steel truss without affecting the
aesthetics. There should be enough space between the
roof and the new truss for the space to be useful for • Place solar panels on the roof which prevents from direct
day to day activites like drying clothes, storage, etc sunlight from hitting concrete.
GUIDELINES TO PREVENT RCC FROM HEATING
• Placing potted plants on the roof will prevent sunlight from • Installing a roof garden with soil bed that will isolate the solar
reaching the concrete surface directly. Planting vegetables will radiation from the concrete.
add to the productivity.

• A layer of white marble chips can be laid on top of the roof at least 7cm
thick . This has low absorptivity of heat, better reflectance and more
surface area to dissipate heat.
GUIDELINES TO PREVENT RCC FROM HEATING
• If it's a flat roof and water is available ,put a layer of • White colored metal sheets can be used because of its low thermal
water on top, after waterproofing the roof. It should mass and high reflectivity .although it will absorb heat, it will dissipate
be at least 5cm thick for effective cooling . as soon as the solar radiation stops.

• Place insulation above the false ceiling with an air

gap between the true ceiling and the insulated false • For Slope RCC , the air gap between the layers must be ventilated.
ceiling. Then put ventilation holes in the walls at the This can be done with the use of gable like openings for air flow
height of the gap between the true and false ceilings. between the layers
An exhaust fan can be placed in the holes in the
walls to suck out hot air replacing it with fresh air.
 Conclusion
• The study proves that the double layer roof system is apt for the warm humid climate zone. From the study, it is clear that to
achieve thermal comfort in the warm humid Kerala climate, the heat gain by the building and human body must be minimized
while the heat dissipation from the body must be maximized .

• A connection between the structure and thermal-comfort requirements and the nature of Kerala climate which is reflected in the
climate adaptive construction of the traditional Kerala house was proved during the study. Although the traditional system is
efficient , practical reasons like cost of timber , time of construction etc discourages the usr from using it.

• The reasons for thermal stress are high temperatures, solar radiation and humidity . To achieve climatic comfort in the home,
these factors must be controlled other than controlling rain, insects and other less important natural factors.

• Adequate replacing of air in the roof is a critical factor in dissipating the heat stored in a space. Even if two layers are present, the
layers can conduct heat through air which conducts to the room below resulting in discomfort. The air gaps must be ventilated
rather than sealed .