Tropical Architecture Trivia Quiz

Passive cooling refers to a cooling system that relies on the design and construction of a building to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. It does not require the use of any mechanical or electrical components. Instead, it utilizes natural ventilation, shading, insulation, and thermal mass to regulate the temperature. This approach is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly as it reduces the reliance on active cooling systems such as air conditioning.

Precipitation refers to the total amount of rain, hail, snow, and dew that is measured in rain gauges and expressed in millimeters per unit time (day, month, year). It is the term used to describe any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. This can include rain, snow, sleet, or even hail. Precipitation is an important factor in determining the overall climate and weather patterns of a region, as it directly affects the availability of water for plants, animals, and human populations.

The explanation for the correct answer, "Chimney effect," is that it refers to the tendency of air or gas in a vertical space, such as a shaft or chimney, to rise when heated. This rising motion creates a draft that draws in cooler air or gas from below. The chimney effect is commonly observed in chimneys, where the heated air inside rises and creates a suction force that pulls in air from the surrounding environment. This phenomenon is also utilized in ventilation systems to promote air circulation and cooling.

The correct answer is SW because the question asks for the direction of the Habagat wind. Habagat is the local name for the southwest monsoon wind in the Philippines. Therefore, the wind direction of Habagat is southwest.

The correct answer is NE because Amihan is the northeast monsoon in the Philippines. It is characterized by cool and dry winds coming from the northeast direction. Therefore, the wind direction of Amihan is northeast.

The annual mean temperature is calculated by taking the average of the highest and lowest temperatures. In this case, the highest temperature is 37oC and the lowest temperature is 16oC. To find the average, we add these two temperatures together and divide by 2. 37 + 16 = 53, and 53 divided by 2 is 26.5. Therefore, the annual mean temperature is 26.5 oC.

The phenomenon described in the question is known as the "urban heat island." Urban areas tend to have higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas due to factors such as the abundance of concrete and asphalt, lack of vegetation, and increased energy use. These factors contribute to the absorption and retention of heat, creating a localized heat island effect in urban areas.

As height above the ground increases, wind speed tends to increase. This is because at higher altitudes, there is less friction from the Earth's surface, allowing the wind to flow more freely and at a higher speed. The decrease in friction allows the wind to accelerate, resulting in an increase in wind speed.

The term "integration in time" suggests that the answer is related to the long-term patterns and trends of weather conditions in a specific geographical location. Climate refers to the average weather patterns, including temperature, precipitation, and other factors, that are observed over a long period of time. Therefore, climate is the correct answer as it encompasses the idea of integrating weather conditions over time in a specific location.

Building fabric refers to the materials and construction used in a building, including thermal insulation, surface qualities, shading, and sun control. It encompasses the physical elements that make up the building envelope, such as walls, floors, roofs, and windows. The design of the building fabric plays a crucial role in determining the energy efficiency, comfort, and overall performance of a building.

Fenestration refers to the design variables related to windows, including their size, position, orientation, and the materials used for the window glass. It also includes external and internal shading devices that can affect the amount of sunlight and heat entering a building. Fenestration plays a crucial role in determining the amount of natural light, ventilation, and solar heat gain in a building, which can impact energy efficiency, comfort, and overall building performance.

The building envelope serves as a climatic mesh that filters the outside environment to create a proper and comfortable indoor environment. It includes various components such as walls, windows, roofs, and doors that separate the interior from the exterior. These components help to control the flow of heat, light, and air, ensuring energy efficiency and thermal comfort within the building. The building envelope also plays a crucial role in protecting the structure from external elements such as rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Overall, it is an essential aspect of building design and construction.

A hygrometer is an instrument used for measuring relative humidity. It is specifically designed to measure the amount of moisture present in the air. Unlike a thermometer, which measures temperature, a hygrometer focuses on the humidity levels. It can provide accurate readings of the relative humidity, allowing for better understanding and control of the moisture content in the air. Other instruments listed, such as a vane anemometer and pyranometer, are used for measuring wind speed and solar radiation respectively, and are not directly related to measuring relative humidity.

Azimuth refers to the angle of the position of the sun along the horizon, measured to the east or west from true south. It indicates the direction in which the sun is located relative to a specific point on the horizon. This angle is often used in navigation, astronomy, and solar energy systems to determine the position of the sun at a particular time and location.

Solar radiation refers to the energy emitted by the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves. It can be measured using a pyranometer, which measures the irradiance or the amount of solar radiation received on a surface per unit area. The measurement can be recorded either as continuously varying irradiance or integrated over a specific time period, such as an hour of the day. Therefore, solar radiation is the correct answer in this context.

The major thermal design factors that need to be studied include conduction heat flow, solar heat gain, and ventilation heat flow. These factors directly impact the heat transfer within a space and play a crucial role in determining the overall thermal comfort and energy efficiency of a building. However, outdoor conditions are not considered a major thermal design factor as they are uncontrollable and cannot be altered or designed. Therefore, outdoor conditions are the exception among the listed factors.

The correct answer is "Cold climate." A cold climate is characterized by a lack of heat or excessive heat dissipation for most parts of the year. This means that the temperature in this climate is typically colder than in other climates, and there may be long periods of cold weather or even freezing temperatures. This type of climate is often found in regions near the poles or at high altitudes, where the sun's rays are less intense and heat is not retained as easily.

In tropical regions, relative humidities are typically high rather than low. This is because tropical regions are characterized by high temperatures and abundant moisture, leading to high levels of humidity. Therefore, the statement that relative humidities in tropical regions are very low is not true.

The statement "Transitional spaces require total climatic control and natural ventilation is not sufficient" is not true. Transitional spaces in tropical zones are typically located on the north and south sides of the building where the sun's penetration is not as great, and therefore, natural ventilation is often sufficient for these areas. Total climatic control is not necessary for transitional spaces in tropical regions.

Conduction is the correct answer because it refers to the flow of heat through a material by transfer from warmer to cooler molecules in contact with each other. This process occurs when there is direct contact between the molecules of the material, allowing heat to be transferred through molecular collisions. Conduction is a common method of heat transfer in solids and is responsible for the transfer of heat within objects or between objects in direct contact.

The given explanation states that overheating is not as great in the warm humid area compared to other areas. This is because the high humidity restricts evaporation potential, which helps in cooling down the temperature. Additionally, the diurnal temperature variation is small in this area.

The correct answer is ii, iv, vi. These factors, which include topography, vegetation, and the nature of the environment on a local or regional scale, all have an influence on the general climate. Diurnal temperature, movement of air masses, and moisture-bearing clouds are not mentioned in the question as factors that influence the general climate.

The four constituents of climate most important for building design are temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and air movement. These factors directly impact the comfort and energy efficiency of a building. Temperature affects the indoor thermal conditions, humidity affects the moisture levels, solar radiation impacts the amount of heat gain, and air movement affects ventilation and the distribution of temperature and humidity. Cloud cover, nature of the environment, and other factors may also have an influence but are not mentioned as the most important constituents for building design.

Sol-air temperature refers to the temperature of the outside air in contact with a shaded wall or roof that produces the same rate of heat transfer and temperature gradient as the combined effect of solar radiation and air temperature. It takes into account both the solar radiation and the air temperature, providing a more accurate measurement of the heat transfer and temperature conditions on a surface. This term is commonly used in building and energy analysis to assess the thermal performance of buildings and to determine the impact of solar radiation on the building envelope.

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluid, such as air or water. In this process, heat is transferred from one place to another as the fluid moves and carries the heat energy with it. Unlike conduction, which is the transfer of heat through direct contact, convection relies on the movement of the fluid to transfer heat. Therefore, convection is the most appropriate explanation for the transfer of heat from one place to another by the flow of molecules.

Conductivity is the correct answer because it refers to the rate of heat transfer that occurs through a unit thickness of material for a unit area subjected to a unit difference in temperature. Conductivity is a measure of how well a material conducts heat, with higher conductivity values indicating better heat transfer capabilities.

As the percentage opening area in walls increases from 0 to 20%, the wind speed also increases rapidly. This is because the larger the opening area, the easier it is for the wind to pass through, resulting in higher wind speeds. At 20% opening area, there is enough space for the wind to flow more freely, causing an increase in wind speed.

Tropical architecture is adapted to hot and humid climates, so steeply pitched roofs to shed heavy snow are not a typical feature. Instead, tropical buildings often have large windows, open floor plans, natural materials, and overhanging eaves to maximize ventilation, shade, and cooling.

A heat sink is a cool mass that is used to absorb excess heat. It can include water bodies, the ground, and massive building materials. Heat sinks are commonly used in cooling systems to dissipate heat and prevent overheating. They work by absorbing the heat from a heat source and then releasing it into the surrounding environment. This helps to maintain a stable temperature and prevent damage to equipment or systems.

Altitude refers to the angle of the sun above the horizon, measured from the horizon. This means that altitude represents the height of the sun in the sky at a given time. It is an important factor in determining the position of the sun and can be used to calculate various astronomical and navigational parameters.

In warm humid tropics, the maximum solar heat factor for walls is 4%. This means that only 4% of the solar heat that hits the walls is absorbed, while the remaining 96% is reflected or transmitted. This is important in hot and humid climates as it helps to reduce the amount of heat that is transferred into the building, keeping it cooler and reducing the need for excessive air conditioning.

The maximum solar heat factor for roofs in warm humid tropics is 3%. This means that only 3% of the solar heat that hits the roof is transferred into the building. This low percentage indicates that the roof has a high reflectivity and insulation properties, which helps to keep the interior of the building cool and reduces the need for air conditioning. This is particularly important in warm humid tropics where the climate is hot and humid throughout the year.

The wind shadow refers to the area behind a building where the wind speed is reduced due to the obstruction caused by the building. The height of the building, including the pitched roof, determines the size of the wind shadow. In this case, the wind shadow will be 5 times the height of the building.