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Using building information modelling to optimise design quality of natural lighting in Iraqi school buildings

Open Access
|Apr 2024

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1:

The research methodology. LEED v4, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design.
The research methodology. LEED v4, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design.

Fig. 2:

The plan layout of the studied school building (case study).
The plan layout of the studied school building (case study).

Fig. 3:

Revit model of school building (as case study).
Revit model of school building (as case study).

Fig. 4:

School building orientation and sun path (case study).
School building orientation and sun path (case study).

Fig. 5:

School building GRC façade (3D Revit model).
School building GRC façade (3D Revit model).

Fig. 6:

Natural lighting distribution simulation results obtained with the use of Revit (Insight plug-in).
Natural lighting distribution simulation results obtained with the use of Revit (Insight plug-in).

Fig. 7:

Natural lighting distribution simulation results using Revit (Insight plug-in) after modification of windows’ sizes.
Natural lighting distribution simulation results using Revit (Insight plug-in) after modification of windows’ sizes.

Fig. 8:

Natural daylight availability percentage according to LEED v4 threshold. LEED v4, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design.
Natural daylight availability percentage according to LEED v4 threshold. LEED v4, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design.

Fig. 9:

Natural daylight availability percentage according to basic layout design.
Natural daylight availability percentage according to basic layout design.

Fig. 10:

Natural daylight availability percentage after window dimension modification.
Natural daylight availability percentage after window dimension modification.

Fig. 11:

Revit rendering of natural lighting of classroom C2, for window dimensions: (A) 1.40 m x 1.20 m and (B) 1.90 m x 1.70 m; an increase of 92% is performed in the area.
Revit rendering of natural lighting of classroom C2, for window dimensions: (A) 1.40 m x 1.20 m and (B) 1.90 m x 1.70 m; an increase of 92% is performed in the area.

Fig. 12:

Revit rendering of natural lighting of teachers’ water closet, for the window dimensions: (A) 0.50 m x 0.90 m and (B) 1.50 m x 1.00 m; an increase of 422% is performed in the area.
Revit rendering of natural lighting of teachers’ water closet, for the window dimensions: (A) 0.50 m x 0.90 m and (B) 1.50 m x 1.00 m; an increase of 422% is performed in the area.

Daylight illuminance values (after modification of window dimensions)_

Classroom No.Area (m2)Windows’ properties (modified)New daylight illuminance (Lux)Illuminance percentage increased (%)Compliance with LEED v4 requirements
L (m)H (m)Increased percentage of window area (%)
Assiss. room 116.792.301.9073.4745.1159.13Within 300–3,000 Lux
Assiss. room 216.792.301.9073.4745.1159.16Within 300–3,000 Lux
C139.184.101.9054.6630.8147.99Within 300–3,000 Lux
C1139.184.101.9054.6574.7345.04Within 300–3,000 Lux
C1235.054.101.9054.6554.7942.49Within 300–3,000 Lux
C1037.524.101.9054.6525.8539.98Within 300–3,000 Lux
Teachers’ room42.874.101.9054.6510.0540.56Within 300–3,000 Lux
C339.434.101.9054.6357.4520.14Within 300–3,000 Lux
C739.434.101.9054.6354.3348.81Within 300–3,000 Lux
C542.874.101.9054.6342.9844.29Within 300–3,000 Lux
C639.434.101.9054.6342.4044.97Within 300–3,000 Lux
C442.874.101.9054.6328.6341.70Within 300–3,000 Lux
C239.481.701.9092.2312.5145.70Within 300–3,000 Lux
W.C. teachers53.550.900.500301.20347.88Within 300–3,000 Lux
1.001.90422
C839.964.101.9054.681.2469.57<300 Lux
School’s shop53.074.101.9054.661.0337.45<300 Lux
C939.484.101.9054.659.8839.22<300 Lux
Supervisor room39.484.101.9054.645.5013.13<300 Lux
Headmaster room39.964.101.9054.635.9310.52<300 Lux
Main hall173.524.101.90New window22.161.93<300 Lux
W.C. students39.480.900.50017.120.00<300 Lux

Points for daylight floor area – sDA for schools, LEED v4 (Elkhapery et al_ 2021)_

sDA (for regularly occupied floor area)Points
55%2
75%3

Daylight illuminance values according to the simulation results_

Classroom No.Area (m2)Windows’ propertiesDaylight illuminance (Lux)Compliance with LEED v4 requirements
L (m)H (m)Orien.Nr./room
Assiss. room 116.791.801.40South1468.23Within 300–3,000 Lux
Assiss. room 216.791.801.40South1468.14Within 300–3,000 Lux
C139.183.601.40South1426.24Within 300–3,000 Lux
C1139.183.601.40East1396.25Within 300–3,000 Lux
C1235.053.601.40East1389.35Within 300–3,000 Lux
C1037.523.601.40East1375.66Within 300–3,000 Lux
Teachers’ room42.873.601.40East1362.87Within 300–3,000 Lux
C339.433.601.40South1297.53<300 Lux
C739.433.601.40West1238.11<300 Lux
C542.873.601.40West1237.70<300 Lux
C639.433.601.40West1236.19<300 Lux
C442.873.601.40West1231.92<300 Lux
C239.481.201.40South1214.49<300 Lux
C839.963.601.40North167.25<300 Lux
School’s shop53.073.601.40West847.91<300 Lux
C939.483.601.40North144.40<300 Lux
Supervisor room39.483.601.40S/W143.01<300 Lux
Headmaster room39.963.601.40S/W140.22<300 Lux
Main hall173.52----32.51<300 Lux
W.C. students39.480.900.50S/W121.74<300 Lux
W.C. teachers53.550.900.50East417.12<300 Lux
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/otmcj-2024-0004 | Journal eISSN: 1847-6228 | Journal ISSN: 1847-5450
Language: English
Page range: 52 - 62
Submitted on: Oct 6, 2022
Accepted on: May 23, 2023
Published on: Apr 15, 2024
Published by: University of Zagreb
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 times per year

© 2024 Ahmed Saad Ali Al-Rudainy, Ahmed Mohammed Raoof Mahjoob, published by University of Zagreb
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.