Precision Daylight and Thermal Modelling of Shading Devices

The focus of this thesis is the performance modelling of shading devices with regard to daylight illumination and thermal effect in non-domestic buildings - offices, classrooms - based on real time-varying conditions. The research is centred in quantifying the impact of external shading devices on energy demand for electric lighting, heating and cooling. The Unix-based Radiance lighting simulation program as the engine, and a nodal thermal model processing irradiation inputs, have been used. An adaptation of suitable calculation approaches and the development of custom-written data analysis programs have been also performed on this behalf.