Assessing the Influence of Environmental Challenges on Achieving Thermal Comfort in Buildings in India

Abstract

The research focuses on design recommendations for specific climatic conditions with an aim is to assess the diverse environmental challenges in India and the effectiveness of sustainable design strategies in enhancing thermal comfort. It includes evaluating the impact of climate change on building design, assessing the outcomes through simulation, and suggesting improvements based on practical implications. The literature review explores the evolving definition of climate change and its wide-ranging impacts. It establishes the interconnected events resulting from long-term alterations in the Earth's climate system, emphasizing the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation. The impact of environmental challenges on building design is discussed, highlighting the effects of extreme heat, increased energy costs, and infrastructure vulnerability. The research design outlines the methodology, data collection, analysis, and simulation process. The study focuses on seven cities in India, employing the Koeppen Climate Classification system. The chapter on passive and active design strategies delves into the impact of climate change on these strategies, emphasizing the need for adaptive measures. The subsequent chapters detail the data collection methodology and present a case study of a residential building in Jodhpur. The data analysis has been done on Autodesk Ecotect to scrutinize heating and cooling loads, temperature distribution, and temperature change. Findings reveal seasonal patterns and warming trends, highlighting the need for sustainable design interventions. The proposed outcomes suggest adaptive design strategies, building envelope enhancements, and climate-responsive operational practices to address climate change challenges. The outcomes anticipate a transformative reduction in energy consumption and improved thermal resilience. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable building design and climate adaptation in India. The findings provide actionable recommendations for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on building thermal comfort in the Indian context.