First Advisor

Graig Spolek

Date of Publication

1-1-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Language

English

Subjects

Green roofs (Gardening), Evaporative cooling, Soil moisture

DOI

10.15760/etd.125

Physical Description

1 online resource (vii, 57 p.) : col. ill.

Abstract

This study focuses on how green roof thermal performance is affected by the soil moisture in summer condition. It aims to determine whether moist soil is a better insulator during the summer months than dry soil. A soil model is developed to predict simultaneous conduction, convection, and surface evaporation for a layer of moist soil representing a green roof. It used to analyze evaporation process and its affect on the soil resistance. The model considers only bare soil without vegetation on the roof. The model predicts the soil surface temperature as it is affected by soil moisture content, which can then be used to calculate heat transfer through the soil layer. An experimental dry out test was conducted to measure the soil moisture and soil temperature histories. Comparison of the predicted and measured sol surface temperature shows that the model reasonably captures the actual behavior. The evaporative cooling effectively reduces the soil surface temperature and heat flux in moist soil and can be used as an effective way to insulate the roof.

Rights

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Comments

Portland State University. Dept. of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/6934

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