Thermal performance evaluation of domed roofs

Domed roofs have been used in Iran and many other countries to cover large buildings such as mosques, shrines, churches, schools. They have been also employed in other buildings like bazaars or market places in Iran due to their favorable thermal performance. The aim of this research is to study about domed roofs thermal performance in order to determine how they can be helpful in reducing the maximum air temperature of inside buildings during the warm seasons considering all parameters like air flow around them, solar radiation, radiation heat transfer with the sky and the ground as well as some openings on the building. The results of the study show that the thermal performance of the investigated domed roof is better than the building with flat roof, particularly when the dome is covered with glazed tiles. In addition to their aesthetic values, domes covered with glazed tiles have thermal benefits of keeping the inside air of these buildings relatively cool during the summer. Moreover, openings cause passive air flow inside building, which is helpful for human comfort. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.