Developing a conceptual model for passive cooling in buildings in the tropics : a study of maritime museum, Galle, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The paper presents an investigation of the performance of thermal mass and night ventilation for passive cooling using a critical case study approach. The conceptual Model is based on literature and a pre-modern building in a historic world heritage site. The building was tested by a field investigation using thermal monitoring and a simulation study of the building. Effectiveness is seen with internal air and operative temperatures moving 5-6 degrees C well below ambient levels which is around 31 degrees C, suggesting efficiency of thermal mass with night ventilation for passive cooling and in reducing needs for operational energy in warm humid climates. The work provides evidence supporting these findings and justifying the conceptual Model.