Guidelines for selecting the type of curtain wall for energy conservation or reducing the impact of solar energy in high-rise buildings. A case study of an office building with a height of 25 floors or more in the Bangkok Metropolitan area

Abstract

This research presents a study of the impact of solar energy on various types of large glass (curtain wall) in high-rise office buildings. The study considered data from interviews with designers from 4 leading companies that had designed 4 projects of office buildings over 25 floors in Bangkok Metropolitan. The study aims to identify the impact of using different types of glass, both within and below the legal criteria, in terms of energy conservation, according to the minimum energy efficiency standards using the Building Energy Code (BEC). The researcher used a testing method by simulating the values of energy-saving prototype buildings and using the glass properties in the types as alternatives to test the efficiency and value when comparing the efficiency and price. This allows building owners or designers, both architects and engineers, to consider the glass that is suitable for resisting heat from solar radiation. They can select glass with good efficiency at a reasonable price according to the construction cost structure that the project owner has planned in advance. The research results provide criteria for determining the glass type by experimenting with OTTV calculations in the BEC web base program, referring to the calculated values and displaying them in graphs to show the comparison of both energy conservation values and the cost of large glass walls. The results of the study from the tested glass found that the OTTV value in Group 2, the insulated glass type, The thickness of the front glass panel is 6 mm. + air gap of 12 mm. + the thickness of the back glass panel is 6 mm. It has a moderate energy saving value and the cost not too high. It also meets the energy saving requirements. However, when using the summary data, architects or engineers designer, in addition to considering the energy saving value and price, should also consider the current regulations and laws that have added requirements by the outer glass panel must not fall down and be a danger to people walking outside below. Therefore, architects need to consider the curtain wall according to the efficiency value from Group 3 (the group with laminated glass on the outer panel) and select the type with a price that is appropriate for the budget from the group. This will be used to conclude the design to pass the energy conservation criteria as specified by law and within the project budget.