Field Work- Microclimate study @ HCI

Group 5: Hefan, Isaac Yu, Dylan, Kaicheng

Areas that have a concrete surface are generally hotter than areas that have a non-concrete surface.

Hypothesis

Over 2 30-minute periods on the 16th and 17th January , we collected temperature data at various locations within the school campus, taking note of various factors that would have affected the temperature of that location (e.g. Cloud cover, surroundings, surface material etc.)

Overview

The top deck of the Multistory Carpark (MSCP) has a concrete surface. There are many cars along the side of the deck. The area is completely exposed to sunlight and there is hardly any shaded areas.

Area 1 : Multistory Carpark

Temperature day 115 cm above ground:34.6 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground:28.0 degrees

1.5m above ground:34.0 degrees

1.5 m above ground: 27.7 degrees

The garden has a grassy surface with dense vegetation growing on it. There is a concrete path that cuts through the garden. The buildings that surround the garden offer little shade as the garden is constantly exposed to sunlight.

Area 2 : Garden

Temperature day 115 cm above ground: 28.8 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground: 29.3 degrees

1.5 m above ground: 29.0 degrees

1.5m above ground: 27.8 degrees

This open area is mostly made up of concrete. It is surrounded by trees and vegetation that provide some shade. Nearby buildings also shade the area.

Area 3 : Open Space Behind Block C

Temperature day 115 cm above ground: 30.0 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground: 28.2 degrees

1.5 m above ground:30.5 degrees

1.5m above ground: 28.2 degrees

The terraces are a flight of stairs made of concrete. The top of the stairs have nearby trees that provide shade. The bottom area is open and windy.

Area 4 : Terraces

Temperature day 115 cm above ground: 29.6 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground: 28.0 degrees

1.5 m above ground: 29.3 degrees

1.5m above ground: 27.6 degrees

The field is a patch of land that is covered in grass. It is out in the open and has no objects to shade it, it is also very windy.

Area 5 : Field

Temperature day 115 cm above ground: 34.0 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground: 28.8 degrees

1.5 m above ground: 32.3 degrees

1.5m above ground: 28.2 degrees

The running track is made of rubber. It is out in the open and there are no objects to shade it from the sun and thus it is very sunny and windy there.

Area 6 : Running Track

Temperature day 115 cm above ground: 32.7 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground: 29.0 degrees

1.5 m above ground: 31.5 degrees

1.5m above ground: 28.8 degrees

The fountain is surrounded by concrete paths. There are many surrounding buildings but they provide little shade from the sun.

Area 7 : Fountain Area

Temperature day 115 cm above ground: 32.7 degrees

Temperature day 215 cm above ground: 28.2 degrees

1.5 m above ground: 31.5 degrees

1.5m above ground: 28.3 degrees

After collecting the data, we reviewed it and ranked the different parts of HCI from 1 to 7, with 1 being the coolest based on average.

Ranking: Day 1 (16/1/14, 11.30am-12.30pm)

Parts of HCI Ranking

Top floor of MSCP 7

Garden 1

Space between Block C and canteen 3

Terraces 2

Field 6

Running track 4/5

Fountain 4/5

Ranking: Day 2 (17/1/14, 10.30am-11.30am)

Parts of HCI Ranking

Top floor of MSCP 2

Garden 6

Space between Block C and canteen 3

Terraces 1

Field 5

Running track 7

Fountain 4

test part

Day 1: MSCP

(justified: concrete surface, little shelter)

Day 2: track

(justified: little shelter)

Summary

lest part

Day 1: Garden

(justified: plants around to keep area cooler)

Day 2: Terraces

(unjustified: concrete, little shelter at bottom)

Summary

Our hypothesis therefore accepted as overall, places with concrete surfaces had a higher temperature than non-concreted areas. On Day 1, places with concrete grounds such as the MSCP, they were generally hotter than the other places. However, this could also be because the readings were taken at slightly different times. This also resulted in a rather big difference of temperatures at the MSCP

However, our hypothesis can also be rejected as on the second day, the terraces, which has concrete grounds, had generally lower temperatures compared to the other places.

Therefore, we need to take into consideration of more of other factors that affect our results.

Conclusion

Mr Eddie Lau ( resources & guidance)

Biblography:Google. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=TsvfUqvxKam6iAe-tIDoCg&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg. [Last Accessed 21 January 2014].

Thanks to:

Thank you!!