Automated support for experimental approaches in daylighting performances assessment

Abstract

The study of daylight and solar reflection has been a topic of increasing interest over the past two decades. A novel mechanical support has been constructed to help better understand this topic that consists of a five foot in diameter circular table driven to rotate and tilt by computer controlled motors. The first use of this machine is to conduct shadow studies on architectural models. Using the tilt and rotation axis concurrently, a model can be rotated through a path that emulates the sun throughout the course of a day. The second use of the machine is to measure the solar flux emitted from and transmitted through a sample at different angles of incidence. An elliptical shell will be cut in half and secured to the table with focal points A and B. The incoming light will shine on or through the sample placed at focal point A, bounce off of the reflective inside of the shell, then be redirected into a camera placed at focal point B. Two cameras will be used to measure the visible and infrared spectra of the reflected light.