Computer simulation of solar radiation received by curved roof in hot-arid regions

This paper is part of continuing research aimed at exploring the relationship between the amount of solar radiation received by a curved roof and its geometrical configurations. It seeks better understanding of the solar performance of traditional curved roofs to be well integrated into buildings in developing countries, mainly in hot regions Fig. (1). A number of investigations has been carried out on curved roofs with varying cross-section ratios and orientations to study their solar radiation performances. This paper discusses the variations in Total Hourly Clear Sky Irradiance I(HTSC) W/m2 received by a semicircular curved roof and a flat roof. The geographical latitude of Aswan (23.58oN) has been chosen to represent the hot regions of southern Egypt.