Energy-saving optimization based on residential building orientation and shape with multifactor coupling in the Tibetan areas of western Sichuan, China

Following field-based research and testing of residential buildings in Tibetan areas of western Sichuan, this study studied the interactions between and dynamic effects of geographic and meteorological elements. By quantifying the combined influence of geographical and meteorological elements on building orientation, the concept of the total orientation-based mean temperature difference was introduced, and a method for obtaining the optimum building orientation was provided based on an equation for calculating the average temperature difference by orientation. By quantifying the coupled influence of geographical and meteorological elements on building shape, an approach for optimizing building shape designs based on an equation for calculating the optimal building width was created. We found that a linear expression cannot be used to describe the quantitative relationship between the average indoor temperature and building orientation. When the horizontal solar radiation intensity was <= 6.44 MJ/m(2) d, the primary consideration in building design was the shape coefficient. When the horizontal solar radiation intensity was >6.44 MJ/m(2) d, the building width was the main evaluation index, and the shape coefficient was the auxiliary index. Based on the above findings, we propose a design scheme for optimizing the orientation and shape of buildings in major cities in western Sichuan.