Re-discussion and Correction of Shape Coefficient for Residential Buildings

Abstract

As one of the critical concepts in residential energy performance research field, shape coefficient has long been disputed for its validity of evaluating energy consumption. Although suggestions have been brought forward to try to optimize this concept, these proposals still have shortcomings and have not been tested. Based on analysing these existing optimizing proposals, this paper starts from prototype study and summarizes the problems of concept of shape coefficient in terms of definition and relationship with building energy. According to these current issues, the reason for negatively influencing the accuracy of shape coefficient with regard to assessing the building energy consumption is confirmed. By correcting the expression of shape coefficient through inserting a correction factor related to story height, corrected shape coefficient is proposed. Combined with built residential building samples, the corrected and original shape coefficient is contrasted at the macro statistical and micro experimental levels respectively. It is found that the new coefficient has closer correlation with residential building energy performance and is more accurate in evaluating the energy consumption.