Hypothesis & Methodology

Hypothesis 1 - Morrill Hall allows for sufficient light (20 - 25 footcandles) into the workspaces to perform required tasks.

 

Hypothesis 2 - The floors of Morrill Hall that exceed a 10’ floor-to-ceiling height suffer from a heat stratification of at least 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Hypothesis 3 - The single-pane windows are a source of heat transfer (heat gain or loss of 200%)

Methodology

Hypothesis 1

Below are the zones of Morrill Hall that were chosen to be tested for daylighting conditions. These zones were determined from the survey data that was collected. From the given locations that were queried, two of these areas constituted further investigation in regards to adequate daylighting for work related tasks. The remaining study was for comparison purposes. Two zones are located on the North and South faces of the building of the building, while the zone on the fourth floor has only a single aperture facing West.

The thumbnails located beneath each floor plan can be expanded to show a larger diagram of each room and the placement of furniture, windows, and the locations of the light readings.

First Floor		Second Floor		Fourth Floor
F1 - Zone A		F2 - Zone C		F4 - Zone A

 

Hypothesis 2

3 Hobos at a time were placed in five different rooms on each floor of Morrill Hall.  The rooms were on varying sides of the building, with different floor-to-ceiling heights in each.  The Hobos were used to record the temperature  on the floor, the ceiling, and halfway in between to determine what the difference in temperature  is.

The CBE online survey and our own physical survey were used to determine if the occupants of Morrill Hall detected heat stratification, as well as find out if the temperature made them uncomfortable.  Heat stratification could possibly cause the occupants to be uncomfortable, especially if there is at least a 5 degree difference.

Hypothesis 3

Temperature readings were taken at approximately 3:30pm- 4:00pm On Tuesday May 27th, 2008 with partly cloudy, mostly overcast conditions. The Raytek Minitemp was used to take temperature readings. I used a white sheet of paper to bounce temperature readings off of for surfaces that were exposed to sunlight, or were otherwise difficult to get a consistent reading from (such as the temperatures outside).

First I got temperature readings from all four sides of the building; North, South, East and West. Next I went inside Morrill Hall, and took average room temperature readings from inside each room I visited. Lastly, I took temperature readings from the lower corner of selected windows in each room. AC units that were on have been noted.

North	South	East	West
71.0 Degrees (F.)	73.0 Degrees (F.)	67.0 Degrees (F.)	72.0 Degrees (F.)

 

Click image to enlarge.