Tropical Climate

TROPICAL CLIMATE
 The Köppen climate classification scheme divides climates

into five main climate groups:
A. (TROPICAL),
B. (DRY),
C. (TEMPERATE),
D. (CONTINENTAL), AND
E. (POLAR)
WORLDWIDE CLIMATE CLASSIFICATIONS
1st 2nd 3rd DESCRIPTION
f RAINFOREST
m MONSOON
A TROPICAL
w SAVANNA, WET
s SAVANNA, DRY
W DESERT
S STEPPE
B h ARID HOT
k COLD
n MILD
s DRY SUMMER
w DRY WINTER
f WITHOUT DRY SEASON
C TEMPERATE
a HOT SUMMER
b WARM SUMMER
c COLD SUMMER
s DRY SUMMER
w DRY WINTER
f WITHOUT DRY SEASON
D a COLD (CONTINENTAL) HOT SUMMER
b WARM SUMMER
c COLD SUMMER
d VERY COLD WINTER
T TUNDRA
E POLAR
TROPICAL CLIMATE
 A tropical climate in the Köppen climate classification is
a non-arid climate in which all twelve months have
mean temperatures of at least 18 °C (64 °F).
 In tropical climates there are often only two seasons:
1. A wet season
2. A dry season
 Tropical climates are frost-free and changes in the solar
angle are small.
 In tropical climates temperature remains relatively
constant (hot) throughout the year.
 Cover the largest area of earth (20% of land surface and
43% of ocean surface) - the home to almost half of the
world ’s population
CLASSIFICATION
• The Basis of classification is given by 3 atmospheric

factors which dominantly influence human comfort –
air , temperate & humidity
• The Tropical regions of earth are divided into 3 major

climatic zones & three sub groups
1. Warm Humid equatorial climate

2. Hot Dry Desert (or) semi desert climate
3. Composite or monsoon climate
WARM HUMID CLIMATE
• These climates are found in belt near equator extending
to about 15ºN & s.
• Colombo,Singapore etc are examples of this climate.
• There is very less seasonal variation throughout the year
.
• Periods of more or less rain & occurrence of gusty winds
& electric storms
• Air Temperature – Shades reaches a max during the day
of between 27 & 32ºc but occasionally it may exceed.
• The mean minimum varies from 21º & 27ºc
• Humidity – Rh(Relative humidity remains high at about
75 % for most of the time but it may vary from 55 to
almost 100 % .
• Vapor pressure is steady from 2500 to 3000 N/m2
WARM HUMID CLIMATE
• Found in a belt near the Equator extending to

about 15º North and South
Examples: Malaysia, Jakarta, Singapore, Hawaii, US

WARM HUMID CLIMATE
1. Precipitation – High through out the year.

2. Annual rainfall can vary from2000 to 5000 mm & may exceed 500
mm .
3. Sky Condition – Fairly cloudy throughout the year . Cloud cover
varies between 60 & 90 % .Skies are usually bright . Solar Radiation –
is partly reflected & partly scattered by cloud blanket but strong
radiation can cause painful sky glare Wind Velocities – are typically
low, calm periods are forewent but strong winds can occur during
rainfall
4. Vegetation : Grown quickly due to frequent rains & high
temperature & it is difficult to control the red or brown laterite soils
are generally poor for agriculture .
5. Special Characteristics – High humidity accelerates mould & algal
growth rusting & rotting .Organic buildings materials tend to decay
rapidly Mosquitoes and other insects abound . The thunder storms
are accompanied by frequent air – to air electrical discharges
HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE
These climates occur in two belts at latitudes between

approximately 15 & 30ºnorth & south of the equator .
Example's : Assuan Baghdad,Alice springs & phoenix
Two marked seasons occur :a hot & a somewhat cooler
period
1. Air Temperature : DBT in shade rises quickly after
sunrise to day time mean maximum temperature
ranged from 27 to 32ºc . Night time mean minima
between 24 & 30ºc in hot season & between 10 & 18º
in cool season .The diurnal range is very great 17 to
22º
2. Humidity : RH varies from 10 to 55 % as wet
depression is large (rapid evaporation) .Vapor pressure
is normally between 750 & 1500 N /m2
LOCATIONS OF HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE
LOCATIONS OF HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE
• Precipitation : Slight & variable throughout the year, from 50
to 155 mm per annum ,Flash storms may occur over limited
areas but some regions may not have rains for several years .
• Sky Conditions : Normally Clear .Clouds are few due to low
humidity of the air . The sky is usually dark blue , with a
luminance of 700 to 2500 cd/m2 & further darkened dust or
sand storms may occur
• Solar Radiation : Direct & strong during the day , but the
absence of cloud permits easy release of hear stored during
day time
• Winds : are usually local .Heating of air over hot ground
cause a temperature inversion
• Vegetation : is sparse & difficult to maintain humidity . The
soil is usually dusty & very dry. Soils dries quickly after rain &
would generally be fertile if irrigated
COMPOSITE OR MONSOON CLIMATE
• These climates usually occur in large land masses near tropics of

cancer & Capricorn which are sufficiently far from equator to
experience seasonal changes in solar radiation & wind direction
Examples : Lahore ,Mandalay, New Delhi
• Two seasons occur normally .Approximately 2/3rds of the year is hot

dry & other third is warm humid. Localities further north & south
often have a third season but described as cool dry
LOCATIONS OF COMPOSITE OR MONSOON CLIMATE
• Humidity i.e. RH : Is low throughout the dry periods at 20 to 55 % with a
vapor pressure of 1300 to 1600 N/m2.Durin wet period it rises to 55 to
95 %
• Precipitation : Monsoon rains are intense & continued for a long time
occasionally 25 to 38 mm can fall in an hour. Annual rainfall varies from
500 to 1300 mm with 200 to 250 mm wettest month. There Is little rain
during dry seasons
• Sky conditions :Markedly vary with the seasons .The sky is heavily
overcast & dull during monsoons & clear with dark blue color in dry
seasons
• Solar Radiation : Alternated between conditions found in warm humid &
hot dry desert climates
• Winds : are hot & dusty during dry period .Monsoon winds are fairly
strong & steady
• Vegetation : Hot dry region has brown & red barren ground which
changes rapidly with the rain .Plants grow quickly. There is a risk of soil
erosion during monsoon
• Special Characteristics : Seasonal changes in relative humidity cause
rapid weakening of building materials .Dust & Sand storms may occur
GENERAL DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
• The general recommendations based on climatic requirements
Hot and Dry Climate

• The hot and dry climate is characterized by very high radiation levels and
ambient temperatures, accompanied by low relative humidity.
• Therefore, it is desirable to keep the heat out of the building, and if possible,
increase the humidity level.
The design objectives accordingly are:

(A) Resist heat gain by:
• Decreasing the exposed surface
• Increasing the thermal resistance
• Increasing the thermal capacity
• Increasing the buffer spaces
• Decreasing the air-exchange rate during daytime
• Increasing the shading
(B) Promote heat loss by:
• Ventilation of appliances
• Increasing the air exchange rate during cooler parts of the day or night-time
• Evaporative cooling (e.g. roof surface evaporative cooling)
• Earth coupling (e.g. earth-air pipe system)
SITE
(a) Landform:
• Regions in this zone are generally flat, hence the surrounding areas tend to heat up
uniformly.
• In case of an undulating site, constructing on the leeward side of the slope is
preferred so that the effect of hot dusty winds is reduced.
• In case ventilation is assured, then building in a depression is preferable as cool air
tends to sink in valleys
(b) Water bodies:
• Water bodies such as ponds and lakes not only act as heat sinks, but can also
be used for evaporative cooling.
• Hot air blowing over water gets cooled which can then be allowed to enter
the building.
• Fountains and water cascades in the vicinity of a building aid this process
(c) Street width and orientation:
• Streets must be narrow so that they cause mutual shading of

buildings.
• They need to be oriented in the north-south direction to block solar
radiation.
(d) Open spaces and built form:
• Open spaces such as courtyards and atria are beneficial as they

promote ventilation.
• In addition, they can be provided with ponds and fountains for
evaporative cooling.
• Courtyards act as heat sinks during the day and radiate the heat back
to the ambient at night.
• The size of the courtyards should be such that the mid-morning and
the hot afternoon sun are avoided.
• Grass can be used as ground cover to absorb solar radiation and aid
evaporative cooling.
• Earth-coupled building can help lower the temperature and also
deflect hot summer winds.
ORIENTATION AND PLANFORM
• An east-west orientation (i.e. longer axis along the east-west), should be preferred.
• This is due to the fact that south and north facing walls are easier to shade than east
and west walls.
• It may be noted that during summer, it is the north wall which gets significant exposure
to solar radiation in most parts of India, leading to very high temperatures in north-west
rooms.
• For example, in Jodhpur, rooms facing north-west can attain a maximum temperature
exceeding 38 ºC.
• Hence, shading of the north wall is imperative.
• Cross-ventilation must be ensured at night as ambient temperatures during this period
are low.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
1. Roof:
• The diurnal range of temperature being large, the ambient night
temperatures are about 10 ºC lower than the daytime values and are
accompanied by cool breezes.
• Hence, flat roofs may be considered in this climate as they can be used for
sleeping at night in summer as well as for daytime activities in winter.
• The material of the roof should be massive; a reinforced cement concrete
(RCC) slab is preferred to asbestos cement (AC) sheet roof.
• External insulation in the form of mud phuska with inverted earthen pots is
also suitable.
• A false ceiling in rooms having exposed roofs can help in reducing the
discomfort level
2. Walls:
• In multi-storeyed buildings, walls and glazing account for most of the heat
gain.
• It is estimated that they contribute to about 80% of the annual cooling
load of such buildings
• The control of heat gain through the walls by shading is an important
consideration in building design.
3. Fenestration:
• In hot and dry climates, minimizing the window area (in terms of glazing)
can definitely lead to lower indoor temperatures.
• More windows should be provided in the north facade of the building as
compared to the east, west and south as it receives lesser radiation during
the year
• All openings should be protected from the sun by using external shading
devices such as chajjas and fins
• Moveable shading devices such as curtains and venetian blinds can also
be used.
• The use of ‘jaalis’(lattice work) made of wood, stone or RCC may be
considered as they allow ventilation while blocking solar radiation.
• The heat gain through windows can be reduced by using glass with low
transmissivity.
4. Colour and texture:
• Change of colour is a cheap and effective technique for lowering indoor
temperatures.
• Colours having low absorptivity should be used to paint the external surface.
• Darker shades should be avoided for surfaces exposed to direct solar radiation.
• The surface of the roof can be of white broken glazed tiles (china mosaic
flooring).
• The surface of the wall should preferably be textured to facilitate self shading.

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TROPICAL CLIMATE

 The Köppen climate classification scheme divides climates

• The Basis of classification is given by 3 atmospheric

• The Tropical regions of earth are divided into 3 major

1. Warm Humid equatorial climate

• Found in a belt near the Equator extending to

Examples: Malaysia, Jakarta, Singapore, Hawaii, US

1. Precipitation – High through out the year.

These climates occur in two belts at latitudes between

• These climates usually occur in large land masses near tropics of

• Two seasons occur normally .Approximately 2/3rds of the year is hot

• The general recommendations based on climatic requirements

Hot and Dry Climate

The design objectives accordingly are:

• Streets must be narrow so that they cause mutual shading of

(d) Open spaces and built form:

• Open spaces such as courtyards and atria are beneficial as they

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