A Design Chart to Determine the Well Efficiency and the Maximum Spacing of Skylights for Daylighting as a Function of the Skylight Well Width

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to introduce a simple tool for architects, represented by a design chart to find out the skylight well efficiency (WE) and the maximum skylight spacing (x), needed when utilizing top-lighting for daylighting as a function of the skylight well width (w). That would lead to suitable geometry and spacing of skylights inside a given space which directly affects the distribution of daylight, leading to better quality of light. The proposed design chart is used to find the skylight well efficiency (WE) and the maximum skylight spacing (x) of patterned skylights needed for ensuring proper admission and distribution of diffused light, i.e. quantity and quality of daylight. It consists of two parts and both parts consist of a number of graphs combined together, representing the different included variables that affect either the skylight well efficiency (WE), or the maximum skylight spacing (x) with a given skylight well width (w). Those graphs were developed by the author using different formulas except one graph that was previously designed and has been adapted by the author to be combined with the other graphs. 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.