With a focus on dynamic facades and overall building energy efficiency, this project resulted in a shading device that implements the use of a shape memory alloy, specifically Nitinol, to directly respond to solar heat. To evaluate the concept, a prototype was constructed and tested, forces were calculated, and energy modeling software was used to calculate the energy savings in comparison to an unshaded baseline. The result was an energy and user independent functioning shading device that effectively lowered annual energy consumption that is comparable to other types of fixed shading yet offers a new responsive effect on the architectural impact of a structure.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Johannes, Katherine E.
• Jones, Stephanie Alison
• Reyes, Sofia
• Gauthier, Faye L.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121119-140848

Advisor

• Van Dessel, Steven
• Farzinmoghadam, Mohamad
• Albano, Leonard D.

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-12-11

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Architectural Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright