Andrea Pianella

University of Melbourne | MSD

Australian cities have been slow to implement green roofs. This is because there are many potential barriers to their widely acceptance as a nature based solution that can make cities more liveable and help them adapt to, and mitigate, climate change. Due to significant differences in rainfall, temperature, available substrates and suitable vegetat...

Three experimental green roofs in Melbourne with depth of 100, 150 and 300 mm have been assessed to quantify their thermal performance. To evaluate the benefit of substrate depth, temperature was recorded every 50 mm along a vertical profile. Green roofs consisted of scoria substrate and a mix of three species of plants: Lomandra longifolia, Dianel...

This study analyzed and compared in detail two existing heat and mass transfer models for vegetative roofs, which were developed by Sailor (2008) and Tabares-Velasco and Srebric (2012). The main equations governing the heat transfer through a vegetative roof were compared side by side. Similarities and differences were highlighted. Both models were...

Nearly a quarter of a million of Australia's ageing population live in residential aged care facilities. Given the growing ageing population in Australia, it is important to understand the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of these settings in consideration of not only measurable IEQ data but also senior occupants’ perceived comfort for their heal...

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation—ZEMCH 2016; Direct link: http://www.mdpi.com/books/pdfview/book/636

Green roofs are consistently being used to reduce some of the negative environmental impacts of cities. The increasing interest in extensive green roofs requires refined studies on their design and operation, and on the effects of their relevant parameters on green roof thermal performance. The effects of two design parameters, substrate thickness...

The growing interest in extensive green roofs prompts more refined studies on green roof design and operation. To assist in the design, installation and operation of green roofs, the effects of design and operating parameters on green roof thermal performance need to be fully understood. The effects of two design parameters: substrate thickness (ST...

In Australia, there is an increasing interest in using extensive green roofs to make buildings more sustainable and provide a number of social, ecological, aesthetic and thermal benefits to cities. The potential of green roofs to reduce building energy consumption has been extensively studied overseas in a variety of different climates. However, in...

There has been growing interest in using extensive green roofs for commercial and residential buildings in urban areas. Green roofs provide many benefits, including adding an additional insulation layer. The potential of this benefit depends on many factors, including the thermal properties of the green roof substrate. Thermal conductivity values o...

A technique based on the heat flow meter method is proposed for measuring the thermal conductivity of moist earthen and granular loose-fill materials. Although transient methods have become popular, this steady-state approach offers an uncertainty that can be reliably estimated and a test method that is widely accepted for building certification pu...