Determining the operating regime of buildings based on the type of weather prevailing in different climatic regions of Afghanistan

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the role of climate in the engineering design of buildings and cities. Climate, as a multi-year regime of weather conditions, has a direct impact on the shape, materials, and operation of buildings. In this study, focusing on the climatic conditions of Afghanistan, the relationship between seven types of weather patterns (hot, hot-dry, a bit warm, moderate, a bit cold, cold, and very cold) and four building operation regimes (open, semi-open, closed, and insulated) was analyzed. The research materials and methods included collecting climate data from national and international sources, using meteorological indicators such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation intensity, wind speed, and rainfall, and adapting them to climate-based design criteria. The research method which was used for this study was analytical-descriptive approach and using field studies in different climatic regions of Afghanistan. To analyze the data, a comparative comparison between climatic conditions and construction needs was used, and correlation tables between weather type and operation regime were extracted.

The finding of this research shows that by choosing appropriate operating regime based on climate type, it is possible to improve the thermal comfort of residents, save energy consumption, and increase the lifespan of buildings. The finding can provide a scientific basis for urban planning, sustainable building design, and energy consumption optimization in Afghanistan and similar regions.