Assessment of daylight uniformity ratio in the classroom with light shelves: The case of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Patna.

Many types of research had shown that daylight is crucial for the classroom as it saves energy, reduces the consumption of fossil fuel, and increases the productivity and writing, and reading speed of the students. Daylight in the classroom is measured by different metrics like Static, Dynamic, and Distribution. Daylight Uniformity ratio falls in the distribution metric category. This uniformity ratio is similarly important as lighting levels as it helps to obtain visual comfort within the classroom as poor daylight uniformity ratio will not only cause glare but will increase the tendency of using artificial lights. This research aims to analyze the impact of the light shelves on the uniformity ratio of the classroom only due to natural light. For the purpose, uniformity ratio (UO) analysis in presence of light shelves was conducted out in the typical classroom of Kendriya Vidyalaya (K.V), Patna of south orientation. A field study was carried out through spontaneous lighting levels to validate the computer simulations for assessing the visual comfort in K.V. The study shows a positive increment in Uniformity ratio after adding the light shelves in the classroom of south orientation; however these increase in Uniformity ratio changes with the respect of sun position, altitude, and orientation. Conclusions about possible modifications can be suggested to achieve a better uniformity ratio in similar types of classrooms within Patna and other areas of which are falling under similar types of climate in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]