Simulação microclimática para fins de estudos de conforto ambiental, uma contribuição metodológica para cidades de clima tropical continental

Abstract

Urbanization alters the aerodynamic and radiative properties of the surface, in the thermal properties of the substrate and in the hydraulic properties of the surface and the soil, modifying thus the thermal and radiometric properties of the urban atmosphere. Despite the urbanization process, it is known that, even in densely built urban sites, it is possible, through adequate resources, to create specific microclimates, with more favorable conditions than the surroundings, which is called the oasis effect. These conditions can be intentionally designed, but there is a need to know the climate of the place, in order to instrumentalize the professionals who think the city planning about the appropriate strategies. The urban climate has influence in the outdoor pedestrians’ thermal sensation. The meteorological variables play an important role for people quality life that uses outdoor spaces, especially in cities located in Tropical Continental Climates. Therefore, the elaboration of this work is justified by the need to establish a methodology for characterizing the urban microclimate with a view to environmental comfort studies. As the general objective, to define methodological parameters for the use of ENVI-Met as a tool in environmental comfort studies for a city with a tropical continental climate. The methodology involves three main phases: Survey (microclimatic and spatial); Flux Footprint Prediction; and Simulation. The microclimatic survey was carried out by means of a fixed meteorological station (during the month of April/2017). The footprint defined the area of influence of the data collected by it. The spatial survey was performed through in situ observation and satellite images. The simulation was developed in the ENVI-Met software, for the month studied, in four different scenarios, being: scenario 1: with topography and with simple forcing; scenario 2: with topography and no simple forcing; scenario 3: without topography and with simple forcing, and; Scenario 4: No topography and no simple forcing. In general, the results confirmed the validity of the ENVI-Met model as a microclimatic forecasting tool in the city of Cuiabá, MT. It also responded more accurately to the air temperature variable in the microscale (16meters) and in scenario 4. The thermal comfort analysis of the pedestrian under open sky exposure by the UTCI (Universal Thermal Weather Index) index evidences the effects of acclimatization the conditions of continental tropical climate, increasing the sensation of thermal comfort.