Google meet; zoom meeting

Reference

Francis D.K. Ching: A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (2nd Edition)

Salvan, G. S. Architectural Utilities 3: Lighting & Acoustics
WEEK 10: 8. Fundamentals of Light
8.1 Physics of Light
8.2 Terminology and Definitions
8. 3 Considerations of Lighting Quality
Objectives:
1. Explain the basic principles of light including its properties, behavior, terminology,
and definitions

2. Identify the considerations of Lighting Quality

8.1 Physics of Light

Light is "visually evaluated radiant energy" or more simply, a form of energy which permits us to see. If light is
considered as a wave, similar to a radio wave or an alternating current wave, it has a frequency and a
wavelength. The figure below shows the position of light in the wave spectrum with relation to other wave
phenomena of various frequencies.

From the chart, the longest wavelength light (red) is a much higher frequency than radio and radar, and that
visible light comprises only a very small part of the wave energy spectrum. Color is determined by wavelength.
Starting at the longest wavelengths with red, we proceed through the spectrum of orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo, and violet to arrive at the shortest visible wavelengths (highest frequency)
When a light source produces energy over the entire visible spectrum in approximately equal quantities, the
combination of colored light produces white as is the case with the sun, whereas a source producing energy over
only a small section of the spectrum produces its characteristics colored light. Examples are the blue-green clear
mercury lamp and the yellow sodium lamp.

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If the reflection takes place on a smooth surface such as polished glass or stone it is called specular reflection,
as in figure (a). If the surface is rough, multiple reflection takes place on the many small projections on the
surface, and the light is diffused as in figure (b). Since the reflection factor is a measure of total light reflected, it
does not depend on whether the reflection is specular or diffuse, or a combination of both, as shown in figure (c).
Diffuse transmission takes place through any translucent source such as frosted glass, white glass, milky
plexiglas, tissue paper and so on. This diffusing principle is widely employed in lighting fixture to spread the light
generated by the bulb or tube within the fixture.

8.2 Terminology and Definitions

The candlepower (candela), abbreviated cp (cd), is the unit of luminous intensity. It is analogous to pressure in a
hydraulic system and voltage in an electric system and represents the force that generates the light that we use.
An ordinary wax candle has luminous intensity horizontally of approximately one candlepower (candela), hence
the name. The candlepower and candela have the same magnitude. A candle radiates light equally in all directions.
If we imagine such a source surrounded by a transparent sphere of one foot (meter) radius (see fig. (a) below),
then by definition the amount of luminous energy (flux) emanating from one square foot (meter) of surface on the
sphere is one lumen (lumen) abbreviated Im.

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 Light
- the electromagnetic radiation that is visible.
- Visible spectrum is between Infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
- Varying between violet at 400 nano meters (short )wavelength and Red at 700 nm (long) wave lengths.
- Corresponding to 400 tera hertz and 790 THZ frequencies

 Illumination
-is the process of lighting an object

 Illuminance
- The flux incident on a surface per unit area.

 Flux
- The light emitted by a source such as lamp irrespective of direction. The rate of flow of luminous energy.

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 Lamp
- A generic term for a man made source of radiation in and near the visible portion of the Electromagnetic
spectrum.

 Lumen
- SI unit of luminous flux and is analogous to power.
- It is the rate of flow of luminous energy.
- The flux emitted in unit solid angle (one steradian) by a source of uniform intensity of one candela.
- A 100W lamp emits about 1200 lumens.
- Abbreviation lm,

 Candlepower
-Luminous intensity expressed in candelas.

 Candlepower distribution curve

- A curve on a graph showing the variations of luminous intensity of a light emitting source, relative to
angles.

 Candela
- The SI unit of luminous intensity in a particular direction. Abbreviation cd.
- Candela per square metre:-The SI unit of luminance. -Abbreviation cd- m2

 Foot Candle
- Unit of Illuminace- 1 Lumen distributed over 1Foot Square

 Lux
- The SI unit of illuminance, equal to one lumen per square metre. Abbreviation lx.

 Point Vision
- The mode of vision of a source of light so small that the sensation is determined by its intensity (or point
brilliance) rather than by its size (or angular subtense).

 Photometry
- Science of measuring light

 Reflectance
-A measure of how well light bounces off an object. The ratio of the flux reflected from a surface to the flux
incident on it.

 Reflection
- the process by which flux leaves a surface or medium from the incident side.
-Objects reflect light if they shift the direction of light away from themselves.

 Vision
- Visual perception. The reception of light by the cells in the eye and the brain's evaluation of the information
contained in the light.

 Light Units
-S I International system Metric
-IES Illumination Engineering Society (US Standard)

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 Light Measurement
- can be quoted either in units of illuminance expressed in terms of uniform luminous flux incident per unit
area (lm/m2); or in units of luminance which is the luminous intensity leaving a unit area (cd/m2).

This means there are two approaches to light measurement: one based upon the light incident on a surface,
illuminance; the other based upon the light radiant from a surface, luminance. The illuminance unit is usually
used for lighting design work whereas the luminance unit is commonly used in visual performance studies.

There are two different ways to describe the light producing ability of a source. One is the total luminous flux
or lumens put out by a light source, which may also be expressed in terms of the efficacy of the source,
lumens per watt. The other is the luminous intensity of the source expressed in candelas, which is the
luminous flux per steradian. It is common to rate a lamp in lumens and a luminaire in candelas.

 Steradian
- is a measure of the unit solid angle at the centre of a sphere

 The Concept of Luminance and Brightness

-Brightness refers to the subjective assessment of the intensity of sensation that results from viewing
surfaces or spaces that emit light to the eye.
-This sensation is determined in part by the measurable luminance but also by the conditions of observation
such as the adaptation state of the eye
8. 3 Considerations of Lighting Quality
Quality of lighting is a term used to describe all the factors in a lighting installation not directly concerned with
quantity of illumination.
When the discomfort glare is caused by light sources in the field of vision it is known as direct glare. When the
glare is caused by reflection of light source in a viewed surface it is known as reflected glare or "veiling
reflection."

Direct Glare
Glare by definition produces discomfort and interference with vision. This is a general qualitative statement. To
determine whether a specific lighting situation is producing discomfort glare requires a quantitative examination by
the factors involved. These factors are brightness, size, position of each light source in the field of vision, plus
consideration of surrounding or background brightness. The discomfort effect of a single luminance was
determined to be.
Reflected Glare

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The problem of reflected glare is much more complex than that of direct glare because it involves both the source
and the task and is inherent in the act of seeing. Vision is produced by light being reflected from the object seen.
The object mirrors the source of light in the room

Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Face to face Discussion
Module, case study or research works, exercises, problems sets, quizzes, major exams,
comprehensive reading and memorization.
Online Discussion
Google meet; zoom meeting
Reference

Francis D.K. Ching: A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (2nd Edition)

Salvan, G. S. Architectural Utilities 3: Lighting & Acoustics
WEEK 11: 9. Light Sources and their Characteristics
9. 1 Daylighting
9.2 Characteristics of Outdoor Illumination
9.3 Factors in Interior Daylighting
9.4 Bulb Configurations
Objectives:
1. Explain the factors and sky conditions of outdoor illumination

2. Evaluate the factors of interior daylighting

3. Identify the different bulb configurations

9. 1 Daylighting
The provision of lighting in structures has in recent years been considered an amenity rather than a necessity. As
such its provision has been the province of architecture rather than lighting design. The reasons for this are
clear. Daylight is indeed an amenity. Windows provide visual contact with the outside and the resultant daylight
provides a bright, pleasant, airy ambience. When daylight enters through windows (side lighting, as opposed to
toplighting), its horizontal directivity provides good modeling shadows, minimal veiling reflections, and excellent
vertical surface illumination.
9.2 Characteristics of Outdoor Illumination
(a) FACTORS
The most prominent characteristic of daylight is its variability. Obviously the source of all daylight is the sun. The
level of exterior illumination, at a particular place and time, depends on:
1. Altitude and azimuth (latitude, date, time of day)

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The position of the sun in the sky is expressed in terms of its altitude above the horizon and its azimuth angle.
The latter is defined as its horizontal position angles, measured from the south. Both are normally expressed in
degrees.
2. Weather conditions {cloud, cover, smog)
3. Effects of local terrain (natural and man-made obstructions and reflections).
(b) SKY CONDITIONS
The four basic sky conditions, which can then be used with the specific design approach desired these are:
1. Completely overcast sky
2. Clear sky, without sun
3. Clear sky, with sun
4. Partly cloudy sky
9.3 Factors in Interior Daylighting
a) HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL SURFACES
Since the sky component of daylight enters side fenestration at an angle, it can be resolved into horizontal and
vertical components, as shown in this figure.
(b) WINDOWS DETAILS
The effect of window construction on total fenestration area reduction is often neglected even windows with
narrow mullions and light metal frames have 8 to 10% obstruction, heavy window supports and small glass, lights
can result proportional daylight reduction. Further obstruction readify results from dust accumulation, wired glass,
and mechanical system items such as pipes and ducts inside the room, adjacent to windows.
(c) SURFACE REFLECTIONS
Interior reflections are very important in daylight design. In addition to determining the magnitude of the internally
reflected light component (IRC) within the room, they determine in large measure the eye adaption level. A high
adaptation level is desirable to avoid a sensation of glare when the window and its immediate surround are in the
field of vision. Furthermore, the internally reflected light component contributes largely to the diffuseness of the
room light. With low IRC the sky component of daylight is the essential illuminant, and diffuseness and the room
penetration are reduced floors receive the sky component and should have at least 20 % reflectance. Walls
receive reflected light. Since they are the surfaces seen at normal vision angles, they are responsible for eye
adaptation levels and should have at least 50% reflectance.
(d) GLARE AND HEAT CONTROL
These are among the most difficult problems to overcome in daylighting. The following recommendations will be
helpful:
1. Provide high-reflectance surfaces particularly toward the back of the room where daylight factor is low.
2. Building orientation is the factor that determines which areas are exposed to natural glare end heat extremes.
Bear these facts in mind
(a). Southern exposure receives maximum overall daylight but without the extremes associated with low sun
angles, except at a high latitudes.
(b) . Northern exposure receives minimum daylight and no direct sun. As a result levels are low but relatively
constant throughout the day.

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(c) . East and west exposures receive extremes of light and heat because of low sun angles in early morning and
late afternoon. Heat build-up on west exposure in very cold months can be almost as severe as summer
because of the low sun angle. Furthermore, the low sun angle in the very cold months (winter) makes the sun's
relative motion appear extremely rapid, necessitating, either a fixed a sun control device, or one that is easily and
rapidly adjustable.
3. Provide fixed sunshades on sun exposures at low altitudes; and operable sun control devices on sun
exposures at all latitudes. Vertical devices are effective for low sun angles horizontal at high sun angles. The
latter am also useful to reflect incoming skylight onto the ceiling.
9.4 Bulb Configurations

Self- Assessment

Let us check how well you understood the Light Sources and their Characteristics by doing this activity.
Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted
Face to face Discussion
Module, case study or research works, exercises, problems sets, quizzes, major exams,
comprehensive reading and memorization.
Online Discussion
Google meet; zoom meeting
Reference

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