Development of comfort zone charts using the isopleth chart technique

In this paper, the isopleth chart technique is used to develop comfort zone charts. The usefulness of the isopleth technique is demonstrated by applying it to Riyadh's and Jeddah's data. Comfort temperature ranges have been prepared and comfort zone charts have been developed for both cities by applying these ranges to the dry bulb temperature isopleths. Also, the microclimatic characteristics of both cities have been identified by analyzing the dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, relative humidity of air, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation. The analysis shows that the climate of Riyadh can be identified as hot-dry with a desert sub-zone and the climate of Jeddah as hot-dry with a maritime desert sub-zone. Based on these microclimatic characteristics, recommendations are presented for the design of buildings in the Riyadh and Jeddah area which may also be useful in similar climates elsewhere.