A study of reducing heat loads on tents due to solar insolation

The problem of heat transfer through the textile fabrics of tents due to solar radiation and ambient temperature variations is dealt with. This study is motivated by the extensive use of tents during Muslim pilgrimages when 2 million people live in tents (250000 tents) near Makkah (latitude 21° 29′) in Saudi Arabia, during extremely hot weather. The heat transfer rate due to combined solar insolation and ambient temperature variations is considered for a typical tent. The analysis is performed for periodic established and quasi-steady-state conditions. In search of passive means to reduce the heat rate, the direct beam solar radiation is eliminated by a canvas canopy. Experiments have been performed with a canopied east-facing attic-type roof, which showed that this simple arrangement reduces the daily heat rate by 46–49% for days with clear skies.