Climatic zoning of Shahrood city based on windbreak location indices and parameters affecting thermal comfort

The purpose of this study is to locate windbreaks in Shahrood city with respect to climatic zoning and thermal comfort. This research is applied in terms of purpose. First, by examining the theoretical foundations, the initial list of indicators affecting the location of windbreaks was prepared and reviewed and approved by Delphi fan. Then, in order to find areas prone to windbreak, a hybrid model was used. Also, the Olegi model was used to determine the thermal comfort in Shahrood and to identify suitable times for using windbreaks. This model incorporates the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique and the Geographic Information System (GIS). Tools used included ArcGIS software, version 9.3 and Expert Choice software, version 2004. Paired comparison method was used to weight the indicators and zones. Six indicators of sundial, wind, altitude, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were identified for windbreak location. Relative humidity index with a weight of 0.38 had the highest and height index with a weight of 0.154 had the lowest score. The months of May and June are in the zone of thermal comfort and there are times when windbreaks will not be very useful in Shahrood city. On the other hand, July, August and September due to high temperatures and December, January, February and March due to high cold are good times to use windbreaks. Finally, the layer related to each indicator was prepared and drawn for Shahrood city. The use of hierarchical analysis method combined with GIS and layer superimposing method makes it possible to identify and determine the optimal location for a variety of uses in a wide geographical area.