Assessment of green roof systems in terms of water and energy balance

• Main Authors: Mert Ekşi, Adnan Uzun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: İstanbul University 2016-01-01
• Series: İstanbul Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi
• Subjects: Green roof; vegetated roof; water; energy; Istanbul
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.17099/jffiu.67110

Green roofs concept term is used for extensive green roofs which are planted with herbaceous plants that can be adapted into changeable environmental conditions on a shallow substrate layer, require minimal maintenance, installed for their benefits to building and urban scale. Main objective of this study is to determine the characteristics of a green roof such as thermal insulation, water holding capacity, runoff characteristics, plant growth and its interaction with environmental factors in Istanbul climate conditions by performing comparative measurements. In this study, a research site (IU Green Roof Research Station) was founded to assess water and energy balance of green roofs. Thus, a typical green roof was evaluated in terms of water and energy balance and its interaction with the building and city was determined. energy efficiency of green roof system was 77% higher than reference roof. Temperature fluctuations on green roof section of the roof were 79% lower. In addition, green roof retained 12,8% - 100% of precipitation and delayed runoff up to 23 hours depending on water content of substrate.