New building envelope designs are developed to meet the client's requirements without much concern to the local climate and with no objective to conserve energy, despite the fact that orientation should be decided together with massing, early in the design process. An answer should be provided for an important issues; which building orientation makes the highest reduction in energy demand for school`s buildings in Jordan?. Preserving the valuable resources in our planet would be as a result when comfort and energy saving are important in the climate responsive design (La Roche, P., Liggett, R., 2001). Thermal behaviour of a building is altered when it is laid out in different orientations. Building form, window surface area, and the building orientation determine solar heat gain into the building. In this research; building orientation was used to determine relative efficiency of different base and skewed orientations in hot arid climate. One study on the effect of orientation on building thermal performance (Al-Tamimi N. A., Fadzil S. F., Harun W. M., 2011) shows that building orientation is a significant design consideration, mainly with regard to solar radiation and wind, and the results of the study which was conducted in Malaysia showed that East windows have more obvious effect on increasing indoor air temperature than West windows for the predominantly hot humid regions. However, in (Brandt Andersson, Wayne Place and Ronald Kammerud, 1985), the study was carried out for 25 climates in the United States; it was found that in all climates, when the more extensively glazed exposure is oriented to the South; total loads are significantly lower than those in the same building oriented to the East or West. North orientation also produces lower total loads than East or West orientations in the Southern two-thirds of the U.S., and roughly equivalent loads in the Northern third. Other researches as (S. M. A. Bekkouche, T. Benouaz, M. K. Cherier, M. Hamdani, R. M Yaiche, R. Khanniche, 2013) studied the orientation effect of a non-air-conditioned building on its thermal performance, where the orientation effect has been analysed in terms of direct solar gain and temperature index for hot-dry climates. Restricted site and orientation optimization in Design were also studied in (C. Ochoa and I. Capeluto ,2008), and in (C. Hopfe and J. Hensen, 2005). It is well known that thermal interaction between the internal environment of a building and the ambient conditions take place through the building envelop. Principles of good thermal design for hot arid climates require promoting solar heat gain, low window to wall ratio, and tight building envelop. Whereas the nature of urban context and surroundings, plot layout, entrance and accessibility points sometimes ignores basic bioclimatic design principles and limits energy optimization and building performance from orientation. In Jordan, due to limited resources; school buildings do not include any kind of thermal insulation. The increase in new construction of school buildings, due to population growth resulted from forced migrations; calls for better measures considering building optimization within the framework of the original governmental schools architectural design, with energy efficient adaptations, and optimization of classrooms orientation. In a previous research (Al-Arja O. Awadallah T., 2015), the following main findings end results were found for the energy consumption amounts per meter square of area per year, for the basic two Orientations (N-S) and (E-W), for both heating and cooling demand: 1) Highest total consumed energy is represented by the case which uses high Window to Wall Ratio (WWR), single Low-E glazing, and Green Building Guide (GBG) minimum U-value requirement of 0.45 W/m2.K, and no shading available (worst case scenario): a. For N-S oriented building is 40.36 kWh/m2/year. b. For E-W oriented building is 53.5 kWh/m2/year. 2) Lowest total consumed energy is represented by the case which uses low WWR, double glazing and GBG U-value requirement of 0.45 W/m2.K, with adjustable shading (optimum case scenario): a. For N-S oriented building is 24.36 kWh/m2/year. b. For E-W oriented building is 31.05 kWh/m2/year. 3) Average total consumed energy is 32.0 kWh/m2/year for N-S case, 42.0 kWh/m2/year for E-W case. 1.2 Objectives 1) To introduce a comparative study between energy consumption optimization for school`s buildings of basic orientations (N-S) and (E-W) and skewed ones (NE-SW) and (NW-SE). 2) To maximise energy savings for heating and cooling in school buildings. 3) To help in establishing benchmarks for energy consumption averages for different building sectors, attached to orientation optimisation. 4) To accumulate a local data base that includes differentiations between building strategies that minimises energy consumption through the building envelope parameters, and compares Energy Use Index for the educational sector in Amman Jordan, which represents Hot Arid climate zones

This paper introduces a comparative study between energy consumption optimization of school`s sector for the basic orientations (N-S) and (E-W) and the skewed ones ((NE-SW) and (NW-SE)). In a previous research (Al-Arja O. Awadallah T., 2015), the basic orientations were experimented and the Energy Use Index for energy consumption was established. The largest part of energy is consumed in classrooms; so only classrooms are addressed. To conduct numerical comparisons between the different cases and orientations; Building performance simulation (using DesignBuilder® software) [DesignBuilder® Thermal Simulation Software, USA, accessed February 12, 2011. http://www.designbuildersoftware.com] was used. Initially, 108 model runs were simulated for the skewed orientations, to experiment the effect of the following passive elements: (1) window to wall area ratio (WWR), (2) window panes, (3) shading devices, and (4) building envelope insulation; on energy savings when compared to the conventional base case design. Secondly, a comparative analysis was conducted to conclude the optimum design solutions for minimum energy demand respecting a thermally comfortable environment. Recommendations were given to establish a regulatory base for the minimum design criteria requirement for school building`s main façades with different skewed orientations, in order to reduce energy demand, establish Energy Use Index, and provide indoor thermal comfort, for hot arid climates.

Based on the analysis and findings of the research, the following conclusions and recommendations can be drawn: - For schools sector in hot arid climate generally, and in Jordan specifically, the Energy Use Index (EUI) is concluded from the research, and refers to energy consumption/ meter square of area/ year for both heating and cooling demand. The average consumption value could be used as an Energy Use Index for future studies on energy consumption in School`s buildings in Jordan. - Based on energy costs in Jordan for 2015, the following values show savings for optimum case scenarios of all orientations if compared with the average energy consumption value, and increase in energy consumption cost when compared with the worst case scenarios. The values are represented in JDs/m2/year, and as total cost increase or decrease for the school studied in this research with the area of 1224 m2 - Use efficient glazing materials whenever the WWR is higher, for all orientations of school buildings in Amman - hot arid climate zones. - Always provide shading for high WWR in all facade orientations of school building in Amman, and hot arid climate zones. - For economic feasibility, use single Low-E glazing (30 JDs/m2) instead of double glazing (70 JDs/m2) for all orientations (skewed and basic) of schools in Amman, and hot arid climate zones. This is due to the relatively high energy savings achieved when using single low-e glazing compared to clear single glazing (20 JDs/m2), and the relatively lower initial costs compared to double glazing. - It is recommended that both heating and cooling savings issue should be addressed equally in School`s building design in Amman, and hot arid climate zones, regardless of orientation, because of the relatively high energy prices (0.145 JD/kWh in 2015), (Jordan Electric Power Company, 2015) - As recommended in the previous research, the minimum U-value requirements of the Energy Efficient Building (EEB) Code of Jordan should be complied, not the Green Building Guideline (GBG) requirements, for all basic orientations of School`s buildings in Jordan, due to its feasibility when comparing initial costs with predicted savings. - As recommended in the previous research, incentive schemes should be developed for the use of automatically adjustable shading devices on the main facades of School`s buildings, in order to offset the high cost of adjustable shading devices (which ranges from 15 to 30 JDs/m2)), and to encourage the proper usage of these shading devices.

Jordan, as a developing country, has no significant oil resources with limited slow progress in energy sector, and natural gas reserve which is not able to support a substantial production increase. With the increase of electricity demand1, and in parallel to the global tropism to renewable energy, and its different resources; solar, hydropower, wind, tide, geothermal, and the problem of climatic changes, its became a high challenge with Jordan’s potential position to get benefit from the solar energy as one of the most important energy resources. Energy consumption of Jordan is numerated as a high one especially that is the imported energy formed 96% of the total energy consumption in 20092 which is increasing daily, whereas the predicted energy need will increase in a percentage of 5.5% between 2008 -2020 as reported by the Jordanian ministry of energy and mineral resources3. These consumptions are divided into different sectors; industry, transportation, households and services. Whereas Household is in the second ascending order after transportation in energy consuming which reaches 22 -25% of energy use in Jordan4. Contemporary architectural design can’t solve its problems of environmental control by means of artificial systems. Furthermore, in many other cultures buildings have been built with an acute awareness of the limitations imposed by the climate in which they are located. Builders with few technical resources are forced to design their buildings in close relation to their usefulness as a barrier against the climate. In our modern buildings, on the other hand, the unrealistic faith in artificial systems lead to design which disregard the climate and turn out buildings that are both physiologically and psychologically inhospitable. One of the main tasks of environmental control systems is to provide thermally comfortable indoor conditions for the occupants. Mainly the sustainable buildings which are defined as “the creation and responsible management of a healthy built environment based on resource efficient and ecological principles”5. So the sustainable buildings are considered as buildings with a control on thermal indoor conditions that offers comfort for its occupants, through many strategies like; thermal mass, architectural and physical design and many other strategies to gain a healthy built environment. Thermal comfort in buildings is perceived as one of the characteristic and difficult variables that architecture must address, for that a deep study for the idea of sustainable architecture, thermal comfort, thermal mass, orientation and the other physical architectural elements which are important in determining the rate of solar heat gain in addition to its architectural decorative function must be taken into consideration. The main goal of the study was to investigate, analyze, evaluate and compare thermal performance for low income housing ( SOS buildings) in three different locations in Jordan through different methods of inquiry.

Energy conservation and efficiency is an input-reduction method, and a way for achieving sustainable design. Its main roll is to reduce consumption of fossil fuels. Buildings consume energy in their operation for heating, lighting and cooling, and also in their construction. Aqaba’s SOS village _ as energy efficient housing buildings_ gets the Aga Khan award in architecture 2001, for their friendly relation with environment. This paper investigated, analyzed, evaluated and compared energy efficiency, thermal performance and envelope design for SOS buildings as energy efficient ones in three different locations in Jordan. The prime objective of this research was to understand the environmental conditions and to improve design practices, which aimed to help the ability to improve the quality of built environment and living conditions. Aimed also to determine the effective thermal strategies, to have the better thermal performance for energy efficient housing buildings, and to have these strategies as guidelines for architects. Moreover, it evaluated energy performance of SOS village’s buildings, through simulating the real environment by using computer simulation program, and monitoring the temperatures by using sensors and data loggers, in addition to that it used formal and informal interviews with house’s occupants and its designer. It concluded that Irbid’s SOS village buildings was considered as a thermal comfort housing buildings that corresponded 60% of occupant’s perceptions (according to ASHREA standards), regarding it as a comfort buildings. While Aqaba’s ones were perceived as a totally comfort buildings in winter, and un-comfort environment in summer. A similar harsh environment needs a rational and conscious consideration of choosing envelope formers to get a good thermal mass that prevents heat gain in summer. Definite strategies were defined to improve housing buildings thermal conditions and minimize energy consumption in the three villages, which can be generalized on similar housing buildings in the same cities, holding convergent characteristics. These kinds of studies having a high grand, because it searches to minimize energy consumption and complies with human comfort as a main target. And also because housing projects having the greater portion in the built-up area all around the world and the highly energy consumers and the greater place to stay in daily, it deserves to have this interest. A comprehensive understanding for energy efficient buildings will improve architects designs, and consequently human’s lives and their interpretations. In total, the paper builds for setting up a base knowledge for thermal performance evaluation and investigation, and opens a way for future researches to take place.

As a result for occupant’s questioners and designer interview it’s clear that a big contrast exist between theoretical ideas and real life. The designer considers Aqaba’s SOS village buildings as a thermal comfort environment and efficient buildings. There is no need for air conditioners, the high thermal mass, insulation, windows and mashrabias are all playing a good role in reaching the comfort situation. Wind towers are good affording good ventilation. While through occupants interviews it was clear that Aqaba’s village housing buildings are completely uncomfortable buildings in summer. Wind towers were closed because of the dust, a very inside high temperatures are a real problem can’t be minimized in using any affordable solution. Similar results were clear in monitoring, that the inside temperatures were higher than the comfort ones. High energy consumption for cooling was also announced through simulation results and a high heat flow through envelope because of the harsh climate was calculated. Definite strategies were postulated with the help of the simulation program, that indicates that in maximizing the wall insulation, and in a double low-e glass instead of the single ones a large decrease in energy consumptions will be an easy goal. Having a comfortable environment is a summation of many factors play all together forming the final conclusion; Envelope materials, insulation, glazing type, orientation, shading systems and many other factors can minimizes energy consumption and facilitates reaching thermal comfort zone. An insulated double brick wall can equals the insulated stone wall, having a little bit smaller resistance value. For that it can be used for cheaper cost. That means Thermal mass as a major factor helps in preventing heat gain and loss to maintain a comfortable built environment, plays with all other factors to earn that aim and minimizes residential or built-up energy consumption. High material’s resistances and the good position of the insulation forms major factors that shape a good and effective thermal mass. And that was very clear in SOS buildings in adding more wall insulation, good heat prevention occurs which led to minimize annual energy consumption. The main strategies can be as guidelines for similar residential projects having a similar thermal properties, that can be summarizes in the following table, but generally, each building must be studied as a separate case, because: geometrical design, proportions of elevations, area of openings in each side, height of the space, and many other geometrical properties, which differ from one building to another, plays a significance effect besides the effect of thermal properties. It is recommended that designer, who plays the main role in determining building performance, must take these issues seriously into consideration besides building form and function, it is became very easy through using simulation programs to check building performance and to check the efficiency of any suggested solutions after a good understanding for the main ideas of energy efficiency, sustainable design and green building designs and to follow green building principals and to take environment into consideration. Similar studies can be applied to similar projects; because low cost housing projects need to be a low cost in operation in addition to construction total cost, and also for the reduplicated housing projects.

Seismic assessment and retrofitting of typical school building are carried out using a finite element software package implementing the recent fiber based beam-column element approach taking into account the geometric and materials nonlinearities. The local intervention of element jacketing with steel plates and carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) sheets is compared with constructing new shear walls as a global retrofitting. The comparison addresses, as a first priority, the ability to apply these methods in our practical applications to ensure their effectiveness. Nonlinear static analyses procedures (NSP) are used to locate the seismic deficiencies based on elastic response spectra developed for site conditions. The study shows the effectiveness of constructing new shear walls in reducing the local seismic demands on deficient elements. The global stiffening considerably limits the interstory drift ratios achieving a predefined performance level. The distribution of stiffness and strength is also modified by lessening the irregularity of the structural system. On the other hand, local modifications using CFRP-strengthening shows a good alternative solution for enhancing the shear resistance of columns and drop beams with almost no contribution on increasing the deformation capacity through confinement due to high aspect ratio effect.