Experimental assessment of environment performance of different typologies of light pipes

The paper presents the results of an experimental activity concerning different kinds of light pipes, characterized by different section, length and material used as conduction element's coating. Such experimentation was carried out inside a scale model placed under both real sky and a sky scanning simulator. The luminous efficiency of the conduction element was measured for different pipe typologies, as well as the quantity and distribution of sunlight and daylight inside the office. So illuminance levels on working planes were measured using the sky simulator and Daylight Factor values were calculated while digital pictures taken inside the model under real sky condition were used to analyze distribution and dynamic variation of sunlight penetration. Collected data were used to verify if standard requirements were met and to compare performance of different pipes. Characteristics of the scale model, the experimental approach as well as results which were obtained are presented. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group.