Research on indoor light environment of gymnasium based on Ecotect simulation analysis
Publicado en línea: 24 mar 2025
Recibido: 31 oct 2024
Aceptado: 19 feb 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amns-2025-0738
Palabras clave
© 2025 Shouyi Wang et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Stadium is a large indoor sports venues, in organizing games and activities, lighting design plays a crucial role. Excellent lighting design can enhance the audience’s visual experience, increase the atmosphere of the game or activity, and create a comfortable and safe environment for athletes and spectators [1-3].
The lighting design of the stadium is very important to provide a good competitive environment and spectator experience. On the one hand, the lighting needs to meet the requirements of the playing field to ensure that the athletes can clearly see the playing area. On the other hand, spectators also need a bright and comfortable environment to watch the game [4-6]. Therefore, in the indoor stadium lighting design, the following aspects need to be considered: first, it is necessary to ensure that the light in the competition area is sufficient and uniform. The playing field in the stadium usually has specific lighting requirements, which is very important for the performance of the athletes [7-9]. Secondly, the lighting design of the spectator area needs to be considered. The lighting in the spectator area needs to be bright and comfortable in order to provide a good viewing experience for the spectators. In addition, power management and energy-saving design should be considered. Stadiums are usually large buildings, and their lighting systems consume relatively high amounts of energy. Therefore, energy-saving lamps and control systems need to be considered in the lighting design to reduce energy consumption [10-13]. Finally, safety and reliability need to be considered. Stadiums are places that carry a large number of spectators and athletes, so the safety and reliability of the lighting system are very important. In the design, it is necessary to ensure that the electrical connection of the lamps and lanterns is reliable, to prevent problems such as short circuits or wiring failures [14-17].
Literature [18] takes a college gymnasium as an example by establishing a visual comfort assessment calculation method. The questionnaire-based analysis reveals that the comprehensive visual evaluation is a good visual evaluation index, while the average brightness of all aspects of the whole gymnasium under the genetic algorithm achieves a comfortable visualization. Literature [19] aims to combine subjective evaluation, objective physiological indicators and light environment evaluation in order to determine the factors affecting visual comfort and establish corresponding thresholds. Taking a university gymnasium as an example, the questionnaire yielded a high degree of consistency between physiological indicators of visual comfort and subjective evaluation. And the data of various aspects of the light environment in different seasons were compared, which provided a reference for the optimization design of the light environment of the gymnasium. Literature [20] proposed a design and analysis model for lighting and control of large venues, and introduced a lighting system based on microgrid control. The system is tested through a simulation system, and the results show that the virtual synchronizer technology can improve the coordination and synchronization of the lighting system and guarantee the lighting of the stadium, which has a good development prospect. Literature [21] took a stadium as an example and carried out a survey under different lighting conditions to determine the factors affecting users’ assessment of the daylight environment and the visual comfort threshold for mass sports activities. The results of the analysis pointed out that emotional state, glare perception and visual clarity had a significant impact on user evaluation, and visual comfort thresholds were systematically discussed. Literature [22] designed an intelligent control lighting system for gymnasiums based on LED buses to adapt to the needs of different venues’ lighting. The experimental results emphasized not only the normal and stable operation, but also the ability to automatically control the light and dark and on/off according to the indoor lighting brightness, with good energy-saving effect. Literature [23] reveals that traditional sports lighting methods cause waste of resources and environmental pollution to the environment. A multifunctional controller was developed to solve the problem of controlling the control of lights. It was emphasized that the controllers have good energy saving effect and help to reduce the waste of power resources. Literature [24] aims to summarize the effects of lighting conditions on subjective comfort, physiological indicators and cognitive performance. Based on the literature review the relationship between different lighting environments and subjective comfort, among others, was summarized. It was found that illuminance and color temperature had a greater effect on subjective comfort ratings, cognitive performance and a lesser effect on visual comfort. Literature [25] examined the application of intelligent lighting control systems in different events in sports stadiums. According to the characteristics of the tournament lighting system, the lighting demand analysis algorithm and intelligent lighting control system control algorithm were proposed and designed. The effectiveness of the intelligent lighting control system was verified by testing the algorithm. Literature [26] took a gymnasium as an example to study its intelligent lighting control system. The intelligent lighting control system was designed and realized using models such as PID incremental control. And the actual effect of the system was evaluated. The results mentioned that the intelligent lighting control system can accurately control the lighting of different sports in the gymnasium. Literature [27] developed an intelligent gymnasium system based on Internet technology in order to improve the utilization and management of the gymnasium. This system includes components such as intelligent lighting system, intelligent ticketing system, and sports data collection system, which significantly improves the efficiency of gymnasium management and meets the needs of information management.
The construction of gymnasiums is a guarantee to promote sports, and a suitable physical environment is an important means to ensure the physical and mental health of users. Therefore, this paper proposes a typical space model for gymnasiums based on research data and combined with sports building design codes. Secondly, samples are selected to measure and analyze the indoor natural light environment. Finally, the introduction of light environment simulation software ECOTECT simulation and analysis of the gymnasium, by changing the variable parameters, to determine the trend of the light environment in the gymnasium, and ultimately derive the existence of the optimal model of the quality of the gymnasium lighting, which is of theoretical significance in guiding the design of the lighting of the gymnasium, scientifically detecting and evaluating the quality of the lighting, and improving the quality of lighting in the gymnasium.
ECOTECT EcoBuilder is a software that analyzes eco-buildings using BIM technology. ECOTECT is a comprehensive technical performance analysis and design assistance software, as shown in Figure 1, which analyzes the impact of multiple factors such as sunlight, lighting, energy consumption and other factors on the building, and solves the practical problems of building functionality and comfort through simulation. Through ECOTECT software to build a digital model to provide a digital vector view, indoor wind, light, and heat environment can be seen at a glance, with the construction of the building can make the building program more reasonable, building an indoor physical environment to create a more comfortable and healthy.
ECOTECT plug-in
Existing computer building light simulation software is based on ray tracing and light transmission of the two concepts of design, which makes the building environment simulation of a larger amount of computation and the need for professionalism is too strong. Ecotect software light environment simulation in fully cloudy days under the most unfavorable mode of simulation, which not only ensures the accuracy of the simulation at the same time will the integration of the calculation process, effectively avoiding the cumbersome operation.
When using ECOTECT software to simulate the light environment, first of all, the house model should be established according to the drawings to determine the orientation of the house, the size of the windows and doors and the opening position. Subsequently, the normal direction of the model should be checked to ensure that all surfaces of the model are normal to the outside. The third step should be to check whether the optical physical parameters of the doors, windows, and enclosure are set correctly. For example, whether the transmittance of visible light, color reflectance, emissivity, glass refractive index, high luminosity, and other parameters are within the relevant specification requirements. The fourth step is to establish the analysis grid according to the calculation accuracy, model size, and other factors, and adjust it to the size suitable for the model. The fifth step is to carry out model light analysis.
Ecotect Lighting Calculator is divided into modules for analyzing and simulating natural lighting, natural and human lighting, simulating lighting in a specified area, and outputting to Radiance Lighting Simulation. Lighting and lighting simulation in the software can be calculated to show the development of the surface or analysis of the grid lighting coefficient value of artificial lighting illuminance value of the data, while the simulation needs to take into account factors such as regional meteorological data, seasonal, the room inside and outside the surface of the material, the form of the space, the size of the window area, the choice of artificial light source. In the calculation of indoor lighting, the material properties of lamps are mainly affected by the output light intensity and the light distribution curve. If you need to calculate the indoor artificial lighting accurately, you should import the corresponding IES file, but at present, the import of ULD, *.ldt, *.cib, and other formats in DIALux is not supported. After the calculation, “DATA&SCALE” under the “Analysis Grid” panel can be used to view various lighting methods and illuminance values, and finally can be exported in the form of a report for in-depth analysis.
Ecotect needs to check and analyze the model before calculation, whether the model area is closed, whether the outer envelope of the model is closed, and whether the material of the window is suitable will affect the analysis of the indoor light environment. The simulation of indoor light environment is generally carried out by setting up the analysis grid, the finer the setting of the grid, the higher the accuracy of the analysis, and then the accurate illumination value on each point can be observed, but it will consume a lot of time, the general small scene and simple model
Typical building models came into being with the proposal of building energy efficiency, which is mainly used for evaluating new energy-saving technologies, optimizing designs, analyzing advanced control schemes, formulating energy-saving standards, and conducting research on lighting, ventilation, and indoor environment. Typical models are established based on relevant norms, standards, and research data, which represent the general situation of a certain type of building and have no real counterparts in actual buildings.
Based on the data of stadiums researched in the early stage of the project, this paper proposes a typical model of stadiums applicable to the whole country by combining with the design standards of stadiums and relevant papers, so as to provide a basis for the next step of stadiums’ actual measurements and optimized design of light environment simulation.
A typical model consists of a series of basic spatial parameters that have an impact on the quantity and quality of light. Parameter identification and system attribution from the calculation formula can identify the key parameters necessary for the design.
According to building design lighting standards (GB 50033-2013):
Calculation formula for the average value of lateral lighting coefficient:
Formula for calculating the average value of the top light factor:
The formula for calculating the average value of indoor illuminance:
Where
Environmental parameters Environmental parameters include window shade ( Reflection coefficient of indoor materials The indoor material mainly affects the reflection coefficient, and the corresponding indexes are categorized into The calculation formula is:
Window design parameters Window design parameters include the choice of lighting methods, form, location, area, number, orientation, glass material, window frame design and other aspects, which belong to the core part of the study of natural lighting in college gymnasiums, and therefore not defined in the basic typical building space model. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a typical lighting space model for a college gymnasium using three parameters: environmental parameters, reflection coefficients of indoor materials, and materials used.
In architectural lighting design, in order to meet the basic requirements of the user’s light environment, the lighting coefficient is taken as an important index of architectural lighting design. Lighting coefficient (C) is the ratio of the natural illuminance at a certain point indoors under fully cloudy conditions to the diffuse illuminance from the sky on the unobstructed horizontal surface outdoors at the same time and at the same place, i.e.
Where
Lighting uniformity refers to the ratio of the minimum value of the lighting coefficient to the average value on the reference surface, numerically the same as the ratio of the minimum value of indoor illuminance to the average illuminance. In order to create a good learning environment, the side lighting degree should be not less than 0.7.
Critical illuminance is the illuminance value outside when artificial lighting is used in the use of the room symbolized as
Standard value of daylight factor
| Lighting class | Visual task classification | sidelighting | top daylighting | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating accuracy | Identification minimum size (mm) | Minimum lighting factor (%) | Indoor Critical Illuminance (lx) | Average lighting factor (%) | Indoor Critical Illuminance (lx) | |
| I | special detailed | 5 | 250 | 7 | 350 | |
| II | Very delicate | 0.15 < |
3 | 150 | 4.5 | 225 |
| III | delicate | 0.3 < |
2 | 100 | 3 | 150 |
| IV | ordinary | 1.0 < |
1 | 50 | 1.5 | 75 |
| V | rough | 0.5 | 25 | 0.7 | 35 | |
As mentioned above, along with the increasing socialization and daily use of sports, how to reasonably use the natural lighting of the gymnasium, so as to achieve the reduction of lighting energy consumption has become one of the design priorities.
The evaluation criteria of indoor light environment of gymnasium mainly include appropriate illuminance, reasonable horizontal and vertical uniformity, glare control and good color rendering. For natural lighting, the design goal should be to achieve illuminance and illuminance uniformity standards, and to avoid the generation of glare.
In this paper, a gymnasium in South China is selected as a real test object, and the sample is analyzed for illumination.
The roof of a stadium consists of four asymmetrical pieces of combined reinforced concrete hyperbolic parabolic torsion shell structure with an internal asymmetrical bleacher form. Low-level bleachers are provided on all sides of the site, while six rows of high-level bleachers are added on the east side. Due to the hyperbolic parabolic roof form, the roof varies from 22 to 35 meters above the playing field, and the roof is sloped, high in the middle and low on both sides. Between the four roof torsion shells, there are cross-shaped skylights and Z-shaped special construction sun shades. The horizontal projection of the roof of the building is about an 82.6×53.2 rectangle, and the horizontal projection areas of the skylights in the four directions are 133m2 in the north direction, 98m2 in the west direction, 133m2 in the south direction, and 108m2 in the east direction, respectively. The sunshading panels in the skylights are designed to ensure that there is no direct sunlight entering the unfavorable point during the annual sunlight hours, and that there is no light spot on the ground through the experimental simulation.
The natural lighting situation of the stadium is mainly measured by the lighting coefficient, which is used to test whether the illumination is suitable for the basic training needs and the informal competition needs, and whether the uniformity of illumination is reasonable, while the interference of dazzling light needs to be avoided. Therefore, the measurement points were set evenly in all the gymnasiums, covering the whole competition hall. Table 2 shows the illuminance and lighting coefficients of summer stadiums, and Table 3 shows the illuminance and lighting coefficients of transitional season stadiums.
Summer stadium illuminance, lighting coefficient table (Unit:lx)
| test time | The average illumination value of the competition site is Eave 01 | Lighting factor of the competition venue | Audience area average illumination value Eave 02 | Lighting factor of spectator area | The average illumination value in the gymnasium Eave | Daylighting factor in the stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 20 | 1.35% | 18 | 1.45% | 19 | 1.32% |
| 11:00 | 16 | 0.79% | 32 | 1.24% | 28 | 1.08% |
| 13:00 | 150 | 6.67% | 72 | 2.02% | 92 | 3.68% |
| 15:00 | 6 | 0.58% | 15 | 1.85% | 5 | 1.32% |
| average value | 48 | 2.35% | 34.25 | 1.64% | 36 | 1.85% |
Transition season stadium illuminance, lighting coefficient table (Unit:lx)
| test time | The average illumination value of the competition site is Eave 01 | Lighting factor of the competition venue | Audience area average illumination value Eave 02 | Lighting factor of spectator area | The average illumination value in the gymnasium Eave | Daylighting factor in the stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 14 | 1.87% | 15 | 1.78% | 14 | 1.84% |
| 11:00 | 36 | 1.51% | 35 | 1.61% | 36 | 1.56% |
| 13:00 | 12 | 1.13% | 18 | 1.15% | 19 | 1.14% |
| 15:00 | 9 | 1.56% | 11 | 2.01% | 13 | 2.08% |
| average value | 18 | 1.52% | 20 | 1.64% | 21 | 1.66% |
The overall illuminance values in the stadium were significantly low. During the summer testing period, the illuminance in the playing field exceeded 145lx only at 13:00, the rest of the time it was around 20lx or less, which is far below the standard value. Spectator stand illuminance also did not exceed 35lx. During the transition season, the illuminance values ranged from 5-40lx in the playing field and 10-35lx in the spectator stand, which is not sufficient for both competition and recreation. Therefore, except for a few times during the summer, artificial lighting is required for classes and training in the gym.
In terms of lighting coefficient, the lighting coefficient is below 1.5% in summer except for 13:00 pm when the lighting coefficient reaches 5%, and below 2% in the transitional season. According to the critical illuminance value of 5000lx, the indoor illuminance value is difficult to meet the standard.
The reasons for the unsatisfactory illuminance values and lighting coefficients are: a. Despite the size of the skylight, each side is heavily shaded by z-shaped sunshades set up to ensure that no direct light enters, and rough concrete surfaces are used with low reflectivity, so that the light entering the room is very limited. b. The side window to the west is completely blocked and does not provide light. c. As a result, the entire interior is only functioning with high side windows in the east and west directions, and the side windows in the east are blocked by part of the equipment room, with a very limited area of light, resulting in a serious lack of indoor lighting.
Illumination uniformity can be measured by two values: U1 and U2. Figure 2 shows a table of illumination uniformity curves for gymnasiums.
Illuminance uniformity of stadium
Pavilion has good uniformity of lighting on the playing field. During the summer season, the playing field U1 is between 0.35 and 0.65 and U2 is between 0.55 and 0.85. During the transition season, U1 is between 0.4-0.55 and U2 is between 0.55-0.75. It can basically meet the requirements for lighting uniformity for competition and training. The variation of illumination uniformity is not large and decreases with the increase of illumination value. It reaches its lowest value at 15:00 pm in summer. The uniformity of the sitting area is poor, basically below 0.3.
According to the previous measurement, the selected sample illuminance value and lighting coefficient performance are not ideal, but due to the existence of many limitations in the actual measurement and interference of human factors, so this paper adopts the light environment simulation software ECOTECT to simulate and analyze the gymnasium, and determines the trend of the light environment change in the gymnasium by changing the variable coefficients in it, and finally comes up with the optimal model of the quality of lighting in the gymnasium that can be existed.
Skylight decentralized lighting arrangement can be divided into parallel arrangement, 15 ° angle arrangement, 30 ° angle arrangement, and 45 ° angle arrangement of four forms, this paper first of all in the case of the same area of the window (skylight area / competition hall area = 0.5) were simulated to verify the four decentralized skylight arrangement form of the light environment simulation results, the plane model size of 45m × 75m, the model indoor net height of 16m to The planar model size is 45m×75m, the clear height of the model room is 16m, and the skylights are arranged symmetrically with the event venue as the center.
From Table 4 different angle arrangements of decentralized skylight lighting simulation results table can be seen, parallel arrangement of decentralized skylight minimum value of 320lx, illuminance uniformity U2 for 0.20, 15 ° arrangement of the minimum value of 320lx, illuminance uniformity U2 for 0.15, 30 ° arrangement of a minimum of 320lx, illuminance uniformity U2 for 0.13, 45 ° arrangement of a minimum value of 360lx, illuminance uniformity U2 is 0.12.
Simulation results of distributed skylight lighting at different angles
| Body model | Emin(lx) | Emax(lx) | Eave(lx) | U2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| parallel arrangement | 320 | 2010 | 1209.06 | 0.18 |
| 15° Angle arrangement | 320 | 2960 | 1609.29 | 0.15 |
| 30° Angle arrangement | 320 | 2120 | 1770 | 0.13 |
| 45° Angle arrangement | 360 | 3350 | 2094.98 | 0.12 |
In summary, the minimum value of the four ways to meet the specification requirements, and three into an angular arrangement of decentralized skylight illumination and degree of reduction than the parallel arrangement, light port 45° arrangement will be in the playing field to form a strip of obvious light, so determine the parallel arrangement of skylight more in line with the requirements of the stadium’s lighting.
For further validation of the parallel decentralized skylight lighting model, five groups of shape models with the ratio of skylight area to site area of 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, and 0.55 were selected for comparative simulation and analysis, respectively.
As shown in Table 5, the simulation results of decentralized skylight lighting with different area ratios show that Emin, Emax, Eave, and U2 all increase with the increase of the ratio of the skylight area to the area of the venue, which is basically a linear relationship. However, when the skylight area and the competition hall ratio between 0.25-0.35 U value will have obvious changes, and when the skylight area and the competition hall ratio of 0.35 or so, the illuminance of the furthest point of the room will be the lowest value of 160lx.
Lighting simulation results with different area ratios
| Body model | Emin(lx) | Emax(lx) | Eave(lx) | U2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylight area/competition hall area=0.15 | 18 | 900 | 318.4 | 0.09 |
| Skylight area/competition hall area=0.25 | 62 | 1300 | 621.45 | 0.11 |
| Skylight area/competition hall area=0.35 | 160 | 1640 | 988.61 | 0.16 |
| Skylight area/competition hall area=0.45 | 190 | 2190 | 1320 | 0.18 |
| Skylight area/competition hall area=0.55 | 250 | 2210 | 1651.67 | 0.19 |
In summary, the competition hall (with spectator seats) can meet the requirements of training and amateur competitions solely by relying on skylight lighting. Moreover, when the ratio of the skylight area to the competition hall is about 0.35, the illumination of the competition hall can not only meet the requirements of professional training and amateur competitions, but also satisfy the lighting requirements of the spectator seats, and 0.35 is more energy-efficient compared to larger ratios, so this paper sets the ratio of the skylight area to the competition hall to be 0.35 when extracting the lighting model of the stadium.
On the basis of the above conclusions, the area of the skylight of the competition hall/area of the competition hall was set to 0.35, and the decentralized skylight lighting model of the competition hall with different heights was further verified, as shown in Table 6, and five groups of form models with building heights of 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 were selected for comparative simulation and analysis, respectively.
Lighting simulation results at different heights
| Body model | Emin(lx) | Emax(lx) | Eave(lx) | U2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H=14m | 130 | 1530 | 942.01 | 0.14 |
| H=16m | 130 | 1530 | 832.98 | 0.15 |
| H=18m | 100 | 1460 | 799.78 | 0.10 |
| H=20m | 90 | 1420 | 762.92 | 0.08 |
| H=22m | 100 | 1310 | 713.79 | 0.14 |
As shown in Table 6, the simulation results of decentralized skylights with different heights show that Emin, Emax, Eave and U2 increase with the increase of height before the height of the competition hall reaches 16m, and the values of Emin, Emax, Eave and U2 will decrease after the height of the competition hall reaches 20m.
In summary, combined with the actual use of the stadium requirements, to determine the height of the stadium competition hall for 16m when the best lighting effect.
This paper mainly combines the technical means of on-site measurement and computer simulation, and focuses on selecting a gymnasium with more perfect and outstanding energy-saving measures as a representative to carry out measurement, and study the effectiveness of the energy-saving technical means adopted and the direction that can be optimized and improved.
The light environment simulation software ECOTECT is introduced to simulate and analyze the gymnasium, and the trend of the light environment in the gymnasium is determined by changing the arrangement direction, area ratio and height of the decentralized skylights in the gymnasium. The final data show that 15 °, 30 °, 45 ° three kinds of angular arrangement of decentralized skylight illuminance uniformity than the parallel arrangement has been reduced, the light port 45 ° arrangement will be in the playing field to form a strip of obvious light, to determine the parallel arrangement of skylights more in line with the lighting requirements of the stadium. When the ratio of the skylight area to the competition hall is about 0.35, the illuminance at the farthest point of the room will reach 160lx, which is the best performance in meeting the lighting requirements and energy saving. Combined with the actual use of the stadium needs, the height of the competition hall is 16m when the best lighting.