Ground Heat Storage of Surface Materials in the Urban Area

Abstract

The variability of surface heat flux depends strongly on the materials heat absorption and storage rates. During summer days, the temeprature in the materials and long-wave radiation from the surface were measured together with surface long-wave radiation, atmospheric and solar radiation etc. Among materials, asphalt slabs absorb highest radiation energy, and increase their temperature. Eventually, they radiate heat as high as 700W/m², which is 150W/m² higher than that of concrete slabs. In addition, the heat absorbed during daytime is released into the atmosphere during night and causes so-called “tropical nights”.