Site selection of potential zones for wind-catchers in hot and dry areas of IRAN In order to naturally ventilate the building

Aims & Backgrounds: The purpose of this study is wind-catchers site selection in the hot and dry climate of the country (Semnan province). Methodology:In terms of purpose, this research is applied. First, by reviewing the theoretical foundations, the initial list of indicators affecting the location of the windshield was prepared and reviewed and approved by the Delphi fan. Then, in order to find potential areas for windbreaks, a combined model was used. This model includes the Hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP) technique and the Geographic Information System (GIS). The tools used included ArcGIS software, version 9.3, and Expert Choice software, version 2004. Pair comparison method was used to weight the indicators and zones Findings Six indicators of sunny hours, wind, altitude, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were identified to locate the win-catchers. The relative humidity index with a weight of 0.38 had the highest score and the height index with a weight of 0.154 had the lowest score. The layer for each indicator was prepared and drawn for the eight cities of the province. Eventually; based on the scores obtained from the pairwise comparison of the indicators as well as the study areas, the priorities of the cities of Semnan province in terms of wind-catchers establishment are as follows: Semnan, Garmsar, Aradan, Sorkheh, Damghan, Shahroud, Miami and mehdishahr. Conclusion: Optimal location of windbreaks requires the combination of several indicators that make it possible to use the method of hierarchical analysis combined with GIS. The final model is practical and can be generalized to similar climates.