TEMPERATURE VARIATION WITH ALTITUDE ACROSS SELECTED BUILDINGS AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF LAFIA, NIGERIA

Authors

  • Kamal G
    Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Lawrence P. C.
    Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Amara Y
    Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Thermal comfort , Altitude variation , Temperature stratification , Thermal gradient , Energy efficiency

Abstract

This physics-based study quantitatively investigates the contravention of the atmospheric environmental lapse rate within multi-storey buildings in a tropical savanna climate (Lafia, Nigeria; 8.480°N, 8.520°E), where indoor thermal gradients invert due to solar gain and stack effect. The aim was to measure the magnitude of vertical temperature stratification across seasons in two three-storey buildings (academic, residential). Using a calibrated infrared thermometer (±1.0 °C), temperatures were measured at three heights per floor (0.3, 1.2, 2.1 m) at 09:00, 14:00, and 18:00 h over the dry (February), early rainy (June), and late rainy (September) seasons. Results show a consistent positive gradient, peaking at 1.1 °C (Social Science) and 0.9 °C (Hostel) in the dry season, with upper-floor temperatures reaching 38.8 °C. The mean vertical gradient attenuated seasonally from 0.70 °C (February) to 0.40 °C (June) and 0.25 °C (September), a 64 % reduction, while the academic building exhibited a steeper annual gradient (0.45 °C) than the hostel (0.39 °C). The findings demonstrate that buoyancy-driven heat accumulation imposes a quantifiable thermal penalty on upper floors. Consequently, we recommend integrating specific passive physics controls: high-albedo (>0.7) reflective roofing, enhanced roof insulation (R-value > 3.5 m²K/W), and optimized cross-ventilation (target ACH > 15–20) to disrupt stratification and reduce dry-season cooling loads.

 

Author Biographies

Kamal G

Physics Department

Lecturer II

Lawrence P. C.

Department of Physics

Amara Y

Department of Physics

Dimensions

Abe, A. O., Adeniji, Q. A., Rabiu, J. A., Adelaja, A. D., Olayiwola, G. O., Otto, M. S. and Momoh, R. E. (2023). Altitudinal variation of temperature across some selected stations in Nigeria. FUNAI Journal of Science and Technology, 5(1), 1–9. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/funaijost/article/view/248296

Adebayo, A. A. (2014). Evaluation of thermal comfort conditions in selected university campuses in Nigeria. Int. J. of Env. Studies, 71(3), 401–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2014.891735

Adebayo, A., Oluwole, T. and Hassan, M. (2021). Thermal comfort evaluation in multi-storey classrooms in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Building Performance, 12(2), 45–56.

Adinna, E. N., Okolie, A. T. and Ogunjobi, K. O. (2009). Assessment of urban heat island and possible adaptations in Enugu urban using land surface temperature. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 2(2), 30–36.

Ahrens, C. D., Henson, R. and Samson, P. (2012). Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Alawadhi, E., Alqallaf, H. and Alhajraf, S. (2011). The effect of building height on outdoor temperature variations. Building and Environment, 46(12), 2517–2526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.06.019

ASHRAE (2021). Standard 55: Thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Bekkouche, S. M. A., Benouaz, T., Yaiche, M. R., Cherier, M. K., Hamdani, M. and Chellali, F. (2011). Introduction to control of solar gain and internal temperatures by thermal insulation, proper orientation, and eaves. Energy and Buildings, 43(10), 2414–2421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.05.023

Cengel, Y. A. and Boles, M. A. (2015). Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Dahlblom, M. and Jensen, L. (2014). Vertical temperature increase in multi-storey buildings. In NSB 2014: 10th Nordic Symposium on Building Physics (pp. 814–821). Lund University.

Dhaka, S., Mathur, J. and Garg, V. (2012). Combined effect of energy efficiency measures and thermal adaptation on air-conditioned buildings in warm climatic conditions of India. Energy and Buildings, 55, 351–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.08.032

Fanger, P. O. (1970). Thermal Comfort: Analysis and Applications in Environmental Engineering. McGraw-Hill.

Hailu, H., Gelan, E. and Girma, Y. (2021). Indoor thermal comfort analysis: A case study of modern and traditional buildings in hot-arid climatic region of Ethiopia. Urban Science, 5(3), 53. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5030053

Hamdani, M., Bekkouche, S. M. A., Benouaz, T. and Cherier, M. K. (2012). Study and effect of two rooms of buildings located in Ghardaia, Algeria. Energy Procedia, 18, 632–639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2012.05.077

Ibitolu, H. A. and Ogunjobi, K. O. (2021). Inter-seasonal dynamics of vegetation cover and surface temperature distribution: A case study of Ondo State, Nigeria. Int. Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sci., XLIV-4/W3-2021, 203–210. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-4-W3-2021-203-2021

ISO (2005). ISO 7730: Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment. International Organization for Standardization.

Jain, D. and Singh, S. (2019). Using infrared thermography in school building energy audits. Energy and Buildings, 183, 320–331.

Kakon, A. N., Foysal, M. A. and Ali, M. A. (2010). Outdoor thermal environment of an urban area in a developing country. Energy and Buildings, 42(10), 1723–1730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.05.008

King, L. E., Udo, S. O., Ewona, I. O., Amadi, S. O., Ebong, E. B., Emeka, C. N. and M.D. (2024). Trend and variations of surface air temperatures across selected eco-climatic zones in Nigeria. Trends in Renewable Energy, 10(2), 170–209. https://doi.org/10.17737/tre.2024.10.2.00172

Kovacs, P. and Hollands, K. G. T. (2018). Passive cooling techniques for energy-efficient schools. Renewable Energy Journal, 134, 652–661.

Lutgens, F. K. and Tarbuck, E. J. (2013). The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology (12th ed.). Pearson.

Nguyen, A. T. and Reiter, S. (2015). Passive design strategies for residential buildings in hot and humid climates. Energy and Build., 76, 406–420.

Ogunleye, A. O., Adeniran, J. A. and Akinola, O. O. (2020). Analysis of microclimatic conditions in Nigerian academic buildings. Building Research & Information, 48(4), 434–447. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2020.1722613

Oke, T. R. (1987). Boundary Layer Climates (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Ombugadu, A., Maikenti, J. I., Maro, S. A., Vincent, S. O., Polycarp, I. A., … (2020). Survey of mosquitoes in students hostels of Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 28(4). DOI: MS.ID.004691

Overby, H. and Steen-Thøde, M. (1990). Calculation of vertical temperature gradients in heated rooms. Indoor Environmental Technology, R9046(17).

Raunima, T., Laukkarinen, A., Kauppinen, A., Kiviste, M., Tuominen, E., Ketko, J. and Vinha, J. (2023). Indoor air temperature and relative humidity measurements in Finnish schools and day-care centres. Building and Environment, 246, 110969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110969

Tatum, J. (2025). 8.8: Adiabatic lapse rate. In Physics LibreTexts: Heat and Thermodynamics. Retrieved from https://phys.libretexts.org/

UCAR (2024). Change in the atmosphere with altitude. UCAR NCAR. Retrieved from https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/change-atmosphere-altitude

Wallace, J. M. and Hobbs, P. V. (2006). Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey (2nd ed.). Academic Press.

Zhai, Z. and Chen, Q. (2003). Solution characters of iterative coupling between energy simulation and CFD programs. Energy and Buildings, 35(5), 493–505.

Published

02-04-2026

How to Cite

TEMPERATURE VARIATION WITH ALTITUDE ACROSS SELECTED BUILDINGS AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF LAFIA, NIGERIA. (2026). FULafia Journal of Science and Technology , 10(1), 186-192. https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n1.693

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): Fulafia Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)

Section

Physical Sciences
Copyright & Licensing

How to Cite

TEMPERATURE VARIATION WITH ALTITUDE ACROSS SELECTED BUILDINGS AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF LAFIA, NIGERIA. (2026). FULafia Journal of Science and Technology , 10(1), 186-192. https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n1.693

Similar Articles

11-20 of 80

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.