Predictive method of the sky component in a courtyard under overcast sky conditions

The main aim of this article is to offer a predictive method to determine the most significant values of a sky component on the floor of circular or square courtyards of variable sizes under overcast sky conditions to be calculated quickly and precisely. Firstly, analytical geometry is used to calculate the sky component on the floor of the courtyards under study considering the variable height/width ratios. Empirical expressions are offered subsequently to fit the results obtained using analytical geometry, thus establishing the predictive method.

► Calculation of the maximum sky component on the floor of a circular courtyard. ► Calculation of the sky components on the floor of a square courtyard. ► Deduction of predictive methods of the above calculations to find a simplification. ► The predictive method is close to the calculation using analytical geometry.