Design and Construction of Optimized Light Tube for Application in High-Density Buildings

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Art and Architecture, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

2 Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

3 Department of Information Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
The utilization of natural light in buildings plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for occupants and reducing energy consumption. A light tube, as an innovative daylight transmission technology, enables the transfer of sunlight from roofs or side walls into interior spaces. This study aims to apply this technology in high-density residential complexes through the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of various light tube prototypes. Tubes with different dimensions and reflective materials were constructed, and their transmission efficiency was assessed under two conditions: in a laboratory setting with artificial light and in outdoor environments with natural sunlight. The results demonstrated that the tube dimension and quality of reflective material significantly influence the amount of transmitted light, and the integration of a collector at the tube entrance markedly improves system efficiency. The main innovation of this research is the proposal of incorporating smart louvered mirrors (multi-segment) with adjustable tilt and azimuth angles throughout the day (in spite of parabolic mirror) for light tubes. This strategy can substantially increase light transmission efficiency and provide an effective solution for improving daylighting quality and reducing energy consumption in sustainable architecture.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 September 2026

  • Receive Date 04 July 2025
  • Revise Date 01 October 2025
  • Accept Date 10 December 2025