Effect of different surface treatments of the surrounding earth on thermal performance of earth-integrated buildings

The thermal performance of earth-integrated buildings can be suitably modified by appropriate treatment of the surrounding earth's surface (namely shading, wetting, blackening and glazing with cheap plastic sheets). The effect of these surface treatments on the thermal performance of a partially sunken room has been investigated for three different climates: hot and dry, hot and wet and cold and dry, typified by Delhi, Madras and Leh, respectivly.