scholarly journals Energy consumption and seismic retrofitting interventions in the architectural heritage: building performance simulations of a historical building in Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 282 ◽  
pp. 02099
Author(s):  
Mariangela De Vita ◽  
Raffaella D’Antonio ◽  
Antonio Mannella
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Seismic Retrofitting ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Architectural Heritage ◽  
Historical Building ◽  
Heritage Building

This study focuses on retrofit interventions that allow a seismic improvement of the Architectural Heritage whose critical aspects are conservation and enhancement of existing buildings. During the last decades, designers and researchers have invested in the technical development of seismic retrofitting interventions with the aim of improving the structural performances in a cost-effective way without sacrificing the aesthetical aspects of valuable buildings. Moreover, recent research on historical masonry provided important references and data on the advantages of these interventions in the Architectural Heritage protection. Despite the technological progress, seismic interventions in terms of environmental performance still represent a critical issue, so it is essential to assess their effects on energetic behaviour. The aim of the research is to evaluate the effects of most used seismic retrofitting interventions on energy performance of a masonry historical buildings. The Authors present and analyse the hypothesis of seismic interventions applied on the masonry of a historical building located in the town of L’Aquila and severely damaged by an earthquake that in 2009 struck Abruzzo County, in Italy. The study includes results of building performance simulations (BPS) of the entire building, carried out with the software “Design Builder”, which allows the assessment of the seismic interventions from the environmental point of view on the basis of the variation of energy consumption and the internal comfort.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional Thermal Mapping from IRT Images for Rapid Architectural Heritage NDT

Buildings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Efstathios Adamopoulos ◽  
Monica Volinia ◽  
Mario Girotto ◽  
Fulvio Rinaudo
Keyword(s):  
Optical Sensors ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Thermal Infrared ◽  
Architectural Heritage ◽  
Thermal Camera ◽  
Historical Building ◽  
Custom Made

Thermal infrared imaging is fundamental to architectural heritage non-destructive diagnostics. However, thermal sensors’ low spatial resolution allows capturing only very localized phenomena. At the same time, thermal images are commonly collected with independence of geometry, meaning that no measurements can be performed on them. Occasionally, these issues have been solved with various approaches integrating multi-sensor instrumentation, resulting in high costs and computational times. The presented work aims at tackling these problems by proposing a workflow for cost-effective three-dimensional thermographic modeling using a thermal camera and a consumer-grade RGB camera. The discussed approach exploits the RGB spectrum images captured with the optical sensor of the thermal camera and image-based multi-view stereo techniques to reconstruct architectural features’ geometry. The thermal and optical sensors are calibrated employing custom-made low-cost targets. Subsequently, the necessary geometric transformations between undistorted thermal infrared and optical images are calculated to replace them in the photogrammetric scene and map the models with thermal texture. The method’s metric accuracy is evaluated by conducting comparisons with different sensors and the efficiency by assessing how the results can assist the better interpretation of the present thermal phenomena. The conducted application demonstrates the metric and radiometric performance of the proposed approach and the straightforward implementability for thermographic surveys, as well as its usefulness for cost-effective historical building assessments.

Building performance in the context of industry pressures

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-543
Author(s):  
Craig Robertson ◽  
Dejan Mumovic
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Energy Gap ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the relationship between designed and actual building performance as represented in an Royal Institute of British Architects- and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers-backed web-based comparison platform and the industry perception of the pressures surrounding building performance assessment. European directives and UK Parliamentary Acts have resulted in a range of mechanisms aimed at encouraging monitoring of energy consumption, responsive management and evidence-based design. Web-based feedback platforms aim to feed evaluation data back to industry anonymously; however, there exists a range of barriers and disincentives that prevent widespread and habitual engagement with building evaluation. Design/methodology/approach – Using energy data from the CarbonBuzzweb platform and a series of semi-structured interviews, a mixed-methods study has been carried out. Analysis of the characteristics of the existing energy discrepancy between designed and actual performance shows where variance typically occurs. Interviews with industry actors presents a synopsis of the perceived and actual legislative and procedural pressures that exist in relation to building performance assessment. Findings – The conclusions of this paper identify weaknesses in the current legislative and incentivisation mechanisms with regard to targeting building energy performance and industrial pressures that hinder broader industry engagement with post-occupancy evaluation. Originality/value – The recommendations arising from this study are for adjustments to the existing legislative framework to increase participation in meaningful building energy evaluation targeted at the specifics of the energy gap and the motivations of industrial actors. This will specifically help to reduce building energy consumption and associated carbon emissions.

scholarly journals Analysis of basic building performance data for identification of performance issues

Facilities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (13/14) ◽  
pp. 801-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristan Gerrish ◽  
Kirti Ruikar ◽  
Malcolm Cook ◽  
Mark Johnson ◽  
Mark Phillip
Keyword(s):  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Historical Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Issues ◽  
Under Performing

Purpose The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of historical building performance data to identify potential issues with the build quality and operation of a building, as a means of narrowing the scope of in-depth further review. Design/methodology/approach The response of a room to the difference between internal and external temperatures is used to demonstrate patterns in thermal response across monitored rooms in a single building, to clearly show where rooms are under-performing in terms of their ability to retain heat during unconditioned hours. This procedure is applied to three buildings of different types, identifying the scope and limitation of this method and indicating areas of building performance deficiency. Findings The response of a single space to changing internal and external temperatures can be used to determine whether it responds differently to other monitored buildings. Spaces where thermal bridging and changes in use from design were encountered exhibit noticeably different responses. Research limitations/implications Application of this methodology is limited to buildings where temperature monitoring is undertaken both internally for a variety of spaces, and externally, and where knowledge of the uses of monitored spaces is available. Naturally ventilated buildings would be more suitable for analysis using this method. Originality/value This paper contributes to the understanding of building energy performance from a data-driven perspective, to the knowledge on the disparity between building design intent and reality, and to the use of basic commonly recorded performance metrics for analysis of potentially detrimental building performance issues.

scholarly journals Friction Stir Processing on the Tribological, Corrosion, and Erosion Properties of Steel: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Alessandro M. Ralls ◽  
Ashish K. Kasar ◽  
Pradeep L. Menezes
Keyword(s):  
Friction Stir Processing ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Passive Layer ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Friction Stir ◽  
Erosion Properties ◽  
Processing Techniques

The eventual material degradation of steel components in bio-implant, marine, and high-temperature applications is a critical issue that can have widespread negative ramifications from a safety and economic point of view. Stemming from their tribological, corrosion, and erosion-based properties, there is an increasing need to address these issues effectively. As one solution, surface processing techniques have been proposed to improve these properties. However, common techniques tend to suffer from issues spanning from their practicality to their high costs and negative environmental impacts. To address these issues, friction-stir-processing (FSP) has been one technique that has been increasingly utilized due to its cost effective, non-polluting nature. By inducing large amounts of strain and plastic deformation, dynamic recrystallization occurs which can largely influence the tribological, corrosion, and erosion properties via surface hardening, grain refinement, and improvement to passive layer formation. This review aims to accumulate the current knowledge of steel FSP and to breakdown the key factors which enable its metallurgical improvement. Having this understanding, a thorough analysis of these processing variables in relation to their tribological, corrosion, and erosion properties is presented. We finally then prospect future directions for this research with suggestions on how this research can continue to expand.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Impact of Different Variables on the Energy Demand in Office Buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5347
Author(s):  
José Luis Fuentes-Bargues ◽  
José-Luis Vivancos ◽  
Pablo Ferrer-Gisbert ◽  
Miguel Ángel Gimeno-Guillem
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Regulatory Systems ◽  
Energy Behaviour ◽  
Balance Energy ◽  
The Impact

The design of near zero energy offices is a priority, which involves looking to achieve designs which minimise energy consumption and balance energy requirements with an increase in the installation and consumption of renewable energy. In light of this, some authors have used computer software to achieve simulations of the energy behaviour of buildings. Other studies based on regulatory systems which classify and label energy use also generally make their assessments through the use of software. In Spain, there is an authorised procedure for certifying the energy performance of buildings, and software (LIDER-CALENER unified tool) which is used to demonstrate compliance of the performance of buildings both from the point of view of energy demand and energy consumption. The aim of this study is to analyse the energy behaviour of an office building and the variability of the same using the software in terms of the following variables: climate zone, building orientation and certain surrounding wall types and encasements typical of this type of construction.

scholarly journals Optimal Renovation Strategies for Education Buildings—A Novel BIM–BPM–BEM Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Hu
Keyword(s):  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Initial Cost ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Carbon Emissions Reduction ◽  
Building Information ◽  
The University

The aim of this paper is to propose a novel building information model (BIM)–building performance model (BPM)–building environmental model (BEM) framework to identify the most energy-efficient and cost-effective strategies for the renovation of existing education buildings to achieve the nearly zero-energy goal while minimizing the environmental impact. A case building, the University of Maryland’s Architecture Building, was used to demonstrate the validity of the framework and a set of building performance indicators—including energy performance, environmental impacts, and occupant satisfaction—were used to evaluate renovation strategies. Additionally, this novel framework further demonstrated the interoperability among different digital tools and platforms. Lastly, following a detailed analysis and measurements, the case study results highlighted a particular energy profile as well as the retrofit needs of education buildings. Eight different renovation packages were analyzed with the top-ranking package indicating an energy saving of 62%, carbon emissions reduction of 84%, and long-term cost savings of 53%, albeit with a relatively high initial cost. The most preferable package ranked second in all categories, with a moderate initial cost.

scholarly journals Energy Performance of Vertical Extensions on Old Buildings: Comparison between Architectural Membranes and Conventional Building Technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 390-400
Author(s):  
Paulo Mendonça ◽  
◽  
Monica Macieira ◽  
João Miranda Guedes
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Existing Building ◽  
Acoustic Insulation ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Membrane Envelope ◽  
The 19Th Century

This research aims evaluating in what measure the proposed refurbishment solutions with architectural membranes can benefit an existing building and provide an energy efficient alternative to conventional reference building technologies for vertical extensions. In order to do it, an old building from the 19th century, located in Porto (Portugal) is taken as case study. Both solutions are compared regarding thermal comfort, energy consumption for heating/cooling needs using numerical simulation, which allowed evaluating the project from the environmental point of view, based on the energy consumption. The proposed membrane alternatives include conventional and non-conventional thermal/acoustic insulation and a membrane envelope option with vegetation on its external skin. The paper argues that architectural membrane refurbishment solutions can constitute an energy efficient alternative to lightweight conventional ones.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the effects of thermal insulation levels on the energy performance of New Zealand office buildings- exploring the impact of building attributes on the performance of thermal insulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brittany Grieve
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Energy Models ◽  
The Impact

<p>This thesis explored the impact of thermal insulation on the energy performance of New Zealand air-conditioned commercial office buildings. A sample of calibrated energy models constructed using real building performance data and construction information was used to ensure that the results produced were as realistic as possible to the actual building performance of New Zealand commercial office buildings. The aim was to assess how different climates and building attributes impact thermal insulation's ability to reduce energy consumption in New Zealand commercial office buildings.   Driven by the ever increasing demands for healthier, more comfortable, more sustainable buildings, building regulations have steadily increased the levels of insulation they require in new buildings over time. Improving the thermal properties of the building envelope with the addition of thermal insulation is normally used to reduce the amount of heating and cooling energy a building requires. Thermal insulation reduces the conductive heat transfer through the building envelope and with a higher level of thermal resistance, the less heat would transfer through the envelope. Consequently, the common expectation is that the addition of thermal insulation to the building envelope will always reduce energy consumption. However, this assumption is not always the case. For internal load dominated buildings located in certain climates, the presence of any or a higher level of thermal insulation may prevent heat loss through the wall, increasing the cooling energy required. This issue is thought to have not been directly examined in literature until 2008. However, an early study undertaken in New Zealand in 1996 found that for climates similar or warmer than Auckland, the addition of insulation could be detrimental to an office building's energy efficiency due to increased cooling energy requirements.  The energy performance of a sample of 13 real New Zealand office building energy models with varying levels of thermal insulation in 8 locations was examined under various scenarios. A parametric method of analysis using building energy modelling was used to assess the energy performance of the buildings. Buildings were modelled as built and standardised with the current NZS4243:2007 regulated and assumed internal load and operational values. The effect the cooling thermostat set point temperature had on the buildings' energy performance at varying levels of insulation was also tested.   The study concluded that the use of thermal insulation in New Zealand office buildings can cause an increase in cooling energy for certain types of buildings in any of the eight locations and thermal insulation levels explored in the study. The increase in cooling energy was significant enough to increase the total energy consumption of two buildings when modelled as built. These buildings were characterised by large internal loads, low performance windows with high window to wall ratios and low surface to volume ratios. The current minimum thermal resistance requirements were found to not be effective for a number of buildings in North Island locations.</p>

scholarly journals An evaluation of the effects of thermal insulation levels on the energy performance of New Zealand office buildings- exploring the impact of building attributes on the performance of thermal insulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brittany Grieve
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Energy Models ◽  
The Impact

<p>This thesis explored the impact of thermal insulation on the energy performance of New Zealand air-conditioned commercial office buildings. A sample of calibrated energy models constructed using real building performance data and construction information was used to ensure that the results produced were as realistic as possible to the actual building performance of New Zealand commercial office buildings. The aim was to assess how different climates and building attributes impact thermal insulation's ability to reduce energy consumption in New Zealand commercial office buildings.   Driven by the ever increasing demands for healthier, more comfortable, more sustainable buildings, building regulations have steadily increased the levels of insulation they require in new buildings over time. Improving the thermal properties of the building envelope with the addition of thermal insulation is normally used to reduce the amount of heating and cooling energy a building requires. Thermal insulation reduces the conductive heat transfer through the building envelope and with a higher level of thermal resistance, the less heat would transfer through the envelope. Consequently, the common expectation is that the addition of thermal insulation to the building envelope will always reduce energy consumption. However, this assumption is not always the case. For internal load dominated buildings located in certain climates, the presence of any or a higher level of thermal insulation may prevent heat loss through the wall, increasing the cooling energy required. This issue is thought to have not been directly examined in literature until 2008. However, an early study undertaken in New Zealand in 1996 found that for climates similar or warmer than Auckland, the addition of insulation could be detrimental to an office building's energy efficiency due to increased cooling energy requirements.  The energy performance of a sample of 13 real New Zealand office building energy models with varying levels of thermal insulation in 8 locations was examined under various scenarios. A parametric method of analysis using building energy modelling was used to assess the energy performance of the buildings. Buildings were modelled as built and standardised with the current NZS4243:2007 regulated and assumed internal load and operational values. The effect the cooling thermostat set point temperature had on the buildings' energy performance at varying levels of insulation was also tested.   The study concluded that the use of thermal insulation in New Zealand office buildings can cause an increase in cooling energy for certain types of buildings in any of the eight locations and thermal insulation levels explored in the study. The increase in cooling energy was significant enough to increase the total energy consumption of two buildings when modelled as built. These buildings were characterised by large internal loads, low performance windows with high window to wall ratios and low surface to volume ratios. The current minimum thermal resistance requirements were found to not be effective for a number of buildings in North Island locations.</p>

Green Cloud Computing

2018 ◽  
pp. 114-136
Author(s):  
Indira K. ◽  
Thangavel M.
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Web Applications ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Efficient Solutions ◽  
Cloud Infrastructure ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Green Cloud

Cloud computing is a highly scalable and cost-effective infrastructure for running HPC, enterprise and Web applications. However, the growing demand of Cloud infrastructure has drastically increased the energy consumption of data centers, which has become a critical issue. High energy consumption not only translates to high operational cost, which reduces the profit margin of Cloud providers, but also leads to high carbon emissions which is not environmentally friendly. Hence, energy-efficient solutions are required to minimize the impact of Cloud computing on the environment. Thus, in this chapter, we discuss various elements of Green Clouds which contribute to the total energy consumption. The chapter also explains the role of Green Cloud Performance metrics and Green Cloud Architecture.

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