Overcoming the Perceptual Gap: Worldwide Perceived Comfort Survey of Earthen Building Experts and Homeowners

Earthen building materials are a critical future for sustainable construction because they are locally available, minimally processed, and waste-free. However, despite their advantages, earthen materials still face challenges for comprehensive implementation. First, their technical data vary significantly, making it challenging to quantify their true performance for different climates and environmental contexts. Second, people mistakenly perceive these materials as low-tech and poor in their performance. Lastly, building codes and standards do not comprehensively represent these materials worldwide. This work identifies perceptual barriers that hold back the broader implementation of earthen materials in order to ascertain possible solutions and assess the performance of earthen buildings and perceived comfort among primary resources such as practicing professionals and people who live in earthen houses. The results of an online survey of 126 earthen building experts and homeowners are presented, providing important insights regarding a range of barriers to, and motivating factors for, the implementation of earthen materials, as well as design and thermal performance aspects of existing earthen homes. The results of the surveys show that, of the various earthen building techniques, light straw clay requires the lowest maintenance, and construction of adobe and/or clay plaster encountered the least barriers to implementation. The energy performance of existing earthen homes show that all types of earthen materials reduce the need for cooling, in all climate zones. Insulation over earthen walls was shown to increase occupants’ perceived comfort levels, but only slightly. Additional results provide significant recommendations for future research on thermal performance and comfort guidelines for earthen structures. This study contributes to the development of environmental and policy measures that could be used by policymakers by synthesizing technical and environmental data and by identifying means of improving the perception of natural building.

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Thermal analysis and post construction verification

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation ◽

10.1108/ijbpa-12-2018-0098 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 51-67

Author(s):

Cormac Flood ◽

Lloyd Scott

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Thermal Performance ◽

Building Materials ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Research Project ◽

Content Type ◽

Thermal Transmittance ◽

Standard Calculation

Purpose The residential sector in Ireland accounted for 25 per cent of energy related CO2 emissions in 2016 through burning fossil fuels, a major contributor to climate change. In support of Ireland’s CO2 reduction targets, the existing housing stock could contribute greatly to the reduction of space-heating energy demand through retrofit. Approximately 50 per cent of Ireland’s 2m dwellings pre-date building regulations and are predominantly of cavity and solid wall construction, the performance of which has not been extensively investigated at present. Although commitment to thermal upgrade/retrofit of existing buildings may increase under future government policies, the poor characterisation of actual thermal performance of external walls may hinder the realisation of these targets. Thermal transmittance (U-values) of exterior walls represents a source of uncertainty when estimating the energy performance of dwellings. It has been noted in research that the standard calculation methodology for thermal transmittance should be improved. Implementing current U-value calculation methods may result in misguided retrofit strategies due to the considerable discrepancies between in situ measurements and calculated wall U-values as documented in the case studies carried out in this research. If the method of hygrothermal analysis were to be employed as a replacement for the current standard calculation, it could have significant implications for policy and retrofit decision making. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This research project analysed a case study situated in Dublin, Ireland. The case studies offer an account of the in situ thermal transmittance of exterior walls and link these to hygrothermally simulated comparisons along with more traditional design U-values. Findings The findings of this research identify discrepancies between in situ and design U-values, using measurement, hygrothermal simulation and standard method U-value calculations. The outcomes of the research serve as an introduction to issues emanating from a larger research project in order to encourage researchers to understand and further explore the topic. Originality/value It has previously been highlighted that moisture content is linked to the increase in thermal conductivity of building materials, thus reducing the thermal effectiveness and increasing the elemental U-value. Therefore, it is vital to implement reliable prediction tools to assess potential thermal performance values. This paper presents the findings of a critical instance case study in Dublin, Ireland in which an existing west facing external wall in a semi-detached dwelling was analysed, simulated and measured to verify the elemental wall assembly and quantify thermal transmittance (U-value) incorporating the major criteria required for building performance simulation.

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Solar Gain Influence on the Thermal and Energy Performance of Existing Mosque Buildings in the Hot-Arid Climate of Riyadh City

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13063332 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 3332

Author(s):

Ahmed Ali A. Shohan ◽

Hanan Al-Khatri ◽

Ahmed Ali Bindajam ◽

Mohamed B. Gadi

Keyword(s):

Thermal Performance ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Future Research ◽

Analysis Software ◽

Riyadh City ◽

Hot Arid Climate ◽

Reported Study ◽

Proper Design

The required cooling energy in buildings exceeds 65% of the total energy consumed inside buildings under the extreme climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. The proper design of buildings’ envelopes has a considerable potential in reducing such levels, especially in public buildings. The reported study evaluated the thermal performance of mosque buildings with focus on the solar gains through the envelope elements. Computer simulations were carried out using Thermal Analysis Software (TAS). In addition, the thermal and comfort votes of the worshippers in one mosque were collected. The findings revealed uncomfortable thermal conditions, especially during summer months. The required cooling energy ranged between 37% and 55% in the investigated mosques. Investigating the solar gains of the envelope elements of one mosque indicated that the roof is the largest contributor to solar gain, which highlights the potential for future research to explore new constructional alternatives with the aim of improving the roofs’ thermal performance.

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A Critical Review on Optimization of Cold-Formed Steel Members for Better Structural and Thermal Performances

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings12010034 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 34

Author(s):

Hao Liang ◽

Krishanu Roy ◽

Zhiyuan Fang ◽

James B. P. Lim

Keyword(s):

Thermal Performance ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

High Strength ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Future Research ◽

Total Energy Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Steel Members ◽

Cold Formed Steel

The construction and building sectors are currently responsible globally for a significant share of the total energy consumption and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The use of Modern Methods of Construction can help reduce this, one example being the use of cold-formed steel (CFS) construction. CFS channel sections have inherent advantages, such as their high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent potential for recycling and reusing. CFS members can be rolled into different cross-sectional shapes and optimizing these shapes can further improve their load-bearing capacities, resulting in a more economical and efficient building solution. Conversely, the high thermal conductivity of steel can lead to thermal bridges, which can significantly reduce the building’s thermal performance and energy efficiency. Hence, it is also essential to consider the thermal energy performance of the CFS structures. This paper reviews the existing studies on the structural optimization of CFS sections and the thermal performance of such CFS structures. In total, over 160 articles were critically reviewed. The methodologies used in the existing literature for optimizing CFS members for both structural and thermal performances have been summarized and presented systematically. Research gaps from the existing body of knowledge have been identified, providing guidelines for future research.

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Developing Double Walls System to Improve Building Energy Performances in Dry Tropical Climates

IRA-International Journal of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2455-4499) ◽

10.21013/jas.v16.n3.p1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

Etienne MALBILA ◽

Fati ZOMA ◽

David Y. K. TOGUYENI ◽

Chris-veenem Methushael COMPAORE ◽

Dieudonné Joseph BATHIEBO

Keyword(s):

Thermal Performance ◽

Building Materials ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Building Energy ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Building Envelope ◽

Public Preferences ◽

The People ◽

Materials Used ◽

Tropical Climates

This paper deals with building envelope thermal performance through a comparative study of the use of two types of construction materials, such as CEB and cement blocks, in order to introduce the use of double walls in sustainable buildings' construction. The building envelope participates in providing thermal comfort to users and in the optimal management of building energy consumption. This study begins with a survey of public preferences for building materials used in Burkina Faso. The results indicate that 76% of the people surveyed opt for cement blocks over local materials. Concerning the thermal and specific energy performance, three variants of building envelope were studied: CEB walls, cement blocks and the double-wall (CEB + Cement blocks). It appears that the CEB walls are more efficient than the cement block walls. The introduction of double envelopes leads to the thermal resistance of 357.37m².K/W and reduces the heat flow from 85.32% to 90.24% compared to the wall made with CEB and cement blocks. This approach, which consists in mixing construction materials for good thermal insulation, allows improving the envelope thermal performance and the overall building energy performance.

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The Impact of High-Rise Residential Building Design Parameters on the Thermal and Energy Performance: A Literature Review

Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal ◽

10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1717 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (11) ◽

pp. 81

Author(s):

Lobna Elgheriani ◽

Brian Cody

Keyword(s):

Thermal Performance ◽

Residential Buildings ◽

Publishing House ◽

Residential Building ◽

Building Design ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Design Parameters ◽

Future Research ◽

High Rise ◽

The Impact

Nowadays, high-rise buildings are developing very fast to cater to the increase in demand in major urban cities. This phenomenon has contributed to several environmental problems in both construction and operation. High-rise buildings design parameters seem to lack contextual environmental consideration. Evaluating the impact of such design parameters is a practical approach to enhance the overall energy and thermal performance. Existing research gaps are distinguished based on this review. Future research directions are also proposed through a methodological scheme to investigate comparatively, the effects of different geometric factors on both thermal and energy performance, specifically in the high-rise residential buildings with consideration to different climatic regions. Keywords: Energy Performance; Thermal Performance; High-rise Buildings; High-rise Residential BuildingseISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1717

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Current Postvention Research and Priorities for the Future

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000459 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 202-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Karl Andriessen ◽

Dolores Angela Castelli Dransart ◽

Julie Cerel ◽

Myfanwy Maple

Keyword(s):

Social Life ◽

Online Survey ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Future Research ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Intercultural Collaboration ◽

The Social ◽

The Future ◽

Suicide Bereavement ◽

Ethical Approval

Abstract. Background: Suicide can have a lasting impact on the social life as well as the physical and mental health of the bereaved. Targeted research is needed to better understand the nature of suicide bereavement and the effectiveness of support. Aims: To take stock of ongoing studies, and to inquire about future research priorities regarding suicide bereavement and postvention. Method: In March 2015, an online survey was widely disseminated in the suicidology community. Results: The questionnaire was accessed 77 times, and 22 records were included in the analysis. The respondents provided valuable information regarding current research projects and recommendations for the future. Limitations: Bearing in mind the modest number of replies, all from respondents in Westernized countries, it is not known how representative the findings are. Conclusion: The survey generated three strategies for future postvention research: increase intercultural collaboration, increase theory-driven research, and build bonds between research and practice. Future surveys should include experiences with obtaining research grants and ethical approval for postvention studies.

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Feeling Threatened by Immigrants: The Role of Ideology and Subjective Societal Status

10.31234/osf.io/6dw4y ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Bollwerk ◽

Bernd Schlipphak ◽

Joscha Stecker ◽

Jens Hellmann ◽

Gerald Echterhoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Social Dominance Orientation ◽

Survey Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Right Wing Authoritarianism ◽

Threat Perceptions ◽

Contextual Determinants ◽

Intergroup Conflicts ◽

And Gender

Threat perceptions towards immigrants continue to gain importance in the context of growing international migration. To reduce associated intergroup conflicts, it is crucial to understand the personal and contextual determinants of perceived threat. In a large online survey study (N = 1,184), we investigated the effects of ideology (i.e., Right-Wing Authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation), subjective societal status (SSS) and their interaction effects in predicting symbolic and realistic threat perceptions towards Middle Eastern immigrants. Results showed that ideology (higher RWA and SDO) and lower SSS significantly predicted both symbolic and realistic threat, even after controlling for income, education, age, and gender. Furthermore, ideology and SSS interacted significantly in predicting realistic threat, with higher levels of SDO and RWA enhancing the effect of SSS. In the discussion, we focus on the implications of our findings with respect to understanding societal conflicts, discuss methodological limitations, and provide directions for future research.

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