scholarly journals Sustainable Innovation for Queensland's Housing Design: a Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Johnston ◽  
Mirko Guaralda ◽  
Sukanlaya Sawang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Prefabricated Houses ◽  
Insight Into

This research provides an assessment tool that assists the selection process of sustainability in detached suburban housing. It investigates the implications of using different design and construction methods including architecturally designed houses, developer housing and prefabricated houses. The study simulates one example of the three types of houses that have been chosen to fulfil a real client brief on a real site on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia. Criteria for sustainability assessment are formulated based on literature reviews, exemplar designs and similar research projects for which the houses can be adequately evaluated. This criterion covers aspects including energy use, materials and thermal performance. The data is collected using computer models and sustainability assessment software to compare and draw conclusions on the success of each house.Our study indicates that architecturally designed housing with prefabricated building techniques are a better alternative to generic developer style housing. Our research provides an insight into the implications of three key elements of sustainability including energy use, materials and thermal performance. Designers, builders, developers and home-buyers are given an insight into some options currently available on the housing market and how the choices made during early design stages can provide a more positive environmental impact.  

scholarly journals BIM and DfMA: A Paradigm of New Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9591
Author(s):  
Sepehr Abrishami ◽  
Rocío Martín-Durán
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Wide Range

The main goal of this study is to explore the adoption of a design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) and building information management (BIM) approach during the whole lifecycle of assets. This approach aims to tackle issues inherent in the design of traditional construction methods, such as low productivity and quality, poor predictability and building performance, and energy use, through the implementation of a BIM library of off-site components. In recent years, a renewed interest has been directed to the attempt to provide solutions to these urgent problems through the adoption of new advancements in technologies. However, while there are studies focussing on a BIM-DfMA approach, there is a lack of research regarding how this approach should be adopted during the whole lifecycle of the assets. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, defining an efficient way of developing a component-based BIM object library has not yet been included in any of the available studies. A mixed methodology approach has been used in this research. A conceptual framework was developed as the result of an extensive literature review to investigate new advancements in the AEC sector. Following the literature review, the framework was tested and validated through a case study based on the production and adoption of a BIM library of off-site components at the design stage of an asset. The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has recognised the necessity of a new approach that helps to resolve the well-known issues presented in traditional methods of construction. The conceptual framework and case study proposed presents a valuable new method of construction that support the implementation of a BIM and DfMA approach, highlighting their benefits. This framework has been created using many valuable and reliable sources of information. The result of this research supports the idea of a novel new construction method that focuses on a manufacturing-digital-driven industry, with the use of DfMA in a BIM-integrated approach. This novel method will add significance and be beneficial for a wide range of aspects in the construction sector, contributing to the theoretical and practical domain.

scholarly journals Application of a decision support tool for industrial and agricultural water reuse solutions in international case studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-418
Author(s):  
Kristina Wencki ◽  
Verena Thöne ◽  
Dennis Becker ◽  
Kerstin Krömer ◽  
Isabelle Sattig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Service Water ◽  
Assessment Approach

Abstract Treated wastewater is expected to constitute an essential part of the urban water cycle as an additional water resource in water-scarce or densely populated regions in the future. As decisions on the implementation of water recycling measures should always consider local conditions, the project ‘MULTI-ReUse: Modular treatment and monitoring for wastewater reuse’ has developed a comprehensive sustainability assessment tool, designed to support decision-makers in examining the technical feasibility, economic viability, ecological compatibility and social acceptance of alternative service water supply solutions at local level. This article describes the structure of this sustainability assessment tool and its underlying multi-criteria assessment approach based on 23 evaluation criteria. Already in the development phase, the tool was tested in a German and a Namibian case study. Both case studies are presented with a special focus on the technologies used and the results of the analysis with the sustainability assessment tool. Case study testing proved that the tool is applicable in various environmental and societal settings with widely differing climatic conditions, limited resource availability, for varying feed water qualities and water quality requirements. The comprehensive, straightforward assessment approach enabled the local users to identify the most sustainable supply system or strategy for their decision case.

Sustainability Assessment of Products: A Comparative Study of Sustainability Assessment Tools

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Borja ◽  
Javier Ávila ◽  
Marcelo López-Parra ◽  
Alejandro Ramírez-Reivich ◽  
Adrián Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Software Tools ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Potential Toxicity ◽  
Home Appliance ◽  
The One ◽  
Sustainability Assessment Tools

The number of existing tools, principles and approaches to assess sustainability in products is growing to meet industry and society needs. For those related to design and development in universities, research institutes and companies it is a fundamental issue to recognize features and details of the sustainability assessment tools in order to select the one that best fits their particular needs. This paper describes the outcomes of a product sustainability assessment carried out at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. The approach followed by the authors in this assessment was aimed at comparing the results provided by a set of software tools and a previous sustainability integrated-criteria tool developed by the research group. The main contribution of this paper is the insight on the software tools used and on the results of the assessment since the design point of view. The results of the assessment included metrics such as: carbon footprint, energy use, end of life potential, toxicity, eco-toxicity, human toxicity, recyclability, and others. In the first part of the paper, an introduction of the criteria and the software based tools for sustainability assessment used by the authors is presented. Then a justification of the tools used and an explanation on how the comparison was achieved are given. The product used as a case study and the results of its sustainability assessment are presented. The case study part is a home appliance subsystem. In the end of the paper conclusions, insights and further work are given.

scholarly journals Dynamic Sustainability Assessment Tool: Case Study of Green Biorefineries in Danish Agriculture

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7389
Author(s):  
Lelde Timma ◽  
Elina Dace ◽  
Troels Kristensen ◽  
Marie Trydeman Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Current Development ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Sustainability Analysis ◽  
Carbon Modelling ◽  
Temporal Aspects

In this work, a novel, dynamic sustainability assessment tool is presented and validated in a case study. This tool combines two methods—system dynamics (SD) and temporal soil carbon modelling. The case study for sustainability analysis of Danish agriculture and green biorefineries supply chains in Denmark is used. The development of the Danish agriculture sector is simulated and assessed in relation to the ecosystem’s carrying capacity until 2050, defined as 1.4 livestock units per hectare. The results show that under the current development, the agriculture sector would exceed this carrying capacity shortly after 2030. The results obtained from the dynamic sustainability assessment tool show a more precise and less optimistic projection of future development than the assessment using constant soil carbon modelling values only. The study, therefore, suggests that the use of the temporal aspects in the sustainability assessment should be included and further developed.

scholarly journals Sustainability at an Urban Level: A Case Study of a Neighborhood in Dubai, UAE

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4355
Author(s):  
Sundus Shareef ◽  
Haşim Altan
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
The United States ◽  
Design Variables

The United Arab Emirates is witnessing enormous growth and the sustainability attitude has become one of the most important priorities in this development. This paper aims to optimize the environmental sustainability of the Emirate of Dubai communities by adopting an existing community as a case study. The investigation of the case study is looking at sustainability levels that consists of two major factors in neighborhood sustainable design, such as livability and thermal performance. The strategy of enhancing and optimizing the communities’ sustainability starts with an approach to the applicable modifications and solutions to the existed community master planning, where the modifications cover the two main urban design variables; (a) building design, and (b) open and landscape areas. The effect of the adopted scenarios is analyzed to find the improvement in environmental and thermal performance. The study has adopted two computer software packages, namely CityCAD and Integrated Environmental Solutions—Virtual Environment (IES-VE), to undertake the assessments. Furthermore, factors of urban sustainability are evaluated using the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) neighborhood assessment tool. The results have shown that the environmental sustainability levels can be increased after the adoption of certain suggested scenarios, in order to mitigate the likely weakness indicated in the livability aspects, covering land-use diversity, accessibility, transportation system, green and landscape areas, and energy efficiency, and the case study community can be turned toward “Sustainable Community” by implementing recommended actions and modifications.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Repeating Thermal Bridges from Timber Frame Fraction in Closed Panel Timber Frame Walls: A Case Study from Wales, UK

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1211
Author(s):  
Francesco Zaccaro ◽  
John Richard Littlewood ◽  
Carolyn Hayles
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Thermal Transmittance ◽  
Timber Frame ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Thermal Bridges ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Calculating Repeating Thermal Bridges (RTBs) for Timber Frame (TF) closed panels that could occur in Offsite Manufactured (OSM) Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), such as exterior walls for nearly-to-zero operational energy dwellings to be constructed in Wales, United Kingdom (UK) is discussed in this paper. Detailed calculations for linear RTBs due to the TF components are often neglected when evaluating thermal transmittance (known as U-values hereafter). The use of standard TF fractions does not allow the designer to perceive their detrimental impact on RTBs and consequent U-values for exterior walls. With the increase of the thermal performance of exterior walls and as such lower U-values due to ever-tightening Building Regulations, specifically related to the energy use and carbon emissions from the space heating of dwellings, then the impacts of RTBs requires more investigation. By not calculating the potential of linear RTB at the design stage could lead to a performance gap where assumed U-values for exterior walls differ from manufacture to onsite. A TF detail from the Welsh manufacture has been chosen as a case study, to develop and apply a methodology using manufacturing drawings to evaluate TF fraction and their effect on the thermal performance.

scholarly journals Number of Financial Indicators as a Factor of Multi-Criteria Analysis via the TOPSIS Technique: A Municipal Case Study

Algorithms ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Vavrek ◽  
Jiří Bečica ◽  
Viera Papcunová ◽  
Petra Gundová ◽  
Jana Mitríková
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Efficiency Assessment ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Multi Criteria Analysis ◽  
Topsis Technique ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
Selection Of

Multi-criteria analysis is a decision-making and efficiency assessment tool for application in both the private and public sectors. Its application is preceded by the selection of suitable indicators and a homogenous set of variants, as well as suitable methods based on the nature of the input data. The goal of the submitted research is to highlight the importance of selecting suitable indicators using a case study assessment of the financial health of a municipality—more precisely, the efficiency of management of this municipality. Four key indicators, thirty-two homogenous subjects, and one multi-criteria analysis method were identified in this study based on the theoretical foundations of the specific issue. These elements were processed into a total of 14 variants depending on the number of assessed indicators. Then, these results were subjected to statistical verification alongside verification using the Jaccard index. Based on the acquired results, we highlight the need for correct and expert identification of the relevant sets of alternatives (the criteria matrix) and expert discussion, which should precede the selection of the assessed indicators and objectify this selection process as much as possible. Assessment based on a low number of indicators was shown to be insufficient, highly variable, and diverse, and these differences were partially eliminated as the number of assessed indicators increased.

Selecting the Optimum Collateral in Shipping Finance

2016 ◽  
pp. 295-327
Author(s):  
Dimitris Gavalas ◽  
Theodore Syriopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crises ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Bank Loan ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Economic Cycle ◽  
Identification Evaluation ◽  
Flexible Framework ◽  
Asset Selection ◽  
Insight Into

Banks select convenient loan collateral assets to secure the uninterrupted service of a loan facility. In the adverse case of a borrower in default, collateral assets provide critical last resort coverage for bank loan recovery. Nevertheless, collaterals may provide least protection when they are most needed. Recessionary economic cycle phases, unstable capital markets, liquidity constraints and financial crises amplify abrupt downward collateral value shifts. This, in turn, can result to outstanding loans being exposed to diminishing collateral values, substantially increasing the bank's asset-liability mismatch. This study proposes an integrated and flexible framework to support a preferential collateral asset selection process for lending banks. Two multi-criteria decision making methods are critically compared and evaluated, in order to gain insight into the identification, evaluation and ranking process of important quantitative and qualitative collateral selection criteria. Bank shipping finance is undertaken as an empirical case study.

scholarly journals Thermal Performance of Improved Charcoal Stove as A Clean Development Mechanism Project – A Case Study of Bauchi

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kafayat Adeyemi ◽  
Nasiru Lawal ◽  
Abraham Asere
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
International Workshop ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism Project ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Cook Stoves ◽  
Tier 3 ◽  
International Workshop Agreement

Improved cook stoves (ICS) are known to ensure efficiency in the use of traditional fuels, reduce smoke emission and associated health hazards during cooking and reduce cooking time. Another benefit of ICS is in mitigating the effects of climate change. This paper presents the thermal performance and achievable emission reductions by ICS for daily cooking in households aroundBauchi.It  evaluatesan ICS using the International Workshop Agreement (IWA) which rates cook stoves on four indicators (Indoor emission, total emission, efficiency/fuel use and safety) each indicator is rated along five tiers (0: lowest performing to 4: highest performing).The evaluation focused on efficiency/fuel use. The benchmark values for thermal efficiency, fuel use and energy use are 35%, 0.310kg and 7928kJ.This shows that the ICS offers modest improvements in fuel use and it is rated as a tier 3 ICS. A carbon savings of can be achieved on an annual basis assuming all rural and urban households in Bauchi employ ICS for their daily cooking.

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