Modular Construction of Industrial Buildings and Lean Thinking—Identifying the Role of Daylight through a Case Study

Reviewer #1:

The authors made an interesting energy analysis. It is a pity that the authors did not include the measure of the inclination angle of the wall (roof slope) containing the openings among the architectural parameters (cf. Figures 1,2,3,4,5). After all, sawtooth roofs have various shapes, including those in which the roof slopes (walls) are not vertical (cf. Figures 1,2,3,4). The angle of inclination of the roof slope is an extremely important parameter in architecture. Then we would have a complete energy consumption analysis.

The authors agree with the reviewer that the inclination angle is an extremely important parameter in architecture. If the optimization analysis was including the inclination angle that could restrain the methodology in one place only. So, the author used more general parameters. Due to this valuable comment, we added a paragraph in discussion highlighting the importance of the inclination. We added also the explanation why this parameter should be future research. We added the following paragraph and also the following references:

“Despite of the inclination of the sawtooth roofs can have some influence on atrium daylight quality [50], it was not decided to investigate this parameter in the parametric analysis of the presented research. The optimization of the sawtooth inclination is strongly related also with the geographical position and the solar sun height, thus the 90o inclination was selected to exclude that factor. Most of the recent research uses the 90o inclination for sawtooth skylights [51, 52] in order that results to be compared with other future research works. Of course, this research can be a starting point for implementing the proposed methodology using other design parameters such as inclination, fabric coverage, daylight glare probability etc. “

·         Xue, Y.; Liu, W. A Study on Parametric Design Method for Optimization of Daylight in Commercial Building’s Atrium in Cold Regions. Sustainability 2022, 14, 7667. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14137667

·         Acosta I., J. Navarro, J. J. Sendra, Daylighting design with lightscoop skylights: Towards an optimization of shape under overcast sky conditions, Energy and Buildings, 2013, 60, 232-238, https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.01.006

·         Yun Kyu Yi, Amal Tariq, Jongpil Park, Dua Barakat, Multi-objective optimization (MOO) of a skylight roof system for structure integrity, daylight, and material cost, Journal of Building Engineering, 2021, 34, 102056, https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102056

Furthermore, the content, the references, the discussion and the conclusions were improved as the reviewer commented.

Reviewer #2:

1

What is the main question addressed by the research?   This study looks at the impact of lean thinking on improving daylight in industrial buildings constructed using modular construction techniques

The authors thank the Reviewer.

2.

Do you consider the topic original or relevant in the field? Does it address a specific gap in the field?   The originality of this work lies in the analysis leading to optimizing rooftop geometry for daylight maximization to achieve savings in energy costs.   

The authors thank the Reviewer.

3.

What does it add to the subject area compared with other published
material?   The development and application of the algorithm for rooftop optimization is the new addition to the published literature

The authors thank the Reviewer.

4.

What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the
methodology? What further controls should be considered?   For the current work, there methodology looks good. However, in future, they can further investigate the impact of different parameters such as angle of inclination etc. Furthermore, in this current study, they should discuss about effect of effect of angle of inclination on energy consumption and daylight improvement

The authors agree with the reviewer that the inclination angle is an extremely important parameter in architecture. If the optimization analysis was including the inclination angle that could restrain the methodology in one place only. So, the author used more general parameters. Due to this valuable comment, we added a paragraph in discussion highlighting the importance of the inclination. We added also the explanation why this parameter should be future research. We added the following paragraph and also the following references:

“Despite of the inclination of the sawtooth roofs can have some influence on atrium daylight quality [50], it was not decided to investigate this parameter in the parametric analysis of the presented research. The optimization of the sawtooth inclination is strongly related also with the geographical position and the solar sun height, thus the 90o inclination was selected to exclude that factor. Most of the recent research uses the 90o inclination for sawtooth skylights [51, 52] in order that results to be compared with other future research works. Of course, this research can be a starting point for implementing the proposed methodology using other design parameters such as inclination, fabric coverage, daylight glare probability etc. “

·         Xue, Y.; Liu, W. A Study on Parametric Design Method for Optimization of Daylight in Commercial Building’s Atrium in Cold Regions. Sustainability 2022, 14, 7667. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14137667

·         Acosta I., J. Navarro, J. J. Sendra, Daylighting design with lightscoop skylights: Towards an optimization of shape under overcast sky conditions, Energy and Buildings, 2013, 60, 232-238, https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.01.006

·         Yun Kyu Yi, Amal Tariq, Jongpil Park, Dua Barakat, Multi-objective optimization (MOO) of a skylight roof system for structure integrity, daylight, and material cost, Journal of Building Engineering, 2021, 34, 102056, https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102056

For future research the authors added also the following paragraph:

“Future research should focus on identifying the impact of selected industrial processes enveloped within the structural shell to better identify cooling and warming effects. Such work can lead to changes in the optimisation procedure as they might create the opportunity for larger openings or different arrangements proceeding to different optimal solutions based on the nature of the industry in question.”

5.

Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presentedand do they address the main question posed?   Yes, the conclusions are consistent with the research question.   Also, please briefly discuss the limitations of this study and how this work can be extended for further research in future studies.

The authors added text for limitations and extension of the current work for further research in future studies

For the inclination:

“Despite of the inclination of the sawtooth roofs can have some influence on atrium daylight quality [50], it was not decided to investigate this parameter in the parametric analysis of the presented research. The optimization of the sawtooth inclination is strongly related also with the geographical position and the solar sun height, thus the 90o inclination was selected to exclude that factor. Most of the recent research uses the 90o inclination for sawtooth skylights [51, 52] in order that results to be compared with other future research works.”

In new Discussion paragraph

“Of course, this research can be a starting point for implementing the proposed methodology using other design parameters such as inclination, fabric coverage, daylight glare probability etc. “

In new Conclusion paragraph

“Future research should focus on identifying the impact of selected industrial processes enveloped within the structural shell to better identify cooling and warming effects. Such work can lead to changes in the optimisation procedure as they might create the opportunity for larger openings or different arrangements proceeding to different optimal solutions based on the nature of the industry in question.”

6.

Are the references appropriate?   Yes, the references are adequately presented.

The authors thank the Reviewer.

7.

Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures.  Figure 3 provides very little useful information to the reader. The authors should consider replacing it with an easy-to-follow flowchart

Figure 3 was replaced with an easy-to-follow flowchart

New figure 3: Flowchart of the simulation process

Reviewer #3:

1

Line 54-69: The references you have used in this paragraph are more than sources other than scientific articles, so it is better to remove the “Previous research presented “.

The phase “Previous research presented” was replaced.

2.

Line 95-113: First, state the gaps in this field, then state the purpose of the research. You have first stated the purpose and then explained the reason for the current research.

The text in lines 95 -113 was properly reformed as reviewer suggested.

3.

Line 129: Table 1 needs the reference.

The references were added for Table 1.

Single-Storey Steel Buildings Part 1: Architect’s Guide, The design guide has been produced in the framework of the European project “Facilitating the market development for sections in industrial halls and low rise buildings (SECHALO) RFS2-CT-2008-0030” https://www.steelconstruction.info/images/d/da/SBE_SS1.pdf (Last accessed 12 July 2023)

Design of Steel Structures II (Web Course), Indian Institute of Technology Madras Prof. S. R. Satish Kumar, https://civiltechnocrats.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/design-of-steel-structures-ii-prof-s-r-satish-kumar-prof-a-r-santha-kumar.pdf (Last accessed 12 July 2023)

4.

Line 218-219: What was the reason for choosing this type of glass?

The following explanation was added in the text along with the corresponding reference

“By choosing this glazing type, the typical needs for the considered climate zones of the selected cities were met [42].”

Greek Energy efficiency regulation of buildings, N.3661/2017, TOTEE_20701-1/2017, ΚΕΝΑΚ

5.

Line 227: The type of referencing should be the same throughout the text.

The reference was reformed accordingly

6.

Line 223: Please correct “Figure 3”

Corrected

7.

Line 247: The text inside figure 3 is illegible

Figure 3 was replaced with an easy-to-follow flowchart

New figure 3: Flowchart of the simulation process

8.

Line 297: You should announce the results and discuss them further. You have included the discussion section with the conclusion in one section and yet the discussion within that section is also very weak. The results should be well discussed.

The paragraph 6. Discussion and conclusion paragraph was split in two different paragraphs. The new paragraph of discussion was enhanced.

9.

Line 351: The conclusion section should be reviewed in general.

The paragraph 6. Discussion and conclusion paragraph was split in two different paragraphs. The new paragraph of conclusions was enhanced.