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Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 42842

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Jürgen Reichardt

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Guest Editor

Münster School of Architecture/Fachhochschule Münster, Leonardo-Campus 5, 48149 Münster, Germany
Interests: 3D-BIM Revit modeling; dynamic climate analysis; energy efficiency; sustainability; changeability; factory planning; steel structures; programming
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

What are the current digital and/or physical innovations driving sustainable architecture? What could be suggestions for a more holistic approach?”

The single efforts of esteemed experts could be digitally linked together for a synergetic approach. It is believed that this combined effort could be more productive than the sum of their individual issues.

Sustainable design parameters may be visualized as the genetic code of a building’s specific performance requirements—similar to the DNA of all living entities. This “Building DNA” could provide comprehensive “Performance" parameters, which further could be programmed to be SMART—sensible, meaningful, adaptive, realistic and time–cost effective.

Back in 2001, a highly networked, expertise-orientated, integrated design strategy of “Form Follows Performance” was coined in our offices and research centers in Germany, India and Sri Lanka, primarily for complex industrial projects and passive housing. In planning processes, “Virtual Twins” used state-of-the-art 3D-BIM modeling for architecture, structure and utilities integrated with dynamic climatic simulations and CFD analysis, sustainable parameters and cradle-to-grave lifecycle systems.

It is needless to mention that programming has become an all-important task, as specific parameters of geography, climate, topography, culture, process, technology and logistics are key forces driving innovative and integrated architecture from a very early stage. While we are shaping out “Passive” sustainable design solutions for site, volume, structure, envelope, and interiors, we are minimizing the need for “Active” utilities, if and where necessary.

In a nutshell, we strongly believe that our ecological responsibility lies in designing sailboats and not motorboats in architecture. A German government BMBF- and DAAD-funded program will culminate in a web-portal and app climatehub.online. Holistic design strategies and academic research will open a wider audience, a collaborative and deeper understanding of the topics on hand and a one-of-a-kind e-learning platform–program.

You may choose the Related Special Issue "Sustainable Design under Climate Responsive Environments" in Applied Sciences.

Prof. Jürgen Reichardt
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

BIM modeling virtual twin
dynamic climatical simulation
dynamic CFD simulation
changeability of building volumes
sustainability benchmarks
performance-based design
envelope-dependent forms
low-energy buildings
building design for adaptive comfort
cradle-to-grave lifecycle
active utilities in sustainable building
programming and building DNA

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 15510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Resilience of Citizens: Comparison between Thermal Sensation and Objective Estimation in Outdoor Spaces: A Case Study in Seville, Spain

by José Sánchez Ramos, Aurore Toulou, Mcarmen Guerrero Delgado, Teresa Rocío Palomo Amores, Daniel Castro Medina and Servando Álvarez Domínguez

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11676; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app122211676 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1502

Abstract

Sanitary issues, combined with the effects of climate change, emphasize the comfort of outdoor spaces in cities. Numerous comfort models exist and can predict thermal sensation. However, these comfort indices need to be validated in hot zones and quantify the neutral range considering people’s thermal resilience. The present study investigates the outdoor thermal comfort of people who live in hot areas and are accustomed to this and quantifies this effect. For that, predictions provided by the COMFA thermal comfort model were compared with the occupants’ perceptions given in the field campaigns’ questionnaires. The field campaigns were associated with on-site monitoring of local climate variables. It was observed that during the survey period, the entire space was predicted to be uncomfortable by the COMFA model. On the contrary, the results of the questionnaires showed that the most frequently encountered thermal sensations were distributed between the comfort zone and the hot zone. The proposed methodology has been designed to be used by other researchers, and it is adaptable to other outdoor thermal comforts such as PET or ITS. The comparison between the model’s predictions and the users’ responses to space highlighted the tendency of the COMFA to overestimate the thermal sensations. This work’s results allow extending the neutral comfort band from 50 W/m² (value of literature) to 80 W/m². So, the paper quantifies that the effect of the thermal resilience of the people increases the thermal band of comfort by around 60%. These results will allow an accurate assessment of the effectiveness of future mitigation solutions implemented to improve outdoor thermal comfort in other world areas. It is due to the propose of a higher neutrality range researchers or designers could achieve outdoor thermal comfort in effective and reliable ways, even in hot climates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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13 pages, 2281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facades-as-a-Service: The Role of Technology in the Circular Servitisation of the Building Envelope

by Juan F. Azcarate-Aguerre, Tillmann Klein, Thaleia Konstantinou and Martijn Veerman

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031267 - 25 Jan 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4137

Abstract

The servitisation of the built environment, through the implementation of product–service systems, is considered a promising business strategy to achieve a circular economy transition. This servitisation faces a number of practical challenges, among them the technological readiness and effective integration and application of existing and emerging products, manufacturing processes, and digital monitoring and management tools. The research builds on targeted literature review, and on a research-through-design approach based on full-scale pilot projects developed in an ongoing feedback loop between researchers, planners, and industry partners representing both the demand and supply sides of the façade industry in the Netherlands. The paper analyses the technical implementation challenges currently preventing the façade industry from adopting performance-based contracts. It then proposes the roles that existing and emerging digital design and engineering technologies, manufacturing processes, and asset management systems can play in the development, implementation, and fulfilment of such contracts. The paper proposes a multi-stakeholder, systemic model for the development and application of façade technologies capable of overcoming many of the technical implementation barriers to the delivery of performance-based contracts for integrated facades. From this it concludes that an effective development of building technologies should strategically align with the solving of economic and contractual challenges such as circularity-readiness, profitability, risk distribution, legal demarcation, performance monitoring, and residual value stewardship. The resulting framework provides a strategic and conceptual basis for the development of circularity-enabling façade technologies, accounting for the diverse and sometimes conflicting interests of the multitude of stakeholders involved throughout a project’s lifecycle. The framework aims to support planners, manufacturers, and builders accelerate the circular deep energy renovation of the built environment while also exploring new business opportunities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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15 pages, 2153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supply Chain Management and Big Data Concept Effects on Economic Sustainability of Building Design and Project Planning

by Tomáš Mandičák, Peter Mésároš, Andrea Kanáliková and Matej Špak

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11512; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112311512 - 04 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2143

Abstract

Building design and project planning face significant challenges in the 21st century. On the one hand, it is the requirement of building users. On the other hand, new possibilities and technologies contribute to the overall efficiency of construction projects. The progress of information and communication technologies is one of the most extensive opportunities that can significantly streamline designing sustainable buildings. The big data concept is increasingly being implemented in all areas of industry. The design of buildings and the entire civil engineering industry is where these processes are becoming automated with the help of information technology. Supply chain management based on information systems represents a great potential in the design of buildings and planning of construction projects in materials procurement. These facts lead to the assumption that the concept of big data and supply chain management systems can effectively influence the sustainable design of buildings. These technologies are expected to improve economic sustainability by reducing costs and shortening materials’ delivery time and construction time. The research is carried out on a sample of construction projects. The level of use of the concept of big data and SCM systems and their impact on economic sustainability in the form of parameters such as construction project costs, delivery time of materials and building construction were examined. Data collection took place through a questionnaire survey. Within the used methods, this research worked data-free but also scaled to the Likert scale. Data processing was performed using Pearson dependence and the use of a correlation coefficient. The main goal of the research was to analyze the impact of using the concept of big data and supply chain management on the cost of the building, the time of delivery of materials and the construction of the building. It was found that the use of SCM and BD has an impact on the monitored parameters, and the correlation rate is high. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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20 pages, 24007 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tailored Lace: Moldless Fabrication of 3D Bio-Composite Structures through an Integrative Design and Fabrication Process

by August Lehrecke, Cody Tucker, Xiliu Yang, Piotr Baszynski and Hanaa Dahy

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10989; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112210989 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2935

Abstract

This research demonstrates an integrative computational design and fabrication workflow for the production of surface-active fibre composites, which uses natural fibres, revitalises a traditional craft, and avoids the use of costly molds. Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are highly tunable building materials, which gain efficiency from fabrication techniques enabling controlled fibre direction and placement in tune with load-bearing requirements. These techniques have evolved closely with industrial textile processes. However, increased focus on automation within FRP fabrication processes have overlooked potential key benefits presented by some lesser-known traditional techniques of fibre arrangement. This research explores the process of traditional bobbin lace-making and applies it in a computer-aided design and fabrication process of a small-scale structural demonstrator in the form of a chair. The research exposes qualities that can expand the design space of FRPs, as well as speculates about the potential automation of the process. In addition, Natural Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (NFRP) are investigated as a sustainable and human-friendly alternative to more popular carbon and glass FRPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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20 pages, 5985 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Energy Performance and Integrated Optimization of Tubular Houses in Southern China Using Computational Simulation

by Jing Wang, Weijun Gao, Zhu Wang and Liting Zhang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(20), 9371; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11209371 - 09 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1320

Abstract

Chinese rural construction is currently booming, but faces considerable challenges in terms of energy performance. The objective of this research was to analyze the energy performance of tubular houses, which are a unique type of rural house in southern China, with a particular architectural form and environmental adaptations. Previous field measurements showed that there was much room for improvement, with both winter and summer cases requiring particular attention. Numerical simulations of the annual energy consumption were conducted using Open-Studio. The results show that various levels of reduction in energy consumption (varying from 1.6% to 30.5%) were achieved by combining different renovations. Among them, using solar energy with a sunroom was found to be the most effective approach, with an energy-saving rate of 28%, followed by the approach of attaching insulation to the walls and roof, with an energy-saving rate ranging from 13.2% to 30.5%. The integrated optimization measures had an energy-saving rate of 47.4% with a total renovation cost of CNY 41,143.1, and the payback period of investment was within five years. If a tubular house with improved thermal insulation can be inherited as a component in the process of urbanization, it will aid in energy conservation and natural ecosystem protection for southern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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16 pages, 3934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Full-Scale Field Test on Construction Mechanical Behaviors of Retaining Structure Enhanced with Soil Nails and Prestressed Anchors

by Hui Wang, Jianhua Cheng, Hujun Li, Zhilin Dun and Baoquan Cheng

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7928; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11177928 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1939

Abstract

Soil nailing combined with prestressed anchors has a good workability and is relatively cheap in constraining the horizontal displacement. Current research on the technique, whether theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, or model tests, was conducted under ideal working conditions. However, in fact, external disturbances, such as tensioning-lagging of the anchor, are very common and play an important role on stress and displacement. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out a field test considering the effects of external disturbances, which can obtain real and reliable data through real-time monitoring. In this paper, the impacts of the construction conditions on practical engineering are discussed based on in situ tests, and some reasonable suggestions for the upgrading of misbehaviors in the current construction situation are put forward. In particular, the influence features of soil predisturbance, excessive excavation, unloading on the surface of edges, tensioning-lagging of the anchor, and continuous rainfall on the stress–time curve of soil nails under practical working conditions are analyzed. Behaviors of three different retaining structures enhanced with (i) soil nails; (ii) soil nails and prestressed anchors without unbonded parts; and (iii) soil nails and prestressed anchors with a 2.5 m unbonded part were monitored during staged excavation to investigate the influences of (i) the prestressing force and (ii) the unbonded part of the prestressed anchors on the performance of the entire retaining system. Results show that (i) the prestressing force is the main factor affecting the stress and deformation of the composite retaining system, which is consistent with the existing literature; (ii) the variation of the magnitude and distribution of the soil nail force responding to the anchor prestressing force, however, showed no systematic trend; and (iii) the unbonded part of anchors, which was validated to be the main factor affecting the structural stability in dense materials in the existing literature, is found to have a minor influence in loose fill materials used in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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17 pages, 4385 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Novel Green Alternative for a Room Prototype Constructed with Entire Recycled PET Bottles and a Green Roof Composed of Waste Materials

by José de Jesús Pérez Bueno, Maria Luisa Mendoza López, Flavio Roberto Ceja Soto, José Luis Reyes Araiza, Rubén Ramírez Jiménez, Martha Elva Pérez Ramos and Alejandro Manzano-Ramírez

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7901; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11177901 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1660

Abstract

In this study, we propose a methodology for constructing a prototype room intended primarily for people with low incomes, allowing self-construction practices and upcycling of widely available waste materials in their original form. Mechanical tests were conducted on single bottles of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) filled with different materials as well as on entire PET bottle/concrete blocks. Higher strength was observed when the bottles were in a horizontal position. The mechanical performance of the construction solution adopted for the prototype was not tested, and therefore its structural adequacy was not proven. The insulating multilayer roof was composed of waste plastic bags, two layers of uncapped PET bottles of differing shapes and sizes, another layer of plastic bags, waste cardboard, soil from the site, and a top endemic plant green layer. The PET bottles used in construction were filled with clay from the site, although bottles filled with fly ash achieved better mechanical results. The bottles can also be used uncapped and empty, which would simplify the process considerably by reducing the filling stage. This can be considered to be the main proposal for this type of building. There were almost negligible solid wastes generated, since they were used in the multilayered green roof. From a top view, the prototype mimics the surroundings because the green roof incorporates soil from the site and endemic plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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23 pages, 4354 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Integrated SWOT-PESTLE-AHP Model Assessing Sustainability in Adaptive Reuse Projects

by Ioannis Vardopoulos, Evangelia Tsilika, Efthymia Sarantakou, Antonis A. Zorpas, Luca Salvati and Paris Tsartas

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7134; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11157134 - 02 Aug 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 14972

Abstract

In the recent past, sustainable development has been considered a major issue for urban and regional studies. Adaptive reuse appears to be a practical solution for sustainable urban development. Beyond and in addition to a conceptual base consistent with circular economy and sustainability principles, how do we know if adaptive reuse is actually sustainable, provided that it constitutes a multidisciplinary and multilevel process? The present study aims at evaluating, in as much as feasible quantitative terms, adaptive reuse practices sustainability. This was attained using a set of indicators, developed combining PESTLE (the Political, Economic, Technical, Social, Legal, and Environmental aspects) and SWOT (the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) approaches, of which the results were subjected to evaluation by experts (pairwise comparisons), following the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The indicators representing strengths and opportunities of the process were calculated to be of higher value (overall level of final cumulative indicators values; 70.4%) compared with indicators representing weaknesses and threats. Enhancing strengths and opportunities and counteracting weaknesses and threats contribute making the potential of adaptive reuse practices in urban sustainability more evident. Among analysis dimensions, political and economic aspects rank first, followed by environmental, socio-cultural, technological-technical, and legal aspect. The empirical results of this paper serve as a useful reference point for decision-making and policy formulation addressing adaptive reuse practices in sustainable development strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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19 pages, 3139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nano-Porous Silica-Aerogel-Incorporated Composite Materials for Thermal-Energy-Efficient Pitched Roof in the Tropical Region

by Fouad Ismail Ismail, Syed Ahmad Farhan, Nasir Shafiq, Nadzhratul Husna, Muhammad Taufiq Sharif, Syed Uthman Affan and Arul Kamal Veerasenan

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6081; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11136081 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2587

Abstract

Silica aerogel possesses an ultra-low thermal conductivity by virtue of its nano-structure. Owing to the fragility of monolithic aerogel, the development and production of aerogel-based insulation materials involve the incorporation of granular aerogel with other materials to form composite materials. In the present study, the application of silica-aerogel-incorporated composite cement paste as render on the roof-top surface is coupled with the installation of a novel silica-aerogel-incorporated composite insulation board below the roof tiles. Control and silica-aerogel-incorporated samples of the composite cement paste and insulation were prepared. Thermal conductivity and strength tests were performed on the samples. A simulation study was performed on a Building Information Model subjected to a tropical climate to project the resultant impact of the cement render coupled with the insulation board on the thermal-energy-efficiency of the roof. For optimization of thermal and strength performances, silica aerogel contents of 4 wt.% and 3 wt.% were selected for the cement render and insulation board, respectively. The projected annual cooling load and energy savings revealed that the application of a 20-mm cement render, coupled with the installation of a 100-mm thick insulation board, is recommended as the optimum roof configuration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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17 pages, 6987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of All-Wood Trusses with Plywood Nodes and Wooden Pegs: A Strategy towards Resource-Efficient Timber Construction

by Benjamin Kromoser, Matthias Braun and Maximilian Ortner

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2568; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11062568 - 13 Mar 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4100

Abstract

Timber truss systems are very efficient load-bearing structures. They allow for great freedom in design and are characterised by high material use in combination with a low environmental impact. Unfortunately, the extensive effort in design and production have made the manufacturing and application of these structures, in this day and age, a rarity. In addition, the currently mainly used steel gusset plates adversely affect the costs and environmental impact of the trusses. The authors’ goals are to optimise the design of timber trusses and to solely use wood for all building components. The two research areas, (1) optimisation of the truss geometry and (2) optimisation of the joints by using solely wood–wood connections, are addressed in this paper. The numerical optimisation strategy is based on a parametric design of the truss and the use of a genetic solver for the optimisation regarding minimal material consumption. Furthermore, first results of the tensile and compression behaviour of the chosen wood–wood connections are presented. The basic idea for the joints is to use a plywood plate as a connector, which is inserted into the truss members and fixed with wooden pegs. The housing of the new robot laboratory located at BOKU Vienna is considered a special case study for the research and serves as an accompanying example for the application of the research within the present paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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Review

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 2935 KiB

Open AccessReview

Calculation Methods for Construction Material Stocks: A Systematic Review

by Usman Nasir, Ruidong Chang and Hossein Omrany

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6612; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11146612 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3075

Abstract

This paper aims to critically review the current body of literature relating to the calculation methods of construction material stock. To this end, this study adopts a systematic literature review technique in order to identify the relevant studies. The findings revealed that the bottom-up and top-down methodologies were commonly employed by the reviewed studies. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the bottom-up approach should be utilized when dealing with small-scale areas or where more accurate results are required. The top-down method should be used wherein the research area is large, and the results could be estimated based upon assumptions and statistical data. Similarly, the demand-driven methodology should be used to find the material stock accumulation due to socio-economic factors. The study also found that the material stock results can be used as data for other research, such as waste management and embodied energy. Further, this paper proposes a conceptual framework to ease the process of calculating construction material stocks in different projects. The outcomes of this research shall be beneficial for future studies that explore the literature connected to the construction material stock and recommend methods and techniques that should be used to quantify the material stock. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Concept and Technologies of Sustainable Building Design)

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