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Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 32672

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Giovanna Acampa

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna Kore, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: appraisal; evaluation systems; costs; BIM; architecture; sustainable construction; teaching; cultural heritage; green building; sustainable architecture; energy efficiency in building; built environment; building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Moshe Tshuva

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Afeka College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
Interests: solving problems; energy efficiency; evaluation of pollution; mega-cities transportation challenges

Prof. Dr. Maurizio Nicolella

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Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering , University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Interests: maintenance; durability; LCA; LCC; materials; sustainability; maintainability

Dr. Tiziana Campisi

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: sustainable urban mobility; mobility management; first last mile logistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will consist of papers describing the state of the art in the scientific debate on the management of existing buildings and infrastructure. All over the world, the current trend is to preserve existing buildings and maintain infrastructure at a high level of efficiency. At the same time, their degradation is often increased by the effects of climate change, earthquakes, and landslides. Consequently, there is a growing interest in optimizing restoration and maintenance actions complying with budgets. From this point of view, it is important to understand the evolution of degradation. Monitoring systems, information models, and evaluation tools are key to facilitating data collection useful to optimize time, costs, and quality of interventions. Building and infrastructure models should be useful to enhance the management of our towns and to identify, analyze, and evaluate sustainable interventions to ensure a safe healthy and functional environment.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Management and maintenance of cultural heritage;

- Management of transportation infrastructure;

- Management of existing buildings;

- Life-cycle analysis (LCA) of buildings;

- Life-cycle analysis (LCA) of infrastructure;

- Economic evaluation tools;

- Building information modeling (BIM) for heritage;

- Building information modeling (BIM) for infrastructure;

- City information modeling (CIM);

- Impact of climate change on buildings;

- Monitoring models of degradation.

Prof. Dr. Giovanna Acampa
Prof. Dr. Moshe Tshuva
Prof. Dr. Maurizio Nicolella
Dr. Tiziana Campisi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Management Maintenance cost
Building infrastructure degradation
BIM
CIM
Evaluation tools
Monitoring system

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Performance Decay of Thermal Insulation and Related Influence on Heating Energy Consumption in Buildings

by Diana D’Agostino, Roberto Landolfi, Maurizio Nicolella and Francesco Minichiello

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2947; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14052947 - 03 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1876

Abstract

The External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) is one of the most common passive strategies to obtain energy savings in existing buildings. Despite previous studies dealing with ETICS durability in real building case studies or involving accelerated ageing tests in climatic chambers, little progress has been made in the knowledge of the long-term durability and energy efficiency of the system. In this work, following previous experiments on ageing cycles, different climatic chambers are used to accelerate performance decay by simulating the natural outdoor exposure to assess the thermal transmittance decay of a building wall. After evaluating through laboratory tests the decay of the thermal performances of grey expanded polystyrene sintered (EPS) and polyurethane, the results are applied to an existing building. The case study building is virtually located in three different Italian climatic zones and an evaluation in terms of thermal transmittance values and their influence on heating energy consumption is made by using the dynamic simulation software DesignBuilder. The results show no significant variations during ETICS service life; the thermal performances are reduced little over time and therefore there is an increase in consumption for building heating of about only 2% after a time t1 equal to 8 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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25 pages, 4444 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Disused Public Buildings: Strategies and Tools for Reuse of Healthcare Structures

by Lorenzo Diana, Saverio D’Auria, Giovanna Acampa and Giorgia Marino

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2361; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14042361 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2215

Abstract

The aim of this paper, in line with the 2030 European Agenda and 2021 Italian “Recovery and Resilience Plan” objectives, is to define an evaluation methodology and tool to support public administrations to detect buildings, currently unused or underused, that might be apt for transformation interventions. The focus is on historical Italian healthcare buildings since these show widespread decay and neglect. A five-step methodology has been developed: screening of public assets; classification, evaluation, and identification of buildings, based on the “potential index”; GIS mapping and inventory; selection of buildings for in-depth analysis; BIM digitization and definition of the “transformability index”. In the fifth phase, an evaluation tool is integrated into the BIM software to automatically calculate the transformability index of each building using six indicators: usability, fragmentation, modifiability, roof implementation, external envelope, and window-to-wall ratio. The “transformability index” helps define the most appropriate buildings to intervene with for reuse. Building transformation is connected to construction features and layout organization and it is limited by architectural, structural, and artistic constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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28 pages, 16078 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of openBIM for the Management of Existing Railway Infrastructure: Case Study of the Cancello–Benevento Railway Line

by Angelo Ciccone, Sabrina Di Stasio, Domenico Asprone, Antonio Salzano and Maurizio Nicolella

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2283; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14042283 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2706

Abstract

In the field of infrastructure, the development and application of the openBIM (open Building Information Modeling) approach and related standards (principally Industry Foundation Classes) remain limited with regard to processes in O&M (Operation and Maintenance) phases, as well as the broader context of AM (Asset Management). This article deals with the activities carried out as part of a pilot project based on the need to manage the operation and assess the condition and value of existing infrastructure along the Cancello–Benevento railway line. The principal goal was to systematize information by digitalizing the infrastructure, in order to enable the assessment of possible performance gaps (compared to national railway standards) in the event of integration within the national infrastructure. In compliance with the project requirements, a digitalization strategy was designed for the definition of surveying activities and the implementation of openBIM systems for the development of an object library and a federated digital model, structured within the collaborative platform that was used, and allowing management, maintenance, and subsequent financial evaluation in the broader context of asset management. The project involved the collaboration of railway operators, a university, and a software company that implemented innovative concepts concerning IFC (specifically, IFC4x2 was used) through the development of dedicated software solutions. The digital solution we proposed enabled the use of digital models as access keys to survey and maintenance information (ERP platforms used by the railway operators) that was available in real time. This project was nominated at the buildingSMART awards 2021 and was one of three finalists in the “Asset Management Using openBIM” category. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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25 pages, 4311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Durability Assessment of ETICS: Comparative Evaluation of Different Insulating Materials

by Roberto Landolfi and Maurizio Nicolella

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 980; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14020980 - 16 Jan 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2191

Abstract

The External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) is a common cladding technology that is widely used thanks to its well-known advantages. Despite previous studies dealing with ETICS durability in real-building case studies or involving accelerated ageing tests in climatic chambers, little progress has been made in the knowledge of the long-term durability of the system. In order to realize optimized maintenance plans for this component, the durability of the whole system, and of the most-used insulating materials for the ETICS (i.e., cork, polyurethane, rock wool, glass wool, grey EPS, and fiberfill wood), has been investigated. Based on previous experiments on ageing cycles, different climatic chambers were used to accelerate performance decay by simulating natural outdoor exposure in order to assess different physical and thermal characteristics (thermal transmittance, decrement factor, time shift, water absorption, thermal resistance, and conductivity). Recorded trends show that materials with lower thermal conductivity exhibit lower performance decay, and vice versa. The durability of the ETICS with different insulating materials (as the only variable in the different samples) was evaluated in order to quantify service life and then correctly plan maintenance interventions. Life-cycle assessment must take into account service life and durability for each material of the system. A higher durability of insulating materials allows for the execution of less maintenance interventions, with the loss of less performance over time. This study shows the physical and thermal behavior of the ETICS during its service life, comparing the differences induced by the most-used insulating materials. As a result of accelerated ageing cycles, the analyzed ETICS reveals a low grade of decay and measured performances show little degradation; for thermal conductivity, differences between the measured and the declared conductivities by technical datasheet were observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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20 pages, 3822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Qualitative Analysis of Risks Affecting the Delivery of Land Surveying Project Activities

by Usama Issa, Muwaffaq Alqurashi and Ibrahim Salama

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12645; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132212645 - 16 Nov 2021

Viewed by 2382

Abstract

Land surveying projects (LSPs) suffer from the effects of many risk factors on the time and accuracy of these projects. Using field surveys, the main objective of this study was identifying the major activities and risk factors associated with LSPs’ execution, as well as assessing and analyzing the effects of the risk factors on the LSPs’ time and accuracy. Furthermore, the study aimed to classify and determine the responsibility of each risk factor and evaluate the responsibilities. Four main activities were categorized and presented, including reconnaissance works, planning works, data collection works, and data adjustment works. Moreover, forty-three risk factors that control the main activities and affect the time and accuracy of LSPs were recognized. The probabilities of occurrences for the risk factors and impacts on the time and accuracy of LSPs were determined as well as their combined effects. Key risk factors that had high threats on LSPs and affect time and accuracy were highlighted as the most critical risk factors. Many correlations were determined among risk factors affecting LSPs’ activity groups and their various effects on time and accuracy. The responsibilities of the surveying crew (chief, surveyor, assistance, office engineer) for each risk factors were correspondingly defined. The results showed that “Data collection works” is considered the riskiest activity group in LSPs and most of the key risk factors belonged to this group. Around 25% of the LSPs face time overrun and do not meet the required specifications. On the other hand, the surveyor was found to be responsible for most of the risk factors and the office engineer was signified by the lowest responsibility, while the responsibilities for most risk factors were single responsibility and few were shared by only dual responsibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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17 pages, 1010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Repair Time of Finishing Works Using a Probabilistic Approach for Efficient Residential Buildings Maintenance Strategies

by Youngduk Cho, Sanghyo Lee, Joosung Lee and Jaejun Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12443; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132212443 - 11 Nov 2021

Viewed by 1608

Abstract

In general, the long-term maintenance planning of residential buildings is performed based on uniform repair times. However, in fact, various factors, such as the quality and user patterns, affect the performance of residential building components in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase. Hence, various residential building components are repaired at uncertain times, acting as a risk for the residential building maintenance plan. Therefore, an efficient maintenance plan should be established considering maintenance uncertainty. In this regard, this study aims to analyze the uncertainty of repair times for various finishing works in residential buildings based on a probabilistic methodology and outline the implications for the establishment of efficient maintenance strategies in these buildings. Hence, 47,344 repair data for 63 buildings in 12 public residential building complexes completed between 1991 and 2001 in the Republic of Korea were used for analysis. Before the analysis, a repair time matrix was constructed by classifying the finishing works in 25 types and setting service life times to 6–26 years. The repair time distribution for each finishing work was then derived. Results confirmed that basic repair time setting can be performed and various information for reasonable maintenance decision making regarding each finishing work can be provided through a probabilistic approach. The probabilistic approach can be used as a critical decision-making method because there is uncertainty associated with the repair time of each finishing work owing to the performance degradations of various finishing works due to complex causes. Although this study focused on repair time owing to data collection limitations, maintenance strategies with strategic flexibility can be established by developing probabilistic methods that simultaneously consider frequency and cost by securing additional high-quality cost data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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24 pages, 9122 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Transformability of Public Housing through BIM

by Giovanna Acampa, Lorenzo Diana, Giorgia Marino and Rossella Marmo

Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5431; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13105431 - 12 May 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2796

Abstract

Public residential buildings make a large portion of the European existing stock and they quite often require deep renovation interventions. A methodology for setting priorities and targeting regeneration investments should be defined relying on the increasing use of building information modelling (BIM) tools even for managing existing buildings. The aim of this paper is to integrate the evaluation process into BIM Revit software developing a specific plug-in, a Decision support system (DSS) that will help to identify the most appropriate flats to be transformed. It is based on measuring three indicators: Usability, Fragmentation, and Constructive Modifiability. Through their weighted average it is possible to obtain a final transformability score. The proposed approach has been tested on a case study chosen within the 1st P.E.E.P. (1st public plan for council and affordable housing) that has been approved in Rome in 1964. The results demonstrate that the transformability of apartments is related mainly to the Constructive Modifiability indicator and buildings with reinforced concrete frames show higher scores. A widespread application of such a methodology on large real estate portfolio may lead stakeholders involved in housing management investments in clear choices related to maintenance of buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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22 pages, 8447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BIM and IoT Sensors Integration: A Framework for Consumption and Indoor Conditions Data Monitoring of Existing Buildings

by Giuseppe Desogus, Emanuela Quaquero, Giulia Rubiu, Gianluca Gatto and Cristian Perra

Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4496; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13084496 - 17 Apr 2021

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 6777

Abstract

The low accessibility to the information regarding buildings current performances causes deep difficulties in planning appropriate interventions. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors make available a high quantity of data on energy consumptions and indoor conditions of an existing building that can drive the choice of energy retrofit interventions. Moreover, the current developments in the topic of the digital twin are leading the diffusion of Building Information Modeling (BIM) methods and tools that can provide valid support to manage all data and information for the retrofit process. This paper shows the aim and the findings of research focused on testing the integrated use of BIM methodology and IoT systems. A common data platform for the visualization of building indoor conditions (e.g., temperature, luminance etc.) and of energy consumption parameters was carried out. This platform, tested on a case study located in Italy, is developed with the integration of low-cost IoT sensors and the Revit model. To obtain a dynamic and automated exchange of data between the sensors and the BIM model, the Revit software was integrated with the Dynamo visual programming platform and with a specific Application Programming Interface (API). It is an easy and straightforward tool that can provide building managers with real-time data and information about the energy consumption and the indoor conditions of buildings, but also allows for viewing of the historical sensor data table and creating graphical historical sensor data. Furthermore, the BIM model allows the management of other useful information about the building, such as dimensional data, functions, characteristics of the components of the building, maintenance status etc., which are essential for a much more conscious, effective and accurate management of the building and for defining the most suitable retrofit scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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17 pages, 5074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Methodological Approach for Assessing the Safety of Historic Buildings’ Façades

by Giovanni Ruggiero, Rossella Marmo and Maurizio Nicolella

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052812 - 05 Mar 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1962

Abstract

Inefficiency in maintaining and managing architectural heritage threatens both heritage conservation and public safety. Damage related to collapsed building elements requires an investigation into the factors which cause these phenomena in order to prevent them and to mitigate their effects. This paper aims to define a methodological approach for assessing the risk to humans of falling bodies from historic buildings’ façades. The method is based on the identification of a group of parameters to assess façade’s hazards, vulnerability and public exposure. The results provide the identification of risk factors and related affecting parameters, proposing a synthetic indicator to quantify the risk. The proposal is original in the field of both maintenance planning and preventive maintenance, intending to preserve architectural heritage and public safety. The results lead to an easy tool, as a map, to prioritise risk mitigation interventions. Such a tool, if integrated into maintenance tenders, allows the evaluation, in the context of condition-based maintenance, of the need for interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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22 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applying the Depreciated Replacement Cost Method When Assessing the Market Value of Public Property Lacking Comparables and Income Data

by Enrico Fattinnanzi, Giovanna Acampa, Fabrizio Battisti, Orazio Campo and Fabiana Forte

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8993; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12218993 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3409

Abstract

The growing interest in the enhancement, management, and sale of public building stock has increased the importance of their valuation and, as a result, the need to identify suitable methods for estimating value that take into account their peculiarities. They often boast architectural features (interfloor distance, layout, finishings, types of wiring/heating systems, etc.) that make them ‘extraordinary’ assets; in some cases, these features also endow them with monumental and/or historical importance. Thus, when valuating, it is necessary to adopt suitable methods. Where comparable examples or income-based parameters specifically concerning buildings with special features are lacking, the Depreciated Replacement Cost (DRC) method is the only system that can be used to estimate their market value. This paper aims to show how the DRC method can be applied in this specific market. The theoretical part will be coupled with a practical section where the DRC method will be used to estimate the market value of an extraordinary landmark building in Rome (Italy), the Palazzo degli Archivi di Stato (the State Archives building), in the EUR district, sold by EUR S.p.A. group (formerly known as Ente EUR) in 2015. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

29 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Procedure for Ex-Ante Evaluations of Refurbishment Costs in Healthcare Facilities

by Raul Berto, Carlo Antonio Stival and Paolo Rosato

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7387; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12187387 - 09 Sep 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1474

Abstract

This paper focuses on the valuation of refurbishment costs for healthcare facilities. The determination of the more reliable approach for experimental verification is a research topic of great interest, especially because previous literature on the matter is limited. This study examines ex-ante cost valuations in the refurbishment of healthcare buildings while using similarity to estimate the costs that are based on the amount of already accomplished renovations. The methodology involved a desk analysis deter-mining the technical valuation of intervention needs, and similarity coefficient applications providing a refurbishment cost valuation. The application was conducted in the Friuli—Venezia Giulia Region in Italy, where hospitals show structural, layout, and plants deficits with respect to current regulations, and a technical deepening to identify critical issues is required to prepare a multi-year intervention plan. The case study results showed that this procedure requires little initial information to run analyses and its application can support investment budget planning purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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Review

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31 pages, 21032 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mortars with Recycled Aggregates from Building-Related Processes: A ‘Four-Step’ Methodological Proposal for a Review

by Federica Vitale and Maurizio Nicolella

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2756; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052756 - 04 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1679

Abstract

Because the production of aggregates for mortar and concrete is no longer sustainable, many attempts have been made to replace natural aggregates (NA) with recycled aggregates (RA) sourced from factories, recycling centers, and human activities such as construction and demolition works (C&D). This article reviews papers concerning mortars with fine RA from C&D debris, and from the by-products of the manufacturing and recycling processes of building materials. A four-step methodology based on searching, screening, clustering, and summarizing was proposed. The clustering variables were the type of aggregate, mix design parameters, tested properties, patents, and availability on the market. The number and the type of the clustering variables of each paper were analysed and compared. The results showed that the mortars were mainly characterized through their physical and mechanical properties, whereas few durability and thermal analyses were carried out. Moreover, few fine RA were sourced from the production waste of construction materials. Finally, there were no patents or products available on the market. The outcomes presented in this paper underlined the research trends that are useful to improve the knowledge on the suitability of fine RA from building-related processes in mortars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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