Search Results (119)

This study develops and applies a climate-based, user-centred and data-informed framework to assess lighting performance in educational buildings through the integrated use of daylight, high-efficiency LED systems and smart lighting controls. The research was conducted as a case study in university classrooms in Madrid, Spain, using a mixed-methods approach that combined in situ illuminance measurements, climate-based simulations with DIALux Evo 12.1, lighting energy assessment and structured user-perception surveys. The main objective was to quantify the dynamic interaction between daylight availability, electric lighting demand and perceived visual comfort, while assessing the energy-saving potential of daylight-responsive control strategies. Results show that the existing LED systems meet current illuminance requirements, with calculated lighting power density values ranging from 4.38 to 12.47 W/m². However, the analysis also reveals that high daylight availability does not necessarily guarantee better lighting performance, since excessive or uneven daylight can generate spatial imbalance, glare risk, and reduced visual stability. Survey results confirmed a strong student preference for daylight and exterior views but also showed that visual task clarity and glare control remain essential for user-centred lighting design. Overall, the findings demonstrate that effective classroom lighting retrofits should move beyond LED replacement alone towards adaptive, daylight-driven and user-centred control strategies capable of reducing energy use while maintaining visual comfort in educational buildings under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Full article

Among the most critical structural deficiencies observed in existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings worldwide are inadequately detailed beam–column joint regions, often constructed without reinforcement. Despite extensive research, the numerical modeling of these critical components still remains a major challenge, as a robust and universally accepted modeling framework has yet to be established, especially when extensive nonlinear analyses have to be performed. This study specifically addresses how joint reinforcement detailing governs the transition between flexure-dominated and shear-dominated joint behavior in non-ductile exterior sub-assemblages, and evaluates whether and how a simplified macro-model can reliably reproduce these mechanisms at full scale. The seismic behavior of exterior RC beam–column joints without adequate transverse reinforcement was first investigated herein through a full-scale experimental program. Five sub-assemblages were tested under quasi-static cyclic loading with increasing displacement history. They mainly differ for beam and column longitudinal reinforcement amount and joint panel (light or null) reinforcement layout, with equal geometric and material properties. The experimental results are first investigated in terms of global response, damage evolution, and energy dissipation capacity, comparing their seismic performance with varying beam or joint reinforcement. Then, nonlinear analyses were carried out by using a computationally efficient macro-modeling strategy in the OpenSees platform to numerically reproduce the observed response. The joint panel behavior was idealized through an empirical quadrilinear rotational spring, whereas flexural and fixed-end-rotation contributions are mechanically defined. The simulations reproduced the global load–drift envelopes, stiffness deterioration, and post-peak softening branch with satisfactory accuracy, although some discrepancies can be observed in the pinching effect. Nevertheless, the comparison between experimental and full-scale numerical results confirms that the adopted model provides reliable predictions of the cyclic response of non-ductile RC joints, also resulting in suitable solutions for extensive analyses as required, for example, for large-scale studies. Full article

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the morphometric diversity of 172 Polish Koniks from the largest Polish breeding centers and to assess their genetic diversity by estimating the effective population size (N_e) and heritabilities (h²) of the studied traits. The animals were bred under a stable housing system. Horses of both sexes aged 3 to 24 years were analyzed. Each horse was characterized with 40 metric traits. Multifactorial analyses (PCA, DA) and the REML method were applied to reveal the exterior differentiation and the development of distinct morphometric types. The findings established that the metric traits with high discriminant power include sections constituting segments of limbs. The elongation of segments, especially the pelvic limb—which serves a driving function—may be associated with deliberate breeding efforts aimed at improving the motor abilities of these horses. Estimates of heritability were high for eight traits, including sternal height (h² = 0.81) and withers height (h² = 0.75), while the effective population size was N_e = 651. Although estimated with large standard errors due to the limited number of individuals studied, these results indicate the possibility of effectively conducting the genetic part of the conservation program for this breed. Koniks are a conservative breed, which creates an obligation for a comprehensive assessment of their current suitability for various forms of saddle and light draft use. Research using the methodology presented in this paper is worth repeating regularly to provide particularly valuable insights from a long-term perspective. Full article

To address the low utilization rate of straw and environmental pollution caused by traditional processing methods, this study developed a novel composite material based on straw for manufacturing outdoor furniture. Designed to achieve high-value recycling of agricultural waste and enhance the durability and sustainability of outdoor materials, the straw is treated with alkali and processed using an MDI curing system, with the addition of ZnO to enhance functional properties. Characterization of material properties was performed using contact angle measurements, UV-visible spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. The results indicate that a water contact angle of 93.51° was achieved for the composite material at a ZnO content of 6 wt.%, demonstrating excellent hydrophobicity. The introduction of ZnO reduced light absorption, indicating that the material exhibits superior stability in interior and exterior environments. The synergistic interaction between ZnO and straw fibers, along with the resulting active free radicals (·OH), endows this material with hydrophobic and UV-resistant properties. This composite material combines excellent mechanical strength with environmental friendliness, offering broad prospects in the field of sustainable outdoor furniture manufacturing. Full article

The retrofit of existing residential buildings plays a critical role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in the building sector. However, previous retrofit evaluations often fail to account for the age-related thermal and lighting requirements of residents in aging residential buildings, thereby overlooking the substantial behavioral heterogeneity that shapes retrofit effectiveness. This study evaluates the comprehensive performance of different building envelope retrofit strategies, considering occupants’ thermal and visual comfort, from the perspectives of energy efficiency, economic feasibility, and environmental sustainability. First, age-specific differences in occupancy patterns, thermal preferences, and lighting requirements between elderly and non-elderly comparison group occupants were systematically extracted from the literature. Then, a typical high-rise residential building was modeled in EnergyPlus to serve as the reference building, within which the differentiated occupant behavior models were implemented, and the pre-retrofit condition was defined as the baseline scenario. Next, six commonly applied exterior wall insulation materials and different glass configurations and window frames were parameterized and evaluated under varying insulation thicknesses and remaining building service life scenarios. Finally, the energy-saving performance, economic benefits, and carbon reduction potential of envelope retrofit measures were quantitatively assessed across three primary functional zones (bedroom, living room, and study), using area-normalized indicators. The results indicate that, in the retrofit of existing residential buildings, bedrooms and study rooms exhibit greater retrofit benefits than living rooms, primarily due to longer occupancy durations and higher heating demand. In terms of retrofit strategies, exterior wall insulation consistently outperforms window retrofitting in energy-saving potential, with energy-saving rates of approximately 3.2–4.3% depending on functional zone, material type, and insulation thickness. Among the evaluated materials, vitrified microbead insulation performs best overall in terms of energy, economic, and carbon benefits at 40–60 mm thickness. These findings support occupant-informed, low-carbon retrofit decision-making for existing residential buildings. Full article

Industrial workplaces, especially in vulnerable, hot, and arid developing countries, face major challenges in maintaining indoor comfort conditions due to the escalating problem of global temperature rise. This study investigates passive scenarios of adaptive retrofitting for a case study carpet and rug industrial plant in Cairo, Egypt to achieve indoor comfort conditions and energy efficiency. The research method included a Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) for the operational phase of individual work units through measurements and simulations to investigate indoor thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort conditions as well as air quality concerns. Thus, the study presents a set of recommendations for building unit(s) and collectively for the entire facility by applying integrated application of building envelope enhancements; optimized opening design, thermal wall insulation and high-albedo (reflective) exterior coatings for wall and roof surfaces. Comparing the modified case to the base case scenario shows significant improvements. Thermal comfort achieved a 16% to 33% reduction in discomfort hours during peak summer, primarily through a 33% increase in air flow velocity and better humidity control. Visual comfort indicated improvements in daylight harvesting, with Daylighting Autonomy increasing by 47% to 64% in core areas, improving light uniformity and reducing glare potential by decreasing peak illuminance by approximately 25%. Thus, the combined envelope and system modifications resulted in a 60 to 80% reduction in monthly Energy Use Intensity (EUI). The effectiveness of the mitigation measures using acoustic insulation was demonstrated in reducing sound pollution transferring outdoors, but the high indoor sound levels require further near-source mitigation or specialized acoustic treatment for complete success. Eventually, the research method helps create a mechanism for measuring and controlling indoor comfort conditions, provide an internal baseline or benchmark to which future development can be compared against, and pinpoint areas of improvement. This can act as a pilot project for green solutions to mitigate the problem of climate change in industrial workplaces and pave the way for further collaboration with the industrial sector. Full article

This paper develops a new exterior prefabricated composite wall panel composed of light-gauge steel studs, profiled steel sheet and steel fiber-reinforced concrete. To investigate its performance, static loading tests are conducted on five wall panel specimens. The failure modes, load–displacement curves and cross-sectional strain distributions of the specimens under uniformly distributed loads are obtained and analyzed. The influences of stud spacing, wall panel section configuration and loading patterns on the flexural performance of the composite wall panels are systematically examined. Relevant finite element models are established and comparative analyses are conducted between the test results and the numerical simulation results. A theoretical analytical model is developed for the composite wall panels and an approximate method for calculating deflection is proposed based on the principle of minimum potential energy. Full article

This study proposes a methodological approach to the redesign of a 1980s vehicle, the Lancia Beta HPE, integrating the TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and the Industrial Design Structure (IDeS) frameworks within the design process. The redesign process focused on both the external morphology of the vehicle and its propulsion system, aligning the outcome with contemporary trends in market evolution, societal shifts, and environmental considerations. The objective of the project was to reinterpret stylistic elements that were typical of 1980s automotive design through a contemporary lens, while incorporating characteristics of the current aesthetic of electric vehicles (EVs). A pivotal element of the research involved a comparative stylistic analysis of past and present vehicle design languages. This facilitated the identification of design guidelines for adapting formal and stylistic details to the electric mobility paradigm, with emphasis on contemporary aesthetics and energy efficiency. The transition from internal combustion to electric propulsion necessitated a comprehensive re-evaluation of the vehicle’s key exterior features, encompassing the front end, body shape, and lighting systems, in order to reflect a novel ecological identity and convey technological advancement. In order to inform stylistic choices, an in-depth exploration of electric propulsion principles was conducted, leveraging AI-based tools such as GPT to support TRIZ-guided problem-solving. Full article

CIE recommendations for architectural exterior illumination provide general guidelines for highlighting building forms, with emphasis on edges, curvature, and spatial layering. However, they do not explicitly address luminance contrast disposition—specifically, whether elements further from the viewer should appear brighter or if those closer should be more intensely lit. Inspiration for addressing this problem can be drawn from the principles of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, where techniques of working with light evolved from dramatic contrasts to more rational and balanced approaches, offering valuable models for contemporary illumination design. This study compares the principles of painting from that period with eye-tracking and survey-based methods to investigate whether the arrangement of luminance contrasts of illuminated building facades significantly influences viewers’ visual attention, aesthetic judgment, and perception of depth. The verification was conducted in two stages using three lighting variants of a selected architectural object. These variants differed in the luminance contrast distribution between surfaces closer to and farther from the observer, while maintaining a constant average luminance level across the entire façade of 10 cd/m². The first stage analysed visual reactions of 116 (out of 178) participants to luminance changes across the multi-segmented façade, presented in a darkened room on a luminance-calibrated display. The second stage involved a survey in which 358 participants were asked about their lighting preferences. Participants—including both design professionals and laypeople—exhibited consistent perceptions regarding how different lighting configurations affected their impression of the building. The results revealed that luminance disposition significantly influenced the perceived volume of the structure, particularly the sense of depth. Eye-tracking data also indicated a strong positive correlation between subjective aesthetic assessments and patterns of visual attention. Full article

Hakka traditional vernacular dwellings embody regionally specific climatic adaptation strategies. This study takes the Meizhou Guangludi enclosed house as a case study to evaluate its climate adaptability with longevity and passive survivability factors of the Hakka three-hall enclosed house under subtropical climatic conditions. A mixed research method is employed, integrating visualized parametric modeling analysis and on-site measurement comparisons to quantify wind, temperature, solar radiation/illuminance, and humidity, along with human comfort zone limits and building environment. The results reveal that nature erosion in the Guangludi enclosed house is the most pronounced during winter and spring, particularly on exterior walls below 2.8 m. Key issues include bulging, spalling, molding, and fractured purlins caused by wind-driven rain, exacerbated by low wind speeds and limited solar exposure, especially at test spots like the E8–E10 and N1–N16 southeast and southern walls below 1.5 m. Fungal growth and plant intrusion are severe where surrounding trees and fengshui forests restrict wind flow and lighting. In terms of passive survivability, the Guangludi enclosed house has strong thermal insulation and buffering, aided by the Huatai mound; however, humidity and day illuminance deficiencies persist in the interstitial spaces between lateral rooms and the central hall. To address these issues, this study proposes strategies such as adding ventilation shafts and flexible partitions, optimizing patio dimensions and window-to-wall ratios, retaining the spatial layout and Fengshui pond to enhance wind airflow, and reinforcing the identified easily eroded spots with waterproofing, antimicrobial coatings, and extended eaves. Through parametric simulation and empirical validation, this study presents a climate-responsive retrofit framework that supports the sustainability and conservation of the subtropical Hakka enclosed house. Full article

Infrared thermography, with its ability to obtain information remotely and without contact, is often applied as a valuable method for investigating the surface layers of historical buildings. In this paper, the results of applying infrared thermography during academic investigations of two Italian treasures—the Sanctuary of Vicoforte in Piedmont and the airship hangar in Augusta, Sicily—are presented. At the Sanctuary of Vicoforte, imaging was performed to evaluate the condition of the exterior finishes and interior frescoes, while at the airship hangar, imaging was conducted to detect cracks that are difficult to observe using visible-light imaging. Full article

To address the misalignment between conservation–development policies and villagers’ needs in traditional villages, this study identifies core demands through a questionnaire survey in 112 villages across three counties in Hubei Province, China. An evaluation system encompassing public facilities, infrastructure, exterior environment, interior environment, and village culture (23 indicators) was analyzed using the Kano model and Better–Worse coefficients (211 valid questionnaires). Results reveal the primary needs ranking: village culture > exterior environment > interior environment > infrastructure > public services. Key findings show villagers prioritize traditional building conservation, cultural identity, and roof improvement, while certain public service investments (e.g., water supply, signage, education) yield lower satisfaction. Notably, villagers are indifferent to lighting improvements. This indicates a deviation from past government priorities and underscores the necessity of integrating villager perspectives into “top-down” decision-making for sustainable village development. The findings provide practical guidance for habitat improvement and precise policy formulation in Northeastern Hubei. Full article

Before the development of 3D cadastre, cadastral systems were based on 2D representations, which now require transformation or updating. In this context, the first issue is that existing 2D rights are not aligned with recent 3D data acquired using advanced technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle–Light Detection and Ranging (UAV-LiDAR). The second issue is that point clouds of objects captured by UAV-LiDAR, such as fences and exterior building walls—are often neglected. However, these point cloud objects can be utilized to adjust 2D rights to correspond with recent 3D data and to update 3D building models with a higher level of detail. This research leverages such point cloud objects to automatically generate 3D rights and building models. By combining several algorithms, such as Iterative Closest Point (ICP), Random Forest (RF), Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Region Growing, the Polyfit method, and the orthogonality concept—an automatic workflow for generating 3D cadastral models is developed. The proposed workflow improves the horizontal accuracy of the updated 2D parcels from 1.19 m to 0.612 m. The floor area of the 3D models improves by approximately ±3 m². Furthermore, the resulting 3D building models provide approximately 43% to 57% of the elements required for 3D property valuation. The case study of this research is in Indonesia. Full article

Lecture halls are characterized by large spatial dimensions, deep floor plans, and high occupant densities. Lectures are typically conducted using multimedia and blackboard-based teaching, placing higher demands on the indoor light and thermal environment compared to standard classrooms. This study aims to simulate the interrelationships between multiple building envelope parameters and building performance, in order to improve visual and thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption in cold-region lecture halls. Based on seven key envelope parameters—including openable window area ratio, west-facing window-to-wall ratio, exterior insulation thickness, shading element spacing, angle and width, and window glass type—a multi-objective optimization framework was established. The optimization process targeted three key performance indicators—useful daylight illuminance (UDI), energy use intensity (EUI), and thermal comfort percentage (TCP)—in the context of a stepped classroom. The results show that increasing the thickness of exterior insulation and reducing the width of shading components contribute positively to photothermal comfort without compromising thermal and visual performance. Compared with the baseline design, optimized schemes that incorporate appropriate west-facing window-to-wall ratios, openable window areas, insulation thicknesses, and external shading designs can reduce annual energy consumption by up to 10.82%, and increase UDI and TCP by 12.79% and 36.41%, respectively. These improvements are also found to be economically viable. Full article

Based on the resource conservation requirements of GB/T 50378-2019 “Green Building Evaluation Standard”, this study constructed a BIM–Ecotect collaborative analysis model and proposed a “four-dimensional integration” green performance optimization method. Taking a high-rise office building in Wuhan as an example, a LOD 300-level Revit building information model was established, and a multidisciplinary collaborative analysis was achieved through gbXML data interaction. The lighting simulation results show that the average natural lighting coefficient of the office area facing south is 2.4 (the standard 85%), while in the meeting room area, due to the optimized design of the curtain wall, the average natural lighting coefficient has increased to 2.6 (the standard 92%). In terms of energy-saving renovation, a three-dimensional collaborative design strategy was adopted. Through the optimization of the envelope structure, the cooling load of the air conditioning system was reduced by 25.3%, and the heat load was reduced by 23.6% (the u value of the exterior wall was reduced by 56.3%, the SHGC of the exterior windows was reduced by 42.9%, and the thermal resistance of the roof was increased by 150%). The ventilation optimization adopts the CFD flow field reverse design, adjusting the window opening rate of the exterior windows from 15% to 20% to form a turbulent diffusion effect. Therefore, the air change rate in the office area reached 2.5 times per hour, and the CO₂ concentration decreased by up to 27.1% at most. The innovative adoption of the “composite sound insulation curtain wall” technology in acoustic environment control has increased the indoor noise compliance rate by 27 percentage points (from 65% to 92%). The above research data indicate that digital collaborative design can achieve an overall energy-saving rate of over 20% for buildings, providing a replicable technical path for enhancing the performance of green buildings. Full article