Search Results (89)

Rapid urbanization, excessive motorization, and the imperative to reduce carbon footprints are driving the search for sustainable urban space solutions. One promising approach involves the effective design of small-scale architecture, such as parking shelters, optimized for structural material consumption and resilience to vehicle impacts. This research employed a novel approach during the initial design phase. Genetic algorithms and optimization techniques were utilized to define the optimal geometries of steel structures, focusing on the height of the conoidal roof and the shape and arrangement of columns. The subsequent analysis included static and strength calculations, dimensioning, and evaluating structural responses to exceptional loading, incorporating novel impact scenarios. The analysis yielded several key insights into the structural efficiency, dynamic behavior, and design optimization of the shelters. The research revealed that both roof geometry and column shape and arrangement significantly influenced material consumption and design effectiveness. The findings indicated that shelters with four straight, vertical, non-corner columns exhibited the most favorable dynamic behavior and highest impact resistance. These shelters also facilitated easy parking for both single-module and double-module roof types. The research findings provide a foundation for the parametric design of functional and structurally resilient parking shelters that cater to urban transportation needs and ecological objectives. Full article

In China, retrofitting rural dwellings is a crucial step toward enhancing living conditions and lowering energy waste. One of the most important ways to enhance building performance is to retrofit the building envelope. The Qianbei Region’s (Northern Guizhou Province, China) rural dwellings are the subject of this study. It identifies the persistent issue of inadequate thermal comfort in local rural dwellings through indoor thermal environment measurements and questionnaire surveys. Using a parametric modelling tool (Rhino-Grasshopper-Ladybug Tools), multi-objective optimization was performed using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), with the types of external windows, walls, and roof insulation as optimization variables, and building energy consumption (E), annual thermal discomfort hours (TDT), and life cycle cost increment (ΔLCC) as optimization objectives. After the retrofitting, the building’s energy consumption was reduced from the baseline value of 96.41 kWh/m² to 42.40 kWh/m² (a 56% reduction), and the annual duration of thermal discomfort decreased from 6173 h to 5078 h (a 17.7% decrease). This resulted in a positive economic return, with a cost saving of ΔLCC = −56,329.87 CNY. The research proposes a scientific method for the energy-saving retrofitting of rural dwellings in the Qianbei Region, which also serves as a guide for the optimization of building performance in comparable climate zones. Full article

Reciprocal structures represent a category of spatial structural systems characterized by mutually supporting connections between components, which are primarily employed in roof systems and spatial frameworks. Insufficient stiffness is a critical challenge for the practical application of reciprocal structures in engineering. This study introduces a new cable-supported reciprocal structure, which integrates rigid beams and flexible cables through struts, inspired by the construction principles of beam string structures. By optimizing the force transfer path, the overall performance of the structure is improved. Through finite element analysis, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the static behavior and parametric analysis of this new reciprocal structure. The research results show that the rational determination of key parameters, including the rise/span ratio, strut height, and cable length, demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing the maximum displacement of this new reciprocal structure under uniformly distributed load. The stiffness of the new cable-supported reciprocal structure increases by 17% compared to that of the general reciprocal structure, while the total steel consumption decreases by 12%. The proposed new cable-supported reciprocal structure presents an innovative and viable configuration within the domain of reciprocal structures. Full article

As the operation of buildings becomes more efficient, the carbon emissions generated by other phases of the building’s life cycle should also be mitigated to address the climate crisis. In this sense, structural systems play an essential role in the total embedded carbon of construction. This paper presents an approach to the conceptual design development of truss structures based on material quantity and embedded carbon. For this, a multi-objective optimization process enables the integration of different criteria, such as structural performance, shape complexity, utilization ratio, and design rationalization. The procedure is implemented in Rhino/Grasshopper using a parametric model that the designer can adjust according to the project requirements. The procedure was applied to two study cases consisting of long-span roof structures. The results show that the mass and embedded carbon can be decreased by over 50% after implementing the present approach. They also indicate that material quantity and embedded emissions tend to increase when augmenting cross-section rationalization; however, displacements have the opposite response. Furthermore, it was found that some topologies perform better regarding the two first objectives (material quantity and embedded emissions). The proposed workflow allowed for the assessment of different rationalization levels of the design to maintain a reduction in these variables while enabling a more suitable truss for construction, helping improve the energy efficiency of buildings driven by a design rationalization perspective. Full article

In China’s northwest mining areas, shallow buried coal seams commonly feature double soft composite roof structures of mudstone and clay, resulting in poor roadway stabilization and proving challenging for effective roadway-surrounding rock (RSR) control. A mudstone–clay composite roof is particularly difficult to maintain due to the complex interactions between the soft rock layers and their sensitivity to moisture changes. Previous studies have investigated the properties of these soft rocks individually, but there is limited research on the behavior and control of double soft composite roofs. This study investigated the hydrophilic mineral composition and microstructure of mudstone and clay through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments. Through an orthogonal experimental design, the influence of the clay layer thickness, number of layers, layer position, and relative moisture content on the stability of a mudstone–clay composite roof was studied. The results revealed the following: (1) Kaolinite, the primary hydrophilic component, constitutes a high proportion of clay, while both mudstone and clay exhibit abundant pores and cracks under SEM observation; (2) The relative moisture content emerged as the most significant factor affecting roadway deformation; and (3) A combined support of bolts, a short anchor cable, and a long anchor cable effectively controls RSR deformation in the case of a double soft composite roof. The methodology combining comprehensive material characterization and systematic parametric analysis can be extended to the study of other complex soft rock engineering problems, particularly those involving moisture-sensitive composite roof structures. Full article

The rapid growth of photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity has driven advancements in photovoltaic technology, such as integrating PV panels into building envelopes. Temperature increases are known to negatively impact PV panel performance. This study investigates and optimizes the design of air-based cooling systems for PV roofs using experimental and numerical analyses, leveraging free natural convection for cooling. Experimental measurements included air inlet/outlet, PV panel, and roof surface temperatures. The primary parameters examined in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for the numerical study were the heights and widths of the air channels between the panels and the rooftop, with heights ranging from 25 mm to 75 mm and widths varying from 200 mm to 400 mm. There are good agreements between the numerical results and experimental measurements after model validation. The results reveal significant temperature non-uniformity across the surface of the PV panels, with a maximum temperature difference of 16.50 °C. The shading effect of the PV panels resulted in an average reduction in roof surface temperature by 12.90 °C. Parametric studies showed that changes in height had a more pronounced effect on cooling than in width. The optimal design was identified with a channel size of 75 mm × 400 mm, resulting in the lowest average PV panel temperature of 65.21 °C and enhanced temperature uniformity, with maximum efficiency reaching 11.54%. Full article

Urban green spaces, including green roofs (GRs), are vital infrastructure for climate resilience, retaining water in city landscapes and supporting ecohydrological processes. Quantifying the hydrologic performance of GRs in the urban environment for future climate scenarios is the original contribution of this research developed within the URCA! project. For this purpose, a continuous modelling approach is undertaken to evaluate the hydrological performance of GRs expressed by means of the runoff volume and peak flow reduction at the event scale for long data series (at least 20 years). To investigate the prediction of GRs performance in future climates, a simple methodological approach is proposed, using monthly projection factors for the definition of future rainfall and temperature time series, and transferring the system parametrization of the current model to the future one. The proposed approach is tested for experimental GR sites in Genoa and Rende, located in Northern and Southern Italy, respectively. Referring to both the Genoa and Rende experimental sites, simulation results are analysed to demonstrate how the GR performance varies with respect to rainfall event characteristics, including total depth, maximum rainfall intensity and ADWP for current and future scenarios. Full article

This article presents a new parametric method for shaping flat transverse frame structural systems supporting thin-walled roofs made of flat sheets folded unidirectionally and transformed elastically to various shell forms. The parameterization was limited to one independent variable, that is the stiffness of the support joints. For different discrete values of simulated stiffness, the surface areas of the cross sections of the tensile and compressed elements and the section modulus of the bending elements were calculated so as to obtain the optimized work of the frame and its elements in the assumed load environment. The developed method allows for optimizing the work of frames considered as flat bar structural systems of building halls, taking into account the ultimate and serviceability limit states. The operation of the method is illustrated with an example concerning the formation of a flat frame working under a load characteristic for buildings located in a lowland area in a moderate climate. The authors intend to successively extend the method with new types of frame systems so as to obtain increasingly accurate and universal models defined by means of an increasing number of independent variables. These parameters are related to different forms and inclinations of columns and girders, and different external load types. The successive increase in the parameters defining the computational parametric model of the frame requires the use of increasingly advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to describe the static and strength performance of the buildings shaped, which makes the proposed method universal and the created structural systems effective in various external environments. Full article

Steel is an important construction material in civil engineering. In addition, the building industry is one of the global economy’s largest sectors, responsible for one-third of the energy consumption and significant CO₂ emissions. For this reason, there is a need to design effective structures that are characterized by the lowest possible steel consumption. This article presents an approach to sustainability considerations in steel structures, namely the approach of shaping efficient steel canopies with modular roofs using genetic algorithms. The shed structures, which were designed based on a regular polygonal plan, were constructed from grid modules that were formed on the basis of the hyperbolic paraboloid (HP) units arranged radially, supported by the columns, and covered by metal sheets. The algorithmic definitions allowed for the creation of numerous variants of the structures with the adopted preliminary criteria and for the performance of genetic optimization in order to select the best results. Twenty-four kinds of structures were analyzed and compared, differing in the quantity of modules, module shapes, arrangements, and dimensions. This made it possible to observe changes in the efficiency of the structures depending on the form of the roof applied. As a measure of structural efficiency, the coefficient representing the mass of the shed structure per square meter of the covered area was utilized. The presented design approach and optimal solutions can be helpful in shaping more complex sustainable structures, for which the analyzed sheds constitute modules. Full article

This study demonstrates the benefits of comprehensive school building (SB) energy efficiency (EE) improvements through building envelope renovations, lighting upgrades, and changes to cleaner heat sources. The parametric study in the building energy simulation software was used to check the application of various interventions on the energy consumption of existing SBs while reducing CO₂ emissions with the most profitable return on investment (ROI). The energy savings from window replacements did not correspond with expectations. However, other measures such as the wall, roof insulation, and lighting modernization improved EE by up to 152 kWh/m² and 41 kg/m² CO₂/m² annually. The study also points to a significant trade-off between district heating (which reduces CO₂ but has a slower ROI) and other heating solutions. The results suggest that climate-specific insulation thickness and glazing type needs are required, and optimal insulation strategies are shown to improve EE by 48–56% and CO₂ reductions of 45–56%. Lighting replacement and biogas boiler use were both impactful. The findings support the importance of sustainable practices, which should stimulate educational awareness and environmental responsibility. This research presents actionable insights for EE and sustainable development from within educational facilities. Full article

The depletion of global resources has intensified efforts to address energy scarcity. One promising area is the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) roofs for energy savings. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 333 articles published between 1993 and 2023 in the Web of Science (WOS) core database to provide a global overview of research on solar photovoltaic (PV) roofs, with a particular emphasis on their energy-saving benefits. The analysis identifies current trends and future development trajectories in this field. Over the past three decades, research on solar PV roofs has shown steady growth, progressing from initial exploration to stable development. Key research themes include integrating renewable energy with building efficiency, the synergistic benefits of green roofs and PV systems, the design and practical application of PV-integrated roofs, and optimization techniques for parametric models. Future research will likely prioritize the efficient integration of PV components with roof maintenance structures, shifting from solely assessing PV component performance to evaluating the holistic performance of roofs and their broader impact on the built environment. This shift underscores the importance of improving the overall sustainability of the building. By aligning research efforts with these emerging trends, stakeholders can contribute to developing more effective and sustainable energy solutions for the future. Full article

Globally, building energy consumption has been rising, emphasizing the need to reduce energy usage in the building sector to lower national energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. This study analyzes the applicability of photovoltaic (PV) systems in enhancing the energy self-sufficiency of small-scale, low-rise apartment buildings. The analysis is based on a case study using Republic of Korea’s Zero-Energy Building Certification System. By employing the ECO2 simulation program, this research investigates the impact of PV system capacity and efficiency on the energy self-sufficiency rate (ESSR). A series of parametric analyses were carried out for various combinations of building-attached photovoltaic (BAPV) roofs and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) facades, considering the initial cost of BIPV facades. The simulations demonstrate that achieving the target ESSR requires a combination of BAPV roofs and BIPV facades, due to limited roof areas for PV systems. Additionally, this study reveals that BIPV facades can be cost-effective when their unit price, relative to BAPV roofs, is below 62%. Based on the ECO2 simulations, a linear regression formula is proposed to predict the ESSR for the case study building. Verification analysis shows that the proposed formula predicts an ESSR of 74.1%, closely aligned with the official ESSR of 76.9% certified by the Korean government. Although this study focuses on the case of a specific apartment building and lacks actual field data, it provides valuable insights for future applications of PV systems to enhance energy self-sufficiency in small-scale, low-rise apartment buildings in Republic of Korea. Full article

A steel–concrete composite beam bridge fully exploits the mechanical advantages of the concrete structure and steel structure, and has the advantages of a fast construction speed and large stiffness. It is of certain research value to explore the application of this bridge type in the field of railway bridges. However, with the rapid development of domestic high-speed railway construction, the problem of vibration and noise radiation of high-speed railway bridges caused by train loads is becoming more and more serious. A steel–concrete composite beam bridge combines the tensile characteristics of steel and the compressive characteristics of concrete perfectly. At the same time, it also has the characteristics of a steel bridge and concrete bridge in terms of vibration and noise radiation. This feature makes the study of the vibration and noise of the bridge type more complicated. Therefore, in this paper, the characteristics of vibration and noise radiation of a high-speed railway steel–concrete composite box girder bridge are studied in detail from two aspects: the theoretical basis and a numerical simulation. The main results obtained are as follows: Relying on the idea of vehicle–rail–bridge coupling dynamics, a structural dynamics analysis model of a steel–concrete combined girder bridge for a high-speed railroad was established, and numerical program simulation of the vibration of the vehicle–rail–bridge coupling system was carried out based on the parametric design language of ANSYS 18.0 and the language of MATLAB R2021a, and the structural vibration results were analyzed in both the time domain and frequency domain. By using different time-step loading for the vehicle–rail–bridge coupling vibration analysis, the computational efficiency can be effectively improved under the condition of guaranteeing the accuracy of the result analysis within 100 Hz. Based on the power flow equilibrium equation, a statistical energy method of calculating the high-frequency noise radiation is theoretically derived. Based on the theoretical basis of the statistical energy method, the high-frequency noise in the structure is numerically simulated in the VAONE 2021 software, and the average contribution of the concrete roof plate to the three acoustic field points constructed in this paper is as high as 50%, which is of great significance in the study of noise reduction in steel–concrete composite girders. Full article

It is in the preliminary design phase of a project that the designer makes decisions concerning the global geometry of the structure. When working with space frames, the choice of the frame topology is key for the structural behavior. It is difficult to find manuals that provide guidance on which of the most common topologies is the right one for the project, let alone in wood construction. In response to this shortcoming, the use of parametric software is proposed (Grasshopper build1.0.0007 and Karamba 3D 2.2.0.16-220828). The aim is to create a dynamic catalog that responds instantaneously to changes in the parameters to provide information on structural behavior, pre-dimensioning and metrics. With the display of all this information, the architect will have enough technical argumentation to choose or reject options. The proposal is developed through a case study: the early design and analysis stages of flat double-layer timber spatial frames as for rectangular medium-span roofs. Full article

In the midst of today’s energy crisis, carbon emissions from ice rinks in cold regions present a significant environmental challenge. The shape of an ice rink’s roof significantly influences these emissions. This study developed a methodology to quantify the carbon emissions of ice rinks and explained how their roof shapes impact emissions during the operational phase. Roof shapes were divided into the following three categories: flat, curved, and combined torsion shell. Carbon emission modeling was established and calibrated using the Ladybug + Honeybee platform, followed by regression analyses on the slope and curvature of each roof type. The findings indicate a robust correlation between the carbon emissions of an ice rink and the slope and curvature of its roof. Roof shape influences approximately 2% of carbon emissions during the operational phase of an ice rink. Among the various roof shapes, the curved dome roof demonstrates the most effective overall carbon savings, at a rate of 0.93% compared to the flat roof. Selecting an appropriate roof shape has significant carbon-saving potential for ice rinks. The findings of this study may serve as a valuable reference for the formulation of energy-saving design standards in cold regions. Full article