Influence of Ventilation Openings on the Energy Efficiency of Metal Frame Modular Constructions in Brazil Using BIM

Abstract

Construction projects demand a higher amount of energy predominantly for heating, ventilation, and illumination purposes. Modular construction has come into the limelight in recent years as a construction method that uses sustainable building materials and optimizes energy efficiency. Ventilation openings in buildings are designed to facilitate air circulation by naturally driven ventilation and could aid in reducing energy consumption in construction projects. However, a knowledge gap makes it difficult to propose the best dimensions of ventilation openings in buildings. Hence, the aim of this work is to empower the decision-making process in terms of proposing the best ventilation opening dimensions toward sustainable energy use and management in buildings. A novel framework is presented herein to evaluate the impact and propose the best dimensions of ventilation openings for metal frame modular construction in Brazil, using building information modeling. The ventilation openings were constructed and their dimensions evaluated in eight Brazilian cities, based on the bioclimatic zone (BioZ) classification indicated in ABNT NBR 15220: Curitiba (1st BioZ); Rio Negro (2nd BioZ); São Paulo (3rd BioZ); Brasília (4th BioZ); Campos (5th BioZ); Paranaíbe (6th BioZ); Goiás (7th BioZ); and Rio de Janeiro (8th BioZ). The study results show that the energy consumption of the same building model would vary based on the dimensions of ventilation openings for each BioZ in Brazil. For instance, modeling the same modular construction unit in the city of Rio Negro could consume around 50% of the energy compared to the same unit constructed in the city of Rio de Janeiro, using the small opening sizes based on the smallest dimensions of the ventilation openings. Similarly, modeling the construction unit in Curitiba, São Paulo, Brasília, Campos, Paranaíba, and Goiás could reduce energy consumption by around 40%, 34%, 36%, 18%, 20%, and 16%, respectively, compared to constructing the same building in the city of Rio de Janeiro, using the small opening sizes based on the smallest dimensions of the ventilation openings. This work could help practitioners and professionals in modular construction projects to design the best dimensions of the ventilation openings based on each BioZ towards increasing energy efficiency and sustainability.