BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-31DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010107
Yeonjin Bae, Donghun Kim, William Travis Horton
{"title":"Development of Building Design Optimization Methodology: Residential Building Applications","authors":"Yeonjin Bae, Donghun Kim, William Travis Horton","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010107","url":null,"abstract":"Building design optimization is a highly complex problem, requiring long computational running processes because of the many options that exist when a building is being designed. This paper introduces an integrated approach through which to perform this optimization within an acceptable time frame. The approach includes the methods of variable selection, model simplification, and a sequential optimization process. Using singular value decomposition, a large number of design variables is reduced to a smaller subset that can be solved more quickly through the optimization algorithm. To expedite the variable selection process, a modeling approach that quickly simulates annual energy consumption was developed to replace full annual energy simulations. The developed methodology was applied to two residential buildings in the US, and the results are discussed herein. To assess the accuracy of the integrated optimization methodology, the optimized life cycle costs are compaa variables demonstrating the strongest contributions in the optimization study were identified. The proposed methodology significantly shortened the time requirements for the optimization processes of the two case studies by 74% and 84%; the optimized life cycle costs were within 0.05% and 0.06%, respectively, of the optimum point.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 438","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139136763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-30DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010100
Anna Katarzyna Andrzejewska
{"title":"Determining Urban Indicators in Local Plans—As One of the Sustainable Assumptions of the New European Bauhaus?","authors":"Anna Katarzyna Andrzejewska","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010100","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of local spatial development plans in Poland is to shape spatial policy at the local level by establishing local law. On this basis, the intended use of land is determined, as well as the manner of its development. Some of the planning tools used are urban planning parameters and indicators, which are defined in planning documents at the local (commune) level. This article discusses the analyses of two selected urban indicators: the maximum built-up area and the minimum share of biologically active area, which are obligatorily determined in local plans. The issue here is a certain discrepancy between the planning provisions used in theory and their practical application. This paper uses a descriptive, computational, and comparative analytical research method to interpret the planning provisions used in selected Local Spatial Development Plans. This research will allow for answering of the following questions: Are the urban indicators defined by architects adapted to spatial needs? Do they allow for optimal shaping of this space, taking into account the provisions of Polish law? And is their skillful designation likely to be one of the sustainable assumptions of the New European Bauhaus?","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 27","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139141408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-30DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010102
Terri Peters, Cheng Zhen
{"title":"Evaluating Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Devices for Healthy Homes","authors":"Terri Peters, Cheng Zhen","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010102","url":null,"abstract":"In light of COVID-19, people are increasingly anxious about indoor air quality data in places where they live and work. Access to this data using a consumer-grade air quality monitor has become a way of giving agency to building users so that they can understand the ventilation effectiveness of the spaces where they spend their time. Methods: Fourteen low-cost, air quality devices marketed to consumers were tested (seven types, two of each product): AirBird, Airthings View Plus, Aranet4 Home, Awair Omni, Eve Room, Laser Egg + CO2, and Purple Air PA-1. The study focus was accuracy and useability using three methods: a low-cost laboratory setting to test accuracy for CO2; a comparison to a calibrated, research grade meter for particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, and relative humidity; and short-term field testing in a residential environment to understand the quality of feedback given to users. Results: Relating to accuracy, all devices were within acceptable ranges for temperature, relative humidity, and CO2, and only one brand’s results met the accuracy threshold with the research grade monitor when testing PM2.5. In terms of usability, a significant variation in response time and data visualization was found on the devices or in the smartphone applications. Conclusions: While accuracy in IAQ data is important, in low-cost air quality devices marketed to consumers it is just as important that the data be presented in a way that can be used to empower people to make decisions and modify their indoor environment. We concluded that response time, user-interface, data sharing, and visualization are important parameters that may be overlooked if a study just focuses on accuracy. The design of the device, including its appearance, size, portability, screen brightness, and sound or light warning, must also be considered. The act of measuring is important, and more studies should focus on how users interpret and react to building performance data.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 35","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139141673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-30DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010103
Yue Hu, Ziyi Lin, Sheng Jiao, Rongpeng Zhang
{"title":"High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development","authors":"Yue Hu, Ziyi Lin, Sheng Jiao, Rongpeng Zhang","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010103","url":null,"abstract":"High-density communities have proliferated globally during rapid urbanization. They are characterized by a high population density and limited per capita public spaces, making them susceptible to infectious disease risks. The impact of infectious diseases in these communities, as evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores their vulnerabilities. Yet, research on disease prevention in high-density areas remains limited. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the built environment and the transmission of infectious diseases in high-density urban communities, with a particular focus on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing Shenzhen city as a case study, this study collected data on the built environment and epidemic trends and involved a generalized linear regression analysis, aiming to understand the key built environment factors that affect epidemic spread in high-density areas. The results from the study revealed that high-density communities experience higher rates of infectious disease transmission compared to their medium- to low-density counterparts. The significant factors identified include land use mixture and walkability, with land use mixture showing the most substantial impact on infection rates. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and empirical research, we constructed a conceptual framework linking containment measures, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and the built environment. The findings emphasize the significance to focus on the health development of high-density communities and offer valuable insights for tailored urban planning and built environment design. These insights are crucial for promoting the healthy and sustainable transformation of existing high-density communities.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139138865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aeolian Vibration Dynamic Analysis of Large-Span, Relaxed Antenna Cable Net Based on Finite Particle Method","authors":"Qin Kai, Zhao Fan, Luoyao Zhi, Fang Bin, Chenshang Yuan","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010105","url":null,"abstract":"The large-span, relaxed antenna network is a large deformation flexible structure due to its low pre-tension level of the wires. Its dynamic analysis under a wind load belongs to dynamic and geometric nonlinear problems, which is very complex to accurately calculate and solve. This paper explores the possibility of the finite particle method (FPM) to the aeolian vibration analysis of a large-span, low stress-tensioned antenna cable net. In the FPM, the antenna network structure is discretized into a group of finite particles, where the motions of all particles follow Newton’s second law and can be solved dynamically using a central difference scheme. The effectiveness and applicability of the FPM were verified by comparing the calculation results of the finite element method and FPM. The FPM was used to study the effects of wind speed and the distribution of vibration on the aeolian vibration of antenna cable nets. The results showed that this method is suitable for studying the aeolian vibration of a large-span, low stress-tensioned antenna network and has high computational efficiency and accuracy.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139137920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-30DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010101
Xian Ji, Yu Du, Qi Li
{"title":"Prioritizing Subway Station Entrance Attributes to Optimize Passenger Satisfaction in Cold Climate Zones: Integrating Gradient Boosting Decision Trees with Asymmetric Impact-Performance Analysis","authors":"Xian Ji, Yu Du, Qi Li","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010101","url":null,"abstract":"Subway station entrances serve as crucial links between urban environments and underground transit systems and are particularly vital in cities with cold climates. Specialized design strategies are essential to address user needs and promote safety and comfort, thereby encouraging sustainable travel in harsh winter conditions. This research utilizes data from Harbin and Shenyang, two winter cities in China, to explore the nonlinear influences of subway entrance attributes on passenger satisfaction through the combined use of gradient-boosting decision trees and asymmetric impact-performance analysis. The findings indicate that most key attributes of subway entrances impact passenger satisfaction asymmetrically, highlighting the significance of their hierarchical importance in generating satisfaction. These attributes are categorized into frustrators, dissatisfiers, hybrids, satisfiers, and delighters, based on their asymmetry levels. Considering the current performance of these attributes, the study identifies priority for improvement at Harbin and Shenyang’s subway entrances. This aids urban designers and city managers in making informed decisions for urban development and enhancing the overall commuter experience in winter cities.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 43","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139139097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010095
Usman Masood, M. Haggag, Ahmed Hassan, Mohammad Laghari
{"title":"Evaluation of Phase Change Materials for Pre-Cooling of Supply Air into Air Conditioning Systems in Extremely Hot Climates","authors":"Usman Masood, M. Haggag, Ahmed Hassan, Mohammad Laghari","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010095","url":null,"abstract":"This research investigates the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal energy storage (TES) unit-based cooling systems to increase the efficiency of air conditioners (ACs) by reducing the air inlet temperature. This study aims to evaluate different configurations of PCM enclosures, and different PCMs (paraffin and salt hydrate), by changing the speed of inlet air to achieve heat reduction of inlet air. The study includes experimental and simulation investigations. Every configuration simulates the hot-season atmospheric conditions of the UAE. A duct containing enclosures of paraffin RT-31 and salt hydrate (calcium chloride hexahydrate) was used for the simulation study using ANSYS/Fluent. A conjugate heat transfer model employing an enthalpy-based formulation is developed to predict the optimized PCM number of series and optimum airflow rate. Four designs of the AC duct were modelled and evaluated that contained one to four series of PCM containers subjected to different levels of supplied air velocities ranging from 1 m/s–4 m/s. The simulation study revealed that employing four series (Design 4) of PCM enclosures at a low air velocity of 1 m/s enhanced the pre-cooling performance and reduced the outlet air temperature to 33 °C, yielding a temperature drop up to 13 °C. The performance of salt hydrate (calcium chloride hexahydrate) was observed to be better than paraffin (RT-31) in terms of the cooling effect. Characterization of paraffin wax (RT-31) and salt hydrate was performed to establish the thermophysical properties. The experimental setup based on a duct with integrated PCM enclosures was studied. The experiment was repeated for three days as the repeatability test incorporating RT-31 as the PCM and a 3 °C maximum temperature drop was observed. The drop in the outlet air temperature of the duct system quantifies the cooling effect. Net heat reduction was around 16%.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 45","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139144176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010094
Weihao Hao, Abel Tablada, Xuepeng Shi, Lijun Wang, Xi Meng
{"title":"Efficiency Analysis of the Photovoltaic Shading and Vertical Farming System by Employing the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Method","authors":"Weihao Hao, Abel Tablada, Xuepeng Shi, Lijun Wang, Xi Meng","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010094","url":null,"abstract":"Productive facades, consisting of photovoltaic shading and vertical farming systems, have been proposed as a means to improve the thermal and visual status of residential buildings while also maintaining energy performance and providing vegetables. However, how to quickly and accurately predict electricity and vegetable output during the numerous influencing architectural and environmental factors is one of the key issues in the early stages of design, and few studies have investigated the impact of such structures on both indoor environmental qualities and production performance. In this paper, we present a novel prediction method that uses experimental data to train and test an artificial neural network (ANN). The results indicated that using the Bipolar Sigmoid activation function to process the experimental data input to the artificial neuron network gives more accurate predicted results both in the yield of photovoltaic shading and vertical farming systems. In addition, this prediction method was applied to a typical high-rise residential building in Singapore to assess the self-sufficiency potential of high-rise residential buildings integrated with productive facades. The results indicated that the upper part of the building can meet 20.0–23.1% of the annual household electricity demand of a family of four in a four-room residential unit in Singapore and almost the entire year’s vegetable demand, while the middle part can meet 18.4–21.2% and 89.1%, respectively. The results demonstrated the importance of a productive facade in reducing energy demand, enhancing food security, and improving indoor visual and thermal comfort.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":"91 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139147382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010098
Xue Ding, Long Feng, Yao Huang, Wei Li
{"title":"The Interactive Effects of Communication Network Structure and Organizational Size on Task Performance in Project-Based Organizations: The Mediating Role of Bootleg Innovation Behavior","authors":"Xue Ding, Long Feng, Yao Huang, Wei Li","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010098","url":null,"abstract":"A PBO is a temporary organization formed by assembling members with diverse experiences and backgrounds, aimed at achieving specific innovation goals. Constructing a reasonable communication network structure and enhancing organizational synergy are effective ways to promote the sustainable development of the system. This study, based on the Input–Process–Output (IPO) model and social network analysis, utilized a group collaboration platform to conduct a three-stage communication experiment on 685 construction project managers. Under two organizational sizes, the internal mechanism of how communication networks with two levels of centralization influence task performance were tested. The results indicate that in the case of a smaller organizational size, PBOs using a decentralized communication network tend to achieve higher task performance. However, as the organizational size expands, PBOs employing a centralized communication network may surpass in task performance. Additionally, we found that with the expansion of organizational size, bootleg innovation behaviors of organizational members are continually stimulated, further enhancing collective task performance. This study, based on the evolution of communication network parameters, explores the structural characteristics of organizational communication networks and the mechanisms underlying the emergence of bootleg innovation behaviors. It delineates the key pathways for improving collective task performance. The findings can provide a scientific reference for the organizational evolution and development of engineering project management.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":" 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139142879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BuildingsPub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.3390/buildings14010097
Kai Ren, Tiehong Wu
{"title":"Analyzing the Evolution of a Rural Construction Community in China from the Perspective of Cultural Landscape","authors":"Kai Ren, Tiehong Wu","doi":"10.3390/buildings14010097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010097","url":null,"abstract":"The rural construction community embodies a confluence of social dynamics within rural areas, constituting an organic self-organization with hierarchical relationships. Over a specific period, the amalgamation of various roles and relationships within the rural construction community shapes the prevalent culture, distinctive image, and production techniques within villages. This study examines the structural composition of village communities and endeavors to establish a linkage mechanism among different elements within the construction framework. Focusing on villages and their inhabitants, this research traces the temporal evolution along the following axes: (1) Traditional Agricultural Civilization Age; (2) Collective Economy Age; (3) Rural Industrialization Age; (4) Rural Differentiation Age; and (5) Rural Revitalization Age. This paper primarily observes the evolution through the cultural foundation and manifestation of rural communities, emphasizing that the communities represent cooperative, autonomous, and transformative constructs. From the perspective of cultural landscapes, this article elucidates the interconnected trajectory of ecology–institution–livelihood in the creation of rural communities. It interprets the interplay among the resource patterns, social structure, and economic forms of villages across five distinct periods, fostering a comprehensive understanding of rural community development amidst changing circumstances. Recent years have seen a concerning decline in rural areas, where rural community culture faces a significant impact from modern industrial civilization, resulting in the disintegration of the social fabric within community construction. Nevertheless, the resilient common sense and self-organization capabilities of villagers persist. This study seeks to offer theoretical guidance and decision-making support to advance innovative social governance in rural locales. Moving forward, China’s rural revitalization demands a more adaptive sustainable assessment within rural construction communities.","PeriodicalId":48546,"journal":{"name":"Buildings","volume":"180 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139145639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}