Evaluation of Building Performance Against Large Subduction Earthquakes Incorporating Ground Response and Structural Dynamics Analysis

This paper assesses the level of awareness, perception and practice of Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) in the management of educational buildings. Hitherto performance evaluation of buildings has not received significant attention in Nigerian Universities. Universities procure buildings that neither respond to the demands of changing needs, nor fit for purpose. This study relies on current literature to explore how the constructs of BPE can be utilized to improve the design and management of educational buildings in the Nigerian university system. Data were generated using a convenient sample of construction professionals holding key positions in the physical planning and works departments of four Federal Universities in South East Nigeria. Data analyses were conducted using Excel and statistica; Version 9.0. The findings suggest that there appears to be an apparent lack of a systematic mechanism for measuring the success or performance of completed and occupied buildings in the universities. The absence of a performance evaluation database in the institutions explains this situation. The study reveals inadequate funding and lack of skilled personnel to conduct the performance evaluation of buildings. Consequently, the interaction between users and buildings did not add value to learning and working experiences. The paper concludes that a significant number of buildings in the case organisations were not fit for purpose. Furthermore, building performance indicators/measures identified as specific design objectives seem not have been explicitly expressed in most of the buildings investigated. The study emphasizes the need for designers and facilities managers to acquire skills on critical aspects of building performance evaluation as a means of meeting the increasing demand for higher quality in education. The exploratory nature of this research clarifies the problems that need to be addressed in future studies and so raised a number of theoretical and conceptual issues that must be explored in the performance evaluation of educational buildings.

Managing the selection of relevant criteria for functional building performance is essential for the building management team because it is strongly related with building occupants’ satisfaction and achievement of organizational objectives. In the current state of functional building performance evaluation, previous studies have shown that the criteria vary that depends on the facility types and purpose of conducting performance evaluation. These selection criteria have a direct impact on functional building performance and need to be done in in a systematic way. The content validity of the functional building performance evaluation instrument is essential step in the instrument development. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the content validity of Functional Building Performance (FBP) evaluation by using Content Validity Index (CVI) and modified Kappa coefficient. In achieving this research aim, a set of questionnaires was developed based on numerous construct items that obtained from previous studies by various authors and researchers. The selected expert panel in the field of historic building management and building performance evaluation such as local municipality, related government agencies, academician and building management team reviewed and rated the instrument to ensure its relevance and representativeness of each item. The final instrument contained 39 items that is valid and considered to be retained and all items will be further tested in next study. The result also shown the S-CVI/ Ave for all items meet the criterion of 0.90.

Torsional irregularity, such as beam discontinuity and asymmetry in plan, can be seen widely in common buildings and it has a considerable effect on seismic performance of a building. In this study, 8 different five- and seven-storey RC frame buildings with and without beam discontinuity in plan and with different torsional irregularities were designed according to Turkish Seismic Code 2007 and performance evaluations of these buildings were carried out using different performance evaluation methods: (1) linear elastic method (LEM), (2) nonlinear static procedure (NSP), and (3) nonlinear time history analysis (NTA). Life safety performance level was chosen as target performance level. It is observed that NSP delivers closer results to the results of NTA than LEM does when the considered building has in-plan irregularity. Using LEM in performance evaluation of an in-plan irregular building can yield unreliable and conservative results. It is concluded that if torsional irregularity without beam discontinuity is smaller than the code limits, it may not have a considerable effect on seismic performance of buildings.

PurposeThe field of building performance evaluation (BPE) forms a fragmented whole with tools and methods that are not widely applicable. In response, the purpose of this paper is to develop and demonstrate a novel BPE framework to bring consistency and flexibility in evaluating actual building performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper critically reviews and evaluates existing BPE methods and techniques and situates them in different building life stages. Using a hierarchical approach, a “BPE framework” is devised for new and existing buildings as well as refurbishments. The working of the BPE framework is demonstrated by applying it to four discreet BPE studies to enable cross-comparison of different BPE approaches based on their stage of application, depth and duration of BPE investigations.FindingsThe framework is designed to have four graduated levels starting at the “basic” level and developing incrementally to “core”, “comprehensive” and “advanced” levels, thereby focussing on “need to know” rather than “nice to have”. The framework also offers a mechanism to map different types of BPE studies with varying scope and content.Practical implicationsAs we enter a world of smart meters and smart buildings, we are transitioning into a new future of understanding building performance. The study helps to better understand which BPE method can be used to study what aspect of building performance and in what building lifecycle stage, against time, cost and user expertise.Originality/valueThe graduated and flexible framework helps to bring consistency in evaluating building performance in an otherwise fragmented field, to help improve building performance.

A novel big data building performance evaluation knowledge processing and mining system utilizing visual analytics is going to be presented in this paper. A large dataset comprised of building information, energy consumption, environmental measurements, human presence and behavior and business processes is going to be exploited for the building performance evaluation. Building performance evaluation is one of the most important factors in engineering that leads to building renovation and construction with low energy consumption and gas emissions in conjunction with comfort, utility and durability. For this purpose, business processes occurring in the building are correlated with the energy consumption and the human flows in the spatiotemporal domain modeling the dynamic behavior of the building. These models lead to the extraction of useful semantic information and the detection of spatiotemporal patterns that are important for the evaluation of the building performance. Furthermore, a number of novel visual analytics techniques allow the end-users to process data in different temporal resolutions and with different temporal filters, assisting them to detect patterns that may be difficult to be detected otherwise. The proposed visual analytics techniques support design and energy management decisions by visualizing the building measurements regarding business and comfort aspects. To do so, the proposed system includes a variety of techniques and components, properly selected to offer quick identification of focal points and evaluation of the building performance. Considering the increasing interest and the green building goals of almost all world governments including EU, the suggested methodology and application could be rendered a very useful tool for the Architecture and Engineering Community working on Building Performance Simulation and Analysis, and all related communities in Architect, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

This article presents an integrated approach for seismic analysis of pile foundations and demonstrates the applicability through an example. The approach involves various steps starting from identifying the seismic sources, analyzing local soil conditions, ground response analysis, and dynamic analysis of pile foundations. The complete nonlinearity of the soil (in case of liquefied soils) is incorporated in the analysis through nonlinear effective stress-based ground response and liquefaction analysis. A single pile and a 2 × 2 pile group are considered and dynamic analysis with varying earthquake intensities of ground motions have been applied to analyze the effect of intensity on pile response. The obtained results are presented in terms of pile displacements and bending moments. A state-of-the-art strain-hardening model has been utilized to simulate the response of pile in liquefied stratum. The proposed approach can be adopted for the design of pile-supported structures in seismically active regions as well as requalification studies of existing pile-supported structures.KeywordsSeismic analysisPile foundationGround response analysis

The aim of this study is to assess the performance objectives defined in the Iraqi Seismic Code (ISC) in order to make a realistic evaluation related to Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD) of multi-story reinforced concrete buildings and also to compare and evaluate structural response demands obtained from nonlinear static analysis procedures according to two versions of the capacity spectrum method (CSM) which are recommended in ATC 40 and ATC 55. Two groups of three-dimensional RC buildings with different heights, designed according to Iraqi Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete (IBC), are investigated. Pushover analyses are carried out to determine the nonlinear behavior of the buildings under three different seismic hazard levels, for two Iraqi seismic zones, of earthquake loads. In order to determine performance levels of the buildings, maximum inter-story drift demands and plasticizing sequence are determined and compared with the related limits using the CSM recommended in ATC 40 and ATC 55. From the results of this research, it can be concluded that RC buildings designed according to the Iraqi codes sufficiently provide the performance objectives stipulated in the ISC. Comparing structural response quantities obtained from the two versions of CSM, effects on performance evaluations of the buildings are investigated comparatively, as well.

A framework for the analysis of privacy and domestic building performance evaluation (BPE) shared dimensions is proposed. These conceptualized dimensions, based on non-exhaustive interdisciplinary literature review and BPE process experience, cover focus, aspiration and control as seen through privacy and domestic BPE lens. For each dimension key, directly relating concepts present in privacy discourse and BPE practice are identified. Such an approach allows an overlap in privacy and BPE focus of attention coinciding with contrary aspirations and tension in terms of assigning control over information to be captured. Addressing all these challenges is a crucial part of tacit knowledge of research or consultancy team responsible for the process; however, it is not explicitly reported in BPE literature. The proposed framework is intended to support further development of the domestic BPE ethical procedure, shown here as the key element in responding to privacy concerns. The ethical procedure is obligatory for academic-led BPE while for consultancy it is only recommended. This gap needs to be addressed before some form of domestic evaluations is taken up by mainstream construction. Further research needs are identified into the impact of privacy-related concerns on domestic BPE process.

Four borehole data from 4/1 Moore Avenue, Tollygunge, Kolkata, were collected to carry out ground response and liquefaction analysis. Two scaled input motions with peak bed rock acceleration (PBRA) 0.10 and 0.16 g have been generated from original Imperial Valley Earthquake accelerogram. The peak ground accelerations (PGA) obtained from ground response analysis using DEEPSOIL software have been used to determine the probable depth of liquefiable soil for Mw of 6.8. Ground response analysis shows amplification of PGA from 0.10 to 0.143 g and 0.16 to 0.208 g. Liquefaction analysis result shows that the bore holes analyzed are not susceptible to liquefaction as the liquefaction potential index (LPI) values come out to be 0.0 indicating very low risk for the region.

A two-year post-occupancy performance evaluation has been undertaken of the apartments within Galliard Homes’ Seager Distillery redevelopment site in London. The Seager Distillery site is typical of the many new high-density developments in London, reflecting the tightening standards on energy use and pressure on land use. This paper presents the energy and environmental performance of three apartments studied in detail, including the assessment of the performance of the building fabric, MVHR units and the communal heating system.\nThe paper compares the actual performance against the design intent of the apartments and summarises the performance of the communal heating system in use. It then highlights the reasons for any performance gaps identified, which provide useful learning to both Galliard Homes and the wider building industry.\nThe study has demonstrated that measurements of the actual performance of the building fabric align with design expectations; however, issues were found in the performance of the MVHR systems in the apartments affecting thermal comfort and energy use. This was further exacerbated by the underperforming communal heating system, where various shortcomings have affected its design, installation and operation.\nThe study highlighted areas for improvement in the building and its services in terms of design, installation, commissioning and post-occupancy maintenance. Better building handover and occupant access to relevant information were identified to promote building usability and further contribute to closing the performance gaps.

Buildings play a significant role in our economy and society. Substantial capital is invested in buildings, and they are the locales where a large portion (e.g., work, cultural, religious, social and personal activities) of our lives are conducted. Despite the significant monetary and temporal investments in buildings, building performance evaluations (BPEs) are not standard practice. From BPEs that have been conducted, important findings have been identified. Significant gaps frequently exist between the design intent of buildings and their measured performance (e.g., energy and water consumption) and user satisfaction (e.g., thermal comfort, lighting, noise). Environmental (e.g., resource consumption) and economic drivers (e.g., productivity, operational costs) are spurring the growth of BPEs. A BPE was conducted of the Weston Public Library (WPL) with the intent of informing a retrofit strategy and developing a protocol for conducting BPEs in the Toronto Public Library (TPL) system.

The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon potential analytical benefits of institutional theory in the study of building performance evaluation (BPE) practice. BPE studies have mostly been based on descriptive empirical insights with little conceptual underpinning on theoretical observation. Where theory has been drawn upon, it has tended to be largely based on socio-technical approaches, with focus mostly placed on the user or the client. Designers’ experience of BPE and a multilevel approach are mostly overlooked. The analysis draws upon mixed data, including documentary evidence, and focus on group session with experts in BPE, as well as use of theory in empirical settings. The findings from the study would enable initial development of potential institutional theory approach, that is, the study of BPE practice. There are also methodological implications into ways new conceptual approaches could be considered in their application across a range of fields.

Buildings play a significant role in our economy and society. Substantial capital is invested in buildings, and they are the locales where a large portion (e.g., work, cultural, religious, social and personal activities) of our lives are conducted. Despite the significant monetary and temporal investments in buildings, building performance evaluations (BPEs) are not standard practice. From BPEs that have been conducted, important findings have been identified. Significant gaps frequently exist between the design intent of buildings and their measured performance (e.g., energy and water consumption) and user satisfaction (e.g., thermal comfort, lighting, noise). Environmental (e.g., resource consumption) and economic drivers (e.g., productivity, operational costs) are spurring the growth of BPEs. A BPE was conducted of the Weston Public Library (WPL) with the intent of informing a retrofit strategy and developing a protocol for conducting BPEs in the Toronto Public Library (TPL) system.

There are well-known benefits to carry out Building Performance Evaluation (BPE), but also well-known barriers, including lack of support from clients which limits the ability to carry out extensive BPE exercises. Focusing on user feedback evaluation, this paper presents a methodology to expand current approaches by using data that is publically available and requires little resource to analyse: the systematic analysis of reviews from a travel or visitor website (in this case, Trip Advisor). Two case studies are presented (one hotel, one leisure centre). The first used the proposed method alongside more formal BPE methods, which helped to interrogate findings and validate the method in principle. The second uses it as the main BPE method. The analysis draws out which design and operational issues are mentioned most often by users and in what way (i.e. positively or negatively). It can then investigate these issues in more detail and over time, comparing the early stages of occupation with later, more ‘settled’, stages. Both case studies indicate significant potential to generate valuable feedback on building briefing, design, delivery and operations, both in relation to specific buildings and as a way to better understand user needs and expectations and inform future projects. Formal and extensive methods are invaluable, and should not be replaced by less formal ones which have inherent limitations; however, built environment professionals risk missing valuable opportunities to learn and improve building performance by concentrating on formal methods alone, particularly in a world where user-generated content grows in quantity, availability and prominence.

Parallel-vector design sensitivity analysis in structural dynamics