Performance Analyses of Temporary Membrane Structures: Energy Saving and CO2 Reduction through Dynamic Simulations of Textile Envelopes

Mariangela De Vita,Paolo Beccarelli,Pierluigi De Berardinis,Eleonora Laurini

doi:10.3390/su10072548

Abstract

The aim of this research, carried out in collaboration with Maco Technology Inc., was to analyse the energy performance of temporary textile structures that are often used to host itinerant events. This paper illustrates the dynamic simulations carried on the Ducati Pavilion, designed by Maco Technology, which hosted Ducati staff during the different stages of the Superbike World Championship. Specific aspects relating to the structural/constructive system of the project were also analysed. The theme of energy saving and carbon reduction is of great importance in temporary and itinerant structures and environmental sustainability in relation to the materials used, storage, re-use, mode of transport and ability to respond efficiently to the climatic conditions of the installation sites is an important aspect. The Ducati Pavilion was modelled and analysed from an energy point of view using Design Builder software. Ways of improving performance were analysed under summer conditions. The paper focuses on the importance of optimizing the performance of textile envelopes: the methodology proposed allows visible savings in terms of energy consumption and achieves good levels of environmental comfort in temporary buildings with low thermal mass structure.

Highlights

The study presented here is the result of a long-term collaboration between the authors and their respective institutions on the theme of lightweight buildings
The first simulation performed in this second series of analyses focused on the performance of PVC casing, a double PVC membrane with a 50 cm chamber of steady air, a single PVC/Polyester membrane and a double PVC/Polyester membrane with a 50 cm chamber of steady air. These analyses clearly demonstrate that the variation in CO2 production depends on the season and on the type of membrane chosen for the envelope
The analyses show that the level of environmental comfort in these warmer months can be improved with the sapient use of coated-fabric layers

Summary

Introduction

The study presented here is the result of a long-term collaboration between the authors and their respective institutions on the theme of lightweight buildings. A number of articles have been published on the topic of coated fabrics for architectural applications: these studies concern both the structural and mechanical characteristics of these materials, as well as the thermo-physical and optical properties that determine the main, critical points in their application [13,14,15,16,17,18,19]. In this study, these properties were considered elements to be exploited and the potential of these temporary mobile structures from an environmental perspective is illustrated

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion