Building Design Research Articles

Performance-Based Wind Design of Tall Buildings Considering Corner Modification and Inelastic Behavior

Performance-Based Wind Design of Tall Buildings Considering Corner Modification and Inelastic Behavior

Implementation of an Automated Code Checking Algorithm Based on Site Analysis

To date, BIM has been primarily utilized in cost and schedule management, an interference check between architectural and structural models and systems based on geometric data in the process of the construction life cycle. However, there is a lack of research that utilizes the information contained in the BIM model to review whether the proposed architectural model is appropriately designed in accordance with each country’s building regulations or building codes or that proposes a model optimized for laws and standards. ‘Building code checking’ is the step of reviewing whether a building designed based on the building codes is suitable for being constructed as a building. However, this process consumes significant time and money and leads to human errors due to the manual review process. This study included implementation of an algorithm based on the Korean building code. In this study, there was the process of selection of codes when architects interpret building codes in common and implementation based on the codes selected. Next, modeling based on DXF files from NGII (National Geographic Information Institute) was applied to the algorithm developed in this study. Last, it includes case studies that compare the outputs of the algorithm with the real buildings, which had received real code checking, to make sure the algorithm in this paper is working properly. The implementation of such an automated system has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the building design and construction process. It can help architects to quickly and accurately identify potential legal issues and provide alternative solutions that meet regulatory requirements. This, in turn, can lead to reduced project costs, improved quality of designs, and faster project delivery times.

Evaluating the Urban Heat Mitigation Potential of a Living Wall in Milan: One Year of Microclimate Monitoring

Urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and adaptation are urgent needs in a built environment, which requires us to search for sustainable solutions to limit the urban heat island effect and improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes. Among these solutions, vertical green structures (VGSs) have recently attracted significant attention for their potential to mitigate adverse effects, especially in densely built areas. This study presents a comprehensive data analysis of the microclimate of a living wall in Milan, Italy. Our aim was to evaluate this VGS’s performance in mitigating temperature increases caused by the UHI effect. In the literature, similar studies are limited to shorter monitoring periods (mostly in cooling seasons) and specific orientations (mostly facing south). However, the VGS presented in this case study here faces northwest and was continuously monitored for one calendar year. During this continuous in situ monitoring campaign, air temperature data from sensors either embedded in vegetation or exposed on a bare wall were collected and analysed over a whole calendar year, which is a novelty compared to the existing literature focused on VGSs due to the long duration. The findings indicate that the studied VGS has the ability to influence the outdoor microclimate depending on the season, the precipitation events, the wall exposure, the type of vegetation, and the vegetation’s phenological attributes. The analysis showed that the VGS consistently maintained cooler temperatures than the bare wall, with mean temperature differences ranging from 2.8 °C in autumn to 0.8 °C in spring through the winter. The vegetation acted as a natural insulator by reducing the air temperature during the hot summer and in early autumn, corresponding to the growing period of the vegetation. Thus, VGSs show potential to mitigate the global warming effect. These findings provide valuable insights on vegetation’s capability to act as a thermal regulator for sustainable urban planning and energy-efficient building design and retrofitting.

An Innovative Method for Wind Load Estimation in High-Rise Buildings Based on Green’s Function

High-rise buildings are inherently vulnerable to substantial wind-induced forces. The increasing complexity of building designs has posed challenges in calculating wind loads, while traditional methods involving physical models have proven to be intricate and time-consuming. In order to overcome these obstacles, this paper investigates a theoretical methodology aimed at streamlining the computation of wind loads. In the initial theoretical exploration, a simplified mathematical model based on Green’s function is introduced to take into account the interaction between wind loads and building geometry, while the model is not user-friendly and difficult to solve for complex polygonal buildings. To overcome this challenge, the study incorporates numerical simulations to extend the ideas and refine the methodology. To simplify the problem from a three-dimensional to a two-dimensional context, a bold tangential field assumption is made, assuming the wind pressure distribution remains similar across horizontal sections at different heights. The Schwarz–Christoffel formulation is then employed to facilitate the transformation. By integrating Green’s functions and conformal mapping to solve potential flow problems beyond the boundary layer, a comprehensive mathematical derivation is established. The above broadens the applicability of the mathematical theory and provides a new direction for estimations of high-speed wind load on buildings.

RESEARCH ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE THICKNESS AND THE STRUCTURAL CONDITION OF ROLLED METAL FROM LOW-CARBON LOW-ALLOY STEEL 10G2FB

When choosing steels for the design of high-rise and long-span buildings with increased load-bearing capacity, it is advisable to give preference to thick rolled steel from low-carbon, low-alloy steels, since it, with the same level of strength as construction steels, has a higher level of plasticity. At the same time, the problem of using thick rolled steel from low-carbon, low-alloy steels in the construction industry are the anisotropy of the rolled metal properties, which can increase with an increase in the thickness of the rolled metal. Currently, in Ukraine, controlled rolling is one of the most promising technologies of high-temperature thermomechanical processing for the production of thick rolled metal from low-carbon, low-alloy steels. At the same time, with an increase in the thickness of the rolled metal, which is produced with this technological scheme, the effect of the regulated formation of the structural state decreases due to the influence on the temperature of the surface layers of the rolled metal, the thermodynamic state of the inner layers and the inability of the rolling equipment available at domestic enterprises to deform the metal over the entire cross-sectional area. Therefore, the task of obtaining such a structural state in the thick sheet metal roll, which will ensure the reduction of the anisotropy of the properties, which will allow the use of such rolled metal in the construction industry, is urgent. Purpose of the article is to study of the structural state of low-carbon low-alloy steel 10G2FB, which was produced using the technology of controlled rolling, depending on the thickness of the rolled metal. Conclusion. The relationship between the structural state and the thickness of rolled metal from low-carbon low-alloy steel 10G2FB, which was produced by controlled rolling technology, was studied. It was established that with the increase in thickness, the percentage content of the ferrite component increases with a simultaneous decrease in the percentage content of the pearlite phase. It is shown that changes in the formation languages of structural components begin with an increase in the thickness of the rolled metal over 30 mm, which is explained by the influence of the temperature of the inner layers on the processes of forming the structural state, namely, with an increase in the thickness of the rolled metal, the thermodynamic rate of phase transformations in the middle layers of the rolled metal samples decreases. This conclusion is confirmed by two factors: firstly, an increase in the size of pearlite colonies, and secondly, a change in the morphology of the cementite framework of pearlite colonies from zigzag (thickness 16...30 mm) to ribbon (thickness 40...100 mm).

SELECTION OF OPTIMAL PARAMETERS OF A LIGHTWEIGHT FLAT FLOOR WITH VOIDS MADE OF PLASTIC BALLS

Formulation of the problem. Architectural and construction design of buildings using reinforced concrete has led to an increase in the number of objects with an individual space-planning structure, a rich variety of facade and volumetric solutions. Today the question of the effectiveness of using flat prefabricated monolithic lightweight floors in the construction of multi-storey buildings with individual space-planning and architectural solutions is relevant. In a market economy interest in the issue of rational use of resources, namely the cost of concrete and reinforcement in construction, has sharply increased, which is directly related to attracting investment. As it is known, when designing buildings from prefabricated monolithic reinforced concrete, in contrast to prefabricated concrete, there is greater freedom in adopting the space-planning parameters of the building, and there may also be simpler design solutions, in particular for floors. The constructive solution of floors depends on numerous requirements for the building as a whole and directly for the floor. One of the requirements that influences the attraction of investments is a small material-intensive floor covering with significant spans of buildings of various structural systems. The effective use of lightweight precast monolithic reinforced concrete floors with voids made of plastic balls in construction requires a comprehensive technical and economic analysis of this innovative solution for the precast monolithic reinforced concrete floor structure. The purpose of the article is to perform a technical and economic comparison of various design options for a flat lightweight prefabricated monolithic floor. The influence of floor parameters on the consumption of concrete and reinforcement is considered. Conclusion. As a result of the research, it was established that it is rational to use hollow balls made from recycled materials as a material for making voids from balls in flat floors. Moreover, all studied floor options with spans of 6 m, 7 m, 8 m and void sizes made of balls with diameters of 180 mm, 315 mm and 50 0mm meet the requirements of the first and second groups of limit states.

Tracer Observation of Queuing Behavior During New Year’s Visits to Shrines/Temples Using GPS Log Data

Crowd behavior during customary New Year's visits to shrines/temples in Japan was investigated. During these mass gatherings, visitors form a queue along the approach to the Main Hall of the shrines/temples. The unidirectional flow of the queue as the visitors approach the Main Hall to perform rituals is managed by police. The author observed the queuing behavior of visitors by joining the procession and tracked his position over time using a GPS logger. The author also observed the surrounding geometrical features and the procedures for guiding the crowd. Control methods, such as cordons and preparation of extra queuing space, were examined based on the observational data and compared with those of building/fire evacuations. The “everyone is welcome” aspect of New Year's visits required not only cordons in front of bottlenecks such as gates, stairs, and praying areas, but also alteration of the queuing space to accommodate for expansion of the crowd size. In contrast, considering building/fire evacuations, occupancy can be estimated or controlled by ticket quantity or density. Therefore, the accumulation of evacuees at bottlenecks can be predicted and should be considered in the building design phase. Different events or facilities require distinct crowd management approaches.

An LCIA-based model proposal for the selection of building interior finishing materials

The increasing environmental impacts of buildings highlight conscious material selection as a pivotal aspect of sustainable building design. Most current life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) models on material selection focus on the main construction or insulation materials while often neglecting the environmental effects of finishing materials. Hence, this study seeks to present an LCIA-based model for selecting finishing materials based on their environmental impacts. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) as a data source for the mandatory steps of LCIA is recommended for the model since it provides fast, reliable, and equivalent data on the environmental impacts of the materials. The model is validated by assessing three wall finishing materials in hotel bedrooms- gypsum board, paint, and wood panel. Findings revealed that the model has the potential to mitigate the environmental effects by guiding decisions made during the finishing material selection phase.

Linking Occupant Behavior and Window Design through Post-Occupancy Evaluation: Enhancing Natural Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

This study investigates how window design features, such as size, placement, and orientation, might impact occupants’ behavior related to natural ventilation in residential houses and how residents manage natural ventilation to affect indoor air quality (IAQ), comfort, and energy efficiency. By analyzing responses from a questionnaire distributed among 200 occupants, this article reveals that stuffy air, perceived outdoor pollutants, odors, and relative humidity, along with factors like inadequate ventilation, temperature fluctuations, and energy consumption concerns, emerge as primary issues affecting occupants’ comfort and well-being. This study proposes design recommendations for enhancing IAQ, including optimal window placement for cross-ventilation, window-to-wall ratio (WWR) considerations, and the integration of smart window technologies. This research recognizes that window design is not just a technical matter but involves understanding social and behavioral factors as well. By analyzing occupant responses, it aims to provide insights into the socio-technical parameters that should be considered in window design. The findings offer valuable strategies for architects, designers, and homeowners to optimize natural ventilation and underscore the importance of an occupant-centered approach in sustainable building design.

Impact of occupant behavior on optimal multi-objective solutions for the design of low-energy buildings

The occupant behavior plays a fundamental role in the actual performance of the buildings, especially for very low energy buildings. Since inconsistencies are discovered post-occupancy, known as Energy Performance Gap, it is necessary to better represent the occupants when optimizing the design of buildings. In this context, a multi-objective optimization of a low energy building was carried out for three different French climates with two models of occupant behaviors. The first is a standard fixed scenario (SF) while the second is an agent-based tool (NoMASS) that predicts occupancy scenarios according to sociodemographic characteristics and estimates occupants’ interactions with windows, external shadings and lighting based on probabilistic models. The results obtained show that the occupant model significantly influences the expected performance of the building as NoMASS model estimates greater heating needs and improved summer comfort. However, for our case study, there is no influence of the accuracy of representation of occupant behavior on the optimal solutions of building design. The optimization could be carried out with a less detailed model, thus reducing calculation times while maintaining comparable optimal results. The performance of the optimal solutions obtained can then be refined by simulating with the most detailed model.

Architectural Design of New Buildings with Seismic Base Isolation and Energy Damping Systems

Architectural Design of New Buildings with Seismic Base Isolation and Energy Damping Systems

A narrative review and update on drain related outbreaks.

Outbreaks linked to hospital drainage systems are well reported and continue to present challenges to incident management teams. Such outbreaks can be protracted and complex, with multi-modal strategies being required for remediation. The aim was to summarise recent drain related outbreaks, investigate whether multimodal control measures are being implemented and determine any antecedent factors. Databases were searched for drain related outbreaks over a five-year period. Search terms employed included healthcare drainage outbreaks; drain outbreaks;drainage system outbreaks; sink outbreaks; shower outbreaks . Information was collected on country of origin, pathogens involved, unit affected, drain types, patient numbers, drainage system interventions, type of drain disinfectant, infection control interventions, typing method, outcomes and any antecedent factors. Nineteen drain related outbreak papers were reviewed. The majority of incidents were due to Carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales (CPE) and were from critical care settings. Most (16/19) recognised the need for a multi-modal approach. Information on the success of interventions was not documented for all but 13/19 reported no further cases after control measures. Variation in the choice of agent and frequency of application exists with regards to drain disinfection. Seven studies discussed antecedent factors. Despite drain related outbreaks being reported for the last 24 years and review articles on the subject, outbreaks continue to pose significant challenges. There is currently no UK guidance on the management of drain related outbreaks or the design of new buildings to mitigate the risk. Addressing the challenges from hospital drainage systems should be considered a priority by agencies and guidance developers.

Life cycle techno-economic-environmental optimization for capacity design and operation strategy of grid-connected building distributed multi-energy system

Distributed multi-energy systems (DMS) have received increasing attention. Many studies have optimized the capacity and operation strategies of DMS based on multiple objectives, but these studies must discuss the weights of different objectives and have not considered the internal coupling between different objectives. Besides, existing studies have not considered the changes in the actual value of environmental impacts. To address these shortcomings, this paper constructs a technology-economic-environmental optimization model by mixed-integer linear programming. Based on life-cycle assessment, the model quantifies the value of system life-cycle environmental impacts by introducing carbon price. The case results show that the proposed optimization model can reduce the total cost by 28.83% and the life cycle environmental cost by 3.39% compared to the traditional model. To reduce the strain on the grid, a new operation pattern (The grid provides fixed electricity to the system throughout the year.) is proposed. The electricity interaction of the system with the grid under the new operation pattern is more than 70% lower than the system without electricity purchased quantity constraint. Sensitivity analysis shows the total system cost is more sensitive to natural gas and electricity price than carbon price. But carbon price volatility helps reduce system carbon emissions.

Response Modification Factor of High-Strength Steel Frames with D-Eccentric Brace Using the IDA Method

The design innovation of high-strength steel frames paired with D-eccentric bracing exhibits remarkable resistance to plastic deformation during seismic events. This method strategically combines regular steel connections (with yield strengths below 345 MPa) and high-strength steel beams and columns (such as Q460 or Q690, with yield strengths over 460 MPa), effectively reducing cross-sectional sizes while preserving the elasticity of non-energy-dissipating members. This configuration results in substantial ductility and superior energy dissipation capabilities. The response modification factor (R) is vital for achieving both effective and economical seismic resilience, particularly in the development of efficient and cost-effective seismic designs. However, the 2016 edition of the Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB50011-2010) fails to incorporate the concept of R, opting instead to apply a uniform value to all structural systems. This oversight is fundamentally flawed, necessitating a comprehensive investigation into the R value specifically for the high-strength steel frame with a D-eccentric brace. This research primarily aims to improve structural performance design, provide guidance for future projects, and encourage the adoption of this advanced seismic performance structure in earthquake-prone areas. To achieve these objectives, a performance-based seismic design approach is employed. This method involves designing structures with varying numbers of stories (4, 8, and 12), different link lengths (900, 1000, and 1100 mm), and various steel strengths (Q460 and Q690). This study uses the Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) method to determine the R values for each prototype. The derived performance coefficients act as crucial references for the development of future innovative structural designs. This research greatly enhances seismic design practices and facilitates the wider adoption of high-strength steel frames with D-eccentric braces due to their outstanding seismic performance.

Design standardisation and seismic protection of SMRs through modular metafoundations

This paper investigates the seismic protection of the Nuward™ small modular reactor (SMR) building, focusing on design loading and beyond design basis earthquake (bDBE) conditions. The study aims to achieve two primary objectives: i) to enhance seismic mitigation of a SMR building under bDBE conditions, through the use of the innovative modular single-layer (SLM) and multi-layer (MLM) metafoundations (MFs); ii) to effectively standardise and harmonise SMR building designs in locations prone to beyond design basis conditions. To accomplish these goals and demonstrate the protective capabilities of the MFs, the study employs non-linear time-history analyses (NLTHAs) for both DBE and bDBE conditions. Along these lines, a reduced-order model was developed from a refined finite element (FE) model of the SMR building using the Craig-Bampton mode synthesis technique. Then, finite locally resonant modular MFs were designed and analysed using NLTHAs. Specifically, physics-based ground motion models (GMMs) were used to generate and select seismic triplets that mimicked DBE and bDBE scenarios for NLTHAs. Successively to achieve improved seismic performance, the optimization of the MFs was pursued by targeting the optimal number of columns, resonator parameters, and unit cell dimensions. Additionally, the deployment of inerters was considered, to significantly reduce the size of the MFs and enable their application in multiple layers for ultra-low frequency attenuation. The overall findings suggest that modular MFs meet seismic protection requirements, and positively contribute to the standardization process of SMR buildings, even in areas characterized by beyond-design seismic conditions.

Dynamic facades for sustainable buildings: A review of classification, applications, prospects and challenges

Dynamic facades (DFs) can potentially transform how we design and experience buildings. Their adaptability to changing environmental conditions can significantly reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, while also enhancing the comfort of building occupants. Smart materials and automated systems enable these facades to optimize daylighting, control heat gain, and improve ventilation – resulting in energy savings of up to 50% and CO2 emission reductions of up to 40% compared to traditional static facades. Despite the challenges of high initial costs and maintenance requirements, this study proposes a classification scheme for DFs, providing a systematic approach to understanding their diverse technologies and potential applications. This study aims to fill a gap in the lack of comprehensive information on DF design concepts, configurations, and details. A thorough review of 26 international case studies underscores the real-world energy-saving impacts of DF designs. To fully realize the long-term benefits, this research underscores the crucial need for in-depth techno-economic analysis that considers the life cycle costs (LCC) of DFs. Such analysis will equip stakeholders with the knowledge to make informed decisions that balance economic considerations with the environmental benefits of DFs. Despite the remaining challenges, DFs offer a promising path towards more energy-efficient buildings and healthier and more comfortable indoor environments. The performance gains demonstrated in this study make DFs a compelling solution for shaping the future of sustainable building design. However, continued research focused on DF systems classification, performance analysis, and economic viability will be crucial to making this innovative technology accessible and impactful on a broader scale.

Ten questions concerning environmental architectural design exploration

It is widely recognized that the sustainability of the built environment is one of the key strategies to tackle global crises such as climate change, resource depletion, and human health. An environmentally driven approach to architectural design and urban planning through simulations has been around for many decades. However, architects and planners haven't fully taken advantage of its potential yet due to the complexity of the tasks and the fragmentation of tools and methods in different fields of expertise. This paper aims to demonstrate how the nascent field of environmental architectural design exploration is a viable answer to complex tasks and challenges through the integration of sustainable design, environmental simulations, building performance analysis, and computational procedures leveraging parametric design environments. After defining the context that favored its development, the ten questions answered present the environmental metrics and design parameters, propose a taxonomy of simulation tools and methods, present optimization processes, identify the required data, and introduce a classification of co-simulation and design exploration workflows, emphasizing their potential for the design of sustainable buildings and districts. Then focus is given to the scales and domains of application and to the potential of machine learning methods. The paper concludes by presenting applications in practice and discussing challenges and future opportunities. Strategies and operational procedures emerge from the ten questions. They emphasize the use of holistic approaches and the selection of balanced design solutions allowed by environmental architectural design exploration for the development of a sustainable built environment.

Design and Analysis of General Hospital Building Using STAAD Pro

Abstract: Structural design is the primary aspect of the civil engineering. The foremost basic in structural engineering is the design of simple basic components and members of a building viz., Beams, Columns and Footings. The principal objective of this project is to analyze and design a general hospital using Staad pro. The design involves manual load calculations, analysis and design of the whole structure using STAAD Pro. The design methods used in STAAD-Pro analysis are Limit State Design conforming to Indian Standard Code of Practice. Structure considered for analysis and design is 21m high hospital building located in the seismic zone III. In this project, we study the effect of various load combinations on the structure by analysing the bending moment diagrams in post processing mode. The project involves detailed drawings of column layout, column detailing and beam detailing

A Parametric Analysis of Wind-Loaded High-Rise Constructions in Various Terrain Types with Bracing

Abstract: This study tries to provide a hypothetical structural design for a tall building in a city. It is very important for civil engineering students to think about how structural systems can enhance the architectural expression of a building. Wind is the governing load when building high-rise structures in the city. A building can be structurally improved to resist wind pressure by making changes to the basic design, which gives it a unique architectural expression. In this study, G+10 and G+20 storey structures is designed and compared in two terrain categories and subjected to wind load. The ruggedness of the environment where the fabric structure is located is measured by the Terrain category. Wind speed, wind direction, and exposure to the elements are examples of such variables. Earthquake and wind loads are applied to the ETABS model according to the given National Standards. Finally, it is determined how strong and flexible the structure is under these stresses. The output of the calculation program and additional calculated products are compared to the Indian limit for structural serviceability.

КАФЕДРЕ ЭНЕРГЕТИКИ ТЕПЛОТЕХНОЛОГИИ – 35 ЛЕТ

The article is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Department of Processes and Apparatus of Chemical Technology and the 35th anniversary of its renaming, in connection with the opening of a new specialty, to the Department of Energy engineering of heat technologie. Since 1990, the department has graduated more than three thousand specialists (engineers, bachelors, masters) for the energy sector, housing and communal services, the building materials industry, engineering and design centers. More than a third of graduates completed full-time education, and every tenth graduate received a diploma with honors. The department is implementing programs of additional professional education in the field of energy saving and increasing energy efficiency; 1,300 specialists have undergone advanced training at the department. The educational and scientific work of the department is aimed at basic heat engineering and heat and power education, energy saving and increasing energy efficiency, recycling of secondary energy resources, and the use of renewable and alternative energy sources.