Building Layout Research Articles

Building Performance Strategy to Achieve Thermal Comfort on Post-Disaster Design

Purpose: This study is a development of previous studies that focused on testing building performance from the aspect of building comfort. A house is a place to live that is used daily that must meet the needs of the occupants' thermal comfort which is greatly influenced by environmental and building conditions, such as natural lighting, air flow, and thermal performance as well as the conditions of the building's orientation layout and space openings. To determine the thermal performance of a building, it is necessary to conduct several analyses of several parameters of air temperature, air circulation and thermal conditions that occur in buildings in several conditions of building layout or orientation and openings made. Theoretical reference: Adaptive buildings are buildings that have adaptation to external environmental conditions, occupant needs and building operational conditions with the aim of increasing energy efficiency, comfort and sustainability. These adaptive buildings are able to provide a more comfortable environment, flexible and efficient space by maximizing natural ventilation and using building materials that function as insulation against temperature and solar radiation. Method: To determine the thermal comfort conditions of the building, it is necessary to conduct several tests on several parameters, such as natural lighting, air flow, and thermal performance using several analyzes such as solar analysis, air movement analysis and thermal analysis of the planned building prototype with several alternative building orientations. To test the thermal performance of the building, solar analysis and thermal analysis are carried out using Revit-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Results and Conclusions: The results of the study showed that the influence of building orientation and opening placement patterns will produce several different thermal performances. And the optimal results obtained from this adaptive strategy were that the optimal heat generated caused heat generation in the envelope of 0.76 kW/m2, meaning that by considering the heat transfer value of the building envelope not exceeding 35 W/m2 (SNI 6389:2020), a wall envelope made of 10 cm thick calciboard with air holes was used to withstand the rate of heat flow into the room. Research implications: As part of the adaptive building context that supports the field of knowledge and practice in the fields of architecture, engineering and the environment, it has positive implications related to the flexibility of spatial arrangement to adjust to the needs of occupants' space, the use of more efficient and environmentally friendly building technology and materials according to the needs of adaptive buildings, and the adjustment of natural ventilation strategies according to local climate potential. Originality/value: The components that distinguish this research from previous research can be seen from the various approaches and innovations carried out by the author, namely: Adaptive Design Method: developing the functionality of spatial arrangements in post-disaster residential buildings that apply the principles of spatial efficiency and arrangement to improve more dynamic relationships between spaces and their relationships with the surrounding environment. Use of New and Data-based Technology: applying new technology in ways to monitor and control the quality of space with the surrounding environment that affects it in real-time. Using technology applications for data analysis, modeling and predicting the performance of post-disaster residential buildings according to environmental and building parameters that affect them, and using big data analysis to understand the thermal behavior of buildings to optimize building design and operations.

Automated layout generation from sites to flats using GAN and transfer learning

Generating architectural layouts from sites to flats, encompassing site layouts (SLs), building layouts (BLs), and flat layouts (FLs), presents a complex process. Notably, the BL generation is challenging due to the small scale of data, making it difficult to train effective neural networks. This paper introduces an approach for generating layouts throughout the complete process. Initially, it proposes an enhanced generative adversarial network (GAN) combined with the transformer for Stable Diffusion (TranSD-GAN), considering design boundaries and requirements. Subsequently, for generating BLs with small-scale datasets, the paper proposes a stacking transfer learning method. Following this, image operations are conducted to support the flow of building information. Ultimately, BIM models are created at each stage. Through comparative experiments involving neural networks and generation cases, it is demonstrated that the proposed method significantly improves the generative capabilities of small-scale datasets and effectively aids designers throughout the layout design from sites to flats.

Research on reliable coverage planning of substation based on equipment service level

Abstract 5G network can meet the multi-type service access needs of substations and promote the intelligent upgrade and transformation of power grids. The layout of buildings and electrical equipment in substations, as well as electromagnetic interference, will have a greater impact on 5G signal coverage. In this paper, a three-dimensional simulation model of the substation is first established, and basic parameters of base station planning are determined. Then, a safety function considering equipment service level and an electromagnetic interference calculation method are defined. Finally, a coverage planning algorithm based on electrical equipment service level and received power quality is proposed to improve the reliability of service access and ensure the safe and stable operation of the system. Simulation results show that the algorithm is effective and reliable.

Designing Climate-Adaptive Buildings: Impact of Courtyard Geometry on Microclimates in Hot, Dry Environments

Designing climate-adaptive buildings is crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change by enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, such designs improve thermal comfort and resilience in urban environments, particularly in regions with extreme climates, thereby promoting sustainable living conditions. This study aims to mitigate climate change through strategic urban and building design, focusing on the impact of building geometry and courtyard configurations on enhancing microclimates and thermal comfort in the UAE's hot arid climate. Utilizing ENVI-met software for qualitative analysis, the research examines design modifications in a school building's layout and courtyards. The analysis and findings reveal that strategic alterations can reduce outdoor air temperatures by up to 1.45°C and average building temperatures by approximately 1.89°C. Additionally, these modifications significantly improve thermal comfort perceptions on the PMV scale. The findings underscore the potential of architectural design to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts, highlighting the importance of thoughtful building and courtyard designs in promoting sustainable architecture and urban planning. This study offers novel insights into the role of design in enhancing thermal environments, providing a practical approach for developing climate-adaptive buildings in hot, dry environments. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-08-017 Full Text: PDF

Assessing urban ventilation using large-eddy simulations

The ventilation of nine neutral boundary layers over three representative urban geometries (in-line, staggered, and long-canyon building layouts) under three different geostrophic wind conditions was investigated using large-eddy simulations. Pollutants were injected into a well-developed boundary layer, and the replacement of pollutants with fresh air was simulated in the nine cases. In all cases, the domain-averaged concentration first decreased linearly, following the overall flow, and then decreased slowly owing to the trapping and intermittent drainage of canopy-layer pollutants. During drainage, downstream in-canopy pollutant concentrations were the highest in the long-canyon layout owing to more building-induced vertical recirculations, more isolated flows, and more trapping of pollutants. In contrast, the in-line layout had the lowest downstream in-canopy pollutant concentrations. Pedestrian-level ventilation was investigated by analyzing the changes in 2-m pollutant concentration over normalized time, considering the overall flow and building-induced turbulent friction together. The time series of the pedestrian-level pollutant concentrations in the nine cases were divided into three types based on the building layout rather than geostrophic wind speed. Additionally, the normalized ventilation time, that is, the normalized time for the initial concentration to decrease to 1/e, was calculated and compared to the simple ratios of the 2-m wind speed and geostrophic wind speed. While the velocity ratios and non-normalized ratios were grouped by geostrophic wind speed, the normalized ventilation times were grouped into three groups according to the building layout, showing that differences in geometry (e.g., long-canyon to in-line) can decrease ventilation time by more than 9.7%.

Multi-objective optimization of buildings in urban scale for early stage planning and parametric design

Passive design of buildings in early design stage is essential for energy efficiency and sustainability. In this study, a streamlined tool for parametric study and passive design of buildings in urban scale considering thermal loads and natural lighting performance is presented, which markedly enhances the efficiency of early-stage urban planning. The tool is comprised of three sub-models, including (1) degree-month based annual building thermal load prediction model, (2) simplified climate modification model that takes into account the effects of building layout on solar heat gain and urban heat island, (3) multi-objective optimization algorithm NSGA-II, which optimizes both energy-saving and natural lighting performance. Model validation results show that this tool has an average error of 11.44% and 15.82% in simulating building thermal load compared with Dragonfly and CitySim, and has an average error of 9.9% in predicting average daylight factor compared with Radiance. Multiple optimization scenarios and sensitivity analysis in 10 typical climatic cities were conducted. It is found that in cold and hot climatic cities, it is more beneficial to set energy target as the optimization objective, meanwhile, establishing natural lighting as a constraint, rather than solely minimizing thermal loads. In contrast, the inherently lower thermal loads of buildings in milder climatic cities help to achieve both energy-saving and natural lighting goals, and it is also found that the increased thermal loss due to a higher window-to-wall ratio can be offset by employing thicker wall and roof insulation or by improving building layouts.

How building arrangements can improve outdoor thermal comfort and indoor sunlight?

In the context of frequent extreme hot weather conditions, high-dense urban areas posed more life-threatening challenges. Such as university dormitories, as important residential spaces, have received very little attention. Moreover, how building arrangements can simultaneously impact internal and external environments remain poorly understood. To bridge this gap, student residential areas of Jiangsu University in Zhenjiang, China were considered as a case study, with the aim of optimal building arrangements that can simultaneously improve the outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) and indoor sunlight (ISL). A combination of on-site measurement and numerical models were employed to simulate various scenarios with different building orientations, building heights and layouts. The result revealed that: first, the building orientation emerged as a dominant factor influencing both OTC and ISL, with the optimal value identified as SE-30°. Second, in the context of extremely hot weather conditions, increasing building height or floor-area ratio contributed to improved OTC. Finally, the building arrangement with inconsistent heights of north-to-south descending order, exhibited a notable reduction in hot outdoor spaces by 18.6%, and attributed to enhanced airflow. The findings provide clear guidelines for improved strategies at the detailed urban design scale, and can further contribute to the development of sustainable cities.

Three-Dimensional Modeling and Analysis of Ground Settlement Due to Twin Tunneling Using GIS

Ground settlement occurs because of the surrounding ground behavior during tunnel excavation. A high chance of its occurrence could cause the collapse of buildings; therefore, the accurate prediction and assessment of ground settlement are necessary when structures are concentrated in urban regions. This study leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 3D modeling to evaluate the effects of tunnel excavation on the ground settlement and damage of buildings along the Mandeok–Centum underground highway in Busan. It integrates the field topography with building data to simulate and visualize construction-induced interactions. Numerical analysis is used to assess the effects of the terrain elevation, building presence, excavation sequences, and lag distance between the twin tunnels on the settlement. The results indicate that high terrain elevation, dense building layouts, and shorter distances between tunnels increase settlement. Furthermore, this study deduces that bidirectional excavation causes a rapid increase in settlement compared with parallel excavation, which is evident from the variations in the inflection points during the excavation process. Finally, this study estimates the damage to buildings and ground settlements and visualizes risk maps using GIS, emphasizing the practicality of 3D modeling based on GIS.

Estimation of the Hazardous Chemical Leakage Scale Inside Buildings Using CFD

Increased industrialization and aging infrastructure have resulted in leaks of hazardous chemicals, such as CO. Leak modeling is crucial to developing emergency response strategies. Therefore, we simulated the time to criticality (TTC), which is the time to reach the threshold limit for occupational exposure, of a CO leak. The basis of the study is a fire dynamics simulator, a computational fluid dynamics model that was used to investigate the movement of CO in various scenarios, including using different building layouts and areas, temperatures, and leak diameters. Multiple regression analysis was performed to obtain regression equations for the TTC as a function of the independent variables. Ultimately, we found that the type of dispersion varies with respect to the temperature-dependent density of CO, and, among the independent variables, the leak diameter had the strongest effect on the TTC. The regression equations with logarithmic conversion were validated and found to have higher accuracy than those without logarithmic conversion. The findings provide useful information for developing emergency response plans regarding leak size in the case of hazardous chemical leakage. However, empirical studies of different gas types and leakage scenarios are required.

Automated building layout generation: Implementation and comparison of STREAMER Early Design Configurator and SDaC Layout Designer

When designing new buildings, various constraints must be taken into account. These constraints encompass factors such as the overall building size, the number, function, and size of required spaces, and even the surrounding neighborhood's existing buildings, infrastructure, and natural environment. Particularly the requirements of interior layout design are usually coupled with each other, making the design process more complex and time-consuming. This paper proposes a novel manner to consider the requirements, aiming to facilitate the generation process of building's interior layout during the early design phase. Besides, this paper aims to generate vectored output, which is more applicable to export BIM model, which also benefits the subsequent design and construct steps. This paper introduces STREAMER Early Design Configurator (EDC) and SDaC Layout Designer, both of which formats the user's requirements, semi-automatically generates interior layouts and exports IFC models of the floor plans. STREAMER EDC is used to discover the potential layouts of large-scale buildings with many rooms such as hospitals, while SDaC Layout Designer focuses on residential houses with comparatively fewer rooms. These drafts are enriched with additional data, including placement information, volume details, and space utilization. Ultimately, the floor plans are exported into three-dimensional objects and exported in the IFC format. This comprehensive step paves the way for more efficient and informed building design, promoting greater flexibility and adaptability in the early stages of the architectural process.

CFD Analysis of the Impact of Building Layout and Morphology on Pedestrian-Level Airflow and Pollutant Stagnation in Urban Areas with Well-Developed Surface Boundary Layers

CFD Analysis of the Impact of Building Layout and Morphology on Pedestrian-Level Airflow and Pollutant Stagnation in Urban Areas with Well-Developed Surface Boundary Layers

Solar-assisted biogas system with air-source heat pump for the energy-saving of indoor heating in north China

Abstract To address the challenges associated with winter heating in high-latitude regions of China, solar-assisted biogas heating systems have emerged as the predominant focus of research due to their cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and environmentally friendly attributes. However, traditional solar-assisted biogas heating systems encounter issues of low efficiency and limited practicality resulting from unstable solar radiation and extreme ambient temperatures during the heating season. To improve the economy and stability of the system, this study proposed a novel operational control method for a small-scale energy station system in rural regions of North China, named Solar-Biomass-Air Source Heat Pump Hybrid Heating System (SBHP-HHS). The integration of solar energy, biogas energy, and air-source heat pump (ASHP) systems in this proposed work has shown to create effective complementarity and enhances the production efficiency of the existing system. Test and simulation studies have been carried out for this system. The layout of buildings and equipment within a university campus in Beijing is reconfigured and redesigned, incorporating an ASHP into the existing heat source configuration. To begin with, a mathematical model is established for the complementary heating system that incorporates solar energy, a biogas digester, and an ASHP. Subsequently, a dynamic simulation model is developed using the TRNSYS platform, and a corresponding operational control strategy for the multi-energy complementary heating system is proposed. Dynamic simulation and analysis of the newly implemented system are performed using the TRNSYS platform, focusing on energy flow and thermodynamic performance. Throughout the heating season, the solar-biogas integrated system achieves a remarkable assurance rate of up to 79%. Additionally, ASHP maintains a relatively high heating efficiency, coefficient of performance (COP) reaches 3.02. Finally, an economic evaluation of the multi-energy complementary system was conducted based on the annual cost method. This was compared with the clean approach of using only an ASHP unit. The results indicate that the SBHP-HHS is more economical when the anticipated useful life is 6 years or longer. The results indicate that the proposed can achieve significant energy-saving and carbon-reduction benefits in rural areas, catering to their heating needs.

Detecting Gender Discrimination in the Layout of Residential Buildings: A Comparative AnalysisDetecting Gender Discrimination in the Layout of Residential Buildings: A Comparative Analysis

Detecting Gender Discrimination in the Layout of Residential Buildings: A Comparative AnalysisDetecting Gender Discrimination in the Layout of Residential Buildings: A Comparative Analysis

Design for disassembly and cultural sites. The use of modular architecture and prefabrication in exhibition venues

The article discusses the use of modular architecture and prefabrication in exhibition venues, looking at the possibility of designing installations with multiple temporalities. Through four concrete experimentations, we discuss ways of repurposing precast modules in new layouts with different functional programs in line with the “design for disassembly” concept. The article also emphasises the relevance of the massive residential construction programme based on modular and prefabricated systems launched by the German Democratic Republic in the mid-1970s, and the importance of reducing the environmental impact of concrete production today. Moreover, aiming at the need to devise new strategies, it presents a research agenda towards the adoption of prefabricated modules or the cultural sector. The four cases presented here are derived from the experimental use of modular solutions by the Porto-based practice SUMMARY: the GOMOS system indicates that prefabricated modules may have a longer lifespan than traditional building layouts, as they can be repurposed, making their reuse economically viable and environmentally friendly; the “Infrastructure-Structure-Architecture” installation at La Biennale 2016 reflects on possible adjustments in the construction industry; the project for the 2018 YAP MAXXI showcases the design process of a temporary installation that becomes a permanent building; and the VR exhibition “The Reasons Offsite” addresses prefabrication as a portable dissemination project.

Wood Construction Practices of the Dong Ethnic Group (Guangxi Province, China)

This exploratory multiple-case study aims to analyse the ecological design of wooden houses in Dong villages (Guangxi province, China). Residential and public Dong houses were investigated from ecological and cultural perspectives. The results show that topography (i.e., building near the river in a mountainous area) is the main factor influencing the Dong building construction process. It also affects the building layout decisions. The life cycle assessment was applied to collect general information about the exterior and interior design of the Dong settlements. For this, a range of pictures and historical facts (e.g., demand for fire ponds and balconies, ornament usage, etc.) was analysed. The study suggests fir timber as a basic ecological resource for wooden house buildings. Yet, it is highly flammable and increases the fire risk. A brief discussion on the cultural heritage of the Dong people and its influence on their building system was presented. The present findings can be used in future eco-design projects as a brief guideline for creating a traditional-style ethnic wooden house.

Evacuation scenario optimization in buildings with human anthropometric characteristics

Emergency evacuations are critical situations that threaten people's lives and safety, necessitating robust planning and prevention strategies. Anthropometric data, which are numerical expressions of human body measurements, play a vital role in architectural design by helping determine safe evacuation routes. This data is crucial for understanding the physical characteristics and mobility of building occupants, allowing for optimized evacuation routes that accommodate the needs of various groups, such as the elderly, children, and individuals with physical disabilities. The Social Forces Model (SFM) is an important tool used to understand the behavior and movement of crowds, modeling these aspects mathematically by considering social interactions and environmental factors. This study develops a system to enhance emergency evacuation scenarios in buildings using anthropometric data and SFM. This system analyzes the evacuation process and identifies optimal routes, contributing significantly to ensuring safety and minimizing damage during disasters. The research shows that using anthropometric data and SFM in architectural design is essential for effective emergency evacuation planning and management. Simulations that incorporate the diverse physical characteristics of people demonstrate notable improvements in evacuation times compared to those using fixed values, with up to 10.20 % improvement in single-exit scenarios and up to 13.45 % in two-exit scenarios. Furthermore, evacuation routes are optimized using SFM, and histograms are employed to identify the most preferred routes during panic situations. This data-driven approach informs the design of building and floor layouts, as well as the materials and decorations used, ensuring that evacuation routes remain clear and accessible. Removing obstacles and facilitating easy passage during emergencies significantly enhances the effectiveness of evacuations. Overall, the integration of anthropometric data and SFM in building design is shown to create faster and safer evacuation processes, ultimately improving emergency response and safety.

Architectural techniques for protecting industrial buildings

The article will discuss the architectural features of industrial buildings that are resistant to potential terrorist and other attacks. The most typical threats will be considered (external attacks, threat of explosion from outside and inside) and the corresponding protection goals (protection of the site perimeter, control of entry points, use of sustainable structural systems, safe finishing elements, use of protective structures at the landscape level). A brief historical excursion will show what fortification techniques may be relevant in our time. Modern analogues of industrial buildings are studied, new innovative protection measures are analyzed. As conclusions, architectural means that must be taken into account in the layout of industrial buildings and the master plan of industrial zones in general will be described to create a safe environment that is protected from possible attacks.

Modern architectural landscape planning and design based on environmental sensors and 3D point cloud processing

With the continuous development of modern technology, the application of sensor technology in architectural landscape planning and design is becoming increasingly widespread. The combination of environmental sensors and 3D point cloud processing technology provides new possibilities for modern architectural landscape planning and design. Environmental sensors can provide accurate environmental data support for the design process by monitoring the climate conditions of the building site in real-time, better understanding the natural environmental characteristics of the building site, and making targeted planning and design. Environmental sensors can accurately measure the intensity and direction of light, helping designers arrange the layout and window design of buildings to maximize the use of natural lighting. By monitoring and analyzing temperature data, the design team can effectively optimize the energy consumption management of buildings and improve their energy efficiency performance. The combination of 3D point cloud processing technology and environmental sensor data accurately restores the real environment of the building site to a digital model, allowing designers to conduct comprehensive spatial analysis and design. This digital and intelligent design process improves the precision and efficiency of design, allowing the design team to better understand the environmental characteristics of the building site and achieve intelligent and personalized landscape design, Injecting new vitality and creativity into future architectural planning and design.

Fast Prediction and Optimization of Building Wind Environment Using CFD and Deep Learning Method

CFD offers advantages over wind tunnel experiments in the prediction and optimization of building wind environment; however, the computational costs associated with optimizing architectural wind environment remain a challenge. In this study, an approach that combines deep learning techniques with CFD simulations is proposed for the prediction and optimization of the architectural wind environment efficiently. A dataset of wind field is constructed using CFD simulation, considering various wind directions, wind speeds, and building spacing. Subsequently, a U-net deep learning model is trained as a surrogate model to rapidly predict the architectural wind field under different conditions. The results indicate that the model can accurately predict the wind field in buildings. The prediction time of building wind field is only 1/900 of that of CFD simulations, making it a viable surrogate model for wind environment optimization. Furthermore, considering all the building layouts and inflow conditions examined in this study, the maximum and minimum uniform wind speed area ratios Auni are 0.84 and 0.13, respectively. Under a single inflow speed, the maximum improvement in the Auni is 0.4, with an improvement rate of 48%. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method as an efficient approach for optimizing architectural wind environment.

AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY FOR VISUALIZING DIPANEGARA UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS

Multimedia technology continues to advance, one of which is Augmented Reality (AR) technology, commonly known as the technology for merging virtual objects into the real world. Building brochures, which only display building photos and are visible from only one side, require us to visit the building to view its structure. Therefore, an idea emerged for a design of an application that uses Android-based Augmented Reality technology. This application allows users to view a more realistic physical shape of the building without visiting it directly by directing the camera towards a marker displaying the building's logo and showing a 3D model of the Dipanegara University building. It also provides general information about the building. This application is designed using 3DS Max, Unity, and Vuforia SDK, making it easier for prospective students to view the building's layout. Keywords : 3DS Max, Android, Augmented Reality, Unity, Visualization.