Installation Practices Research Articles

Advancing noise reduction strategies for domestic air-source heat pumps

With the increasing adoption of heat pump technology in the energy sector, addressing noise emissions is crucial for public acceptance, regulatory compliance, and sustainable urban planning. Air-Source Heat Pump's noise emission, noise sources, reduction strategies, problematic frequency ranges, and noise transmission within buildings are considered. Various noise reduction strategies, including the strategic siting, enclosures, and vibration isolation techniques, are discussed. This study considered a scenario of heat pump noise emission which generated noise complaints. The heat pump noise source is investigated though 24 hour monitoring of far field acoustics in a suburban residence. A commercial implementation of ISO 9613 is used to predict the environmental noise impact. Results demonstrated that levels exceeded natural background by as much as 10-15 dB but that this could be mitigated through strategic placement of the heat pump. This study underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive noise control strategies for Air-Source Heat Pumps in urban areas to safeguard community well-being and ensure regulatory compliance. By integrating innovative noise reduction technologies and considering factors such as strategic location of Air-Source Heat Pump, installation practices, building design, and proper urban planning policies can enhance Air-Source Heat Pump's reliability while promoting a sustainable urban development.

A study of XLPE insulation failure in power cables under electromagnetic stress

Underground cables with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation are integral to medium voltage (MV) power transmission systems, ensuring continuous electricity supply amidst operational challenges and environmental conditions. However, the reliability of these cables can be compromised over time due to aging and installation-related factors, particularly at joints and terminations. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of how various defects, including spherical air voids, pinholes, and irregularities in semiconducting layers, affect electric field and potential distributions within cable end terminations using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Through detailed simulations, the study identifies significant variations in electric field strength caused by these defects, highlighting critical stress concentration areas. In this study, it assumed that the cable and termination have the same cross-section. By analyzing these simulations, the study provides insights into optimizing cable design and installation practices to enhance the reliability and lifespan of underground power transmission systems. This study introduces a novel approach by combining advanced COMSOL Multiphysics simulations with a detailed analysis of defect impacts on electric field distributions, offering new insights into stress concentrations and degradation at cable terminations. Simulation outcomes reveal significant variations in electric field strengths due to air voids and pinholes in cables and terminations: for 2 mm voids, up to 2.45×106 V mm−1 near the conductor and 56.5 V mm−1 at termination. These findings enhance the understanding of XLPE-insulated cable behavior under electromagnetic stress, providing a basis for mitigating failures and improving overall system performance.

Withdrawal Capacity of a Novel Rigging Device for Prefabricated Wood I-Joist Floor Panels

Prefabricated wood construction relies heavily on efficient material handling, yet rigging system design for floor panels remains understudied. This study introduces a novel rigging device that attaches to prefabricated wood I-joist floor panels using self-tapping screws, avoiding potential damage caused by predrilled holes in the sheathing panels and framing members. To establish allowable lifting capacities and optimal installation practices, comprehensive withdrawal tests were conducted on 114-floor panel specimens. Factors influencing withdrawal capacity, such as anchor plate placements, flange materials and width, screw type and quantity, and sheathing panel thickness, were systematically evaluated. Results indicate that withdrawal capacity does not scale linearly with screw quantity and that anchor plates with eight screws centered on the flange enhance performance by up to 20% compared to four-screw configurations. Unexpectedly, thinner sheathing panels yielded higher capacities, potentially due to increased screw penetration depth in the joist flange. In addition, anchor plate orientation, flange width, and flange materials also impact capacity. These findings provide essential data for designing reliable and efficient rigging systems in prefabricated wood construction.

Ensuring fire safety: compliance tests for the use of polystyrene foam in facades systems

Ensuring fire safety is the most important thing in the construction industry, especially when it comes to facade materials. The inherent flammability of polystyrene foam poses significant safety concerns, especially when integrated into facade systems. Therefore, the main focus is on meeting the strict flammability requirements set for construction products, which are assessed by applying rigorous test procedures. This study focuses on the fire resistance testing of a facade system using EPS 70 with graphite additives. The system has been evaluated according to the strict DIN 4102-20 standards. Tests were conducted under real-world conditions to gain insight into the performance of the EPS 70 in real-world fire scenarios. Temperature measurements were taken at various points in the facade system, including at least 3.5 meters above the combustion chamber. The results showed that the temperature does not exceed 500 °C, so it is possible to quantify the thermal properties of the material and the ability to prevent the vertical spread of fire. After the tests, detailed post-test inspections were carried out to evaluate the internal flame propagation after removing the top layer of plaster. The study confirms that polystyrene foam EPS 70 with graphite additives meets the fire safety requirements of DIN 4102-20, which suggests that it can be used more widely in building facades to improve fire safety in residential and commercial buildings. The study highlights the importance of adhering to installation standards, emphasizing the need for accurate installation practices. It also encourages the development of new composite materials with similar or improved fire safety properties, laying the foundation for further innovations in fire-resistant materials

Investigation of Lightning and Grounding Installation Practices That Resulted in a Turbine-Generator Failure Within an LNG Supplied Generation Plant

Investigation of Lightning and Grounding Installation Practices That Resulted in a Turbine-Generator Failure Within an LNG Supplied Generation Plant

Drawing and installation on the British Peak District: Self, environment and a mobile working kit

This text reports about my practice-based doctoral research project exploring the question ‘How can the relationships between self and the outdoor environment of Bakestonedale Moor manifest in a creative arts practice from drawing and installation?’. I have developed a drawing and installation practice as the bearer and expression of my relationship with the outdoor places of the British Peak District in the vicinity of Pott Shrigley. This led to the development of the ‘mobile working kit’, a collection of modules fashioned from paper, string, wood and fabric, which I use to make drawings and mark the land with sculptural additions. My outdoor art-making events may only last a few hours but I later exhibit its artefacts as indoor art displays complemented by photographs and videos from the outdoor sites. I provide descriptions of two drawing activities outdoors, first, using a three-dimensional fence-like paper sculpture as a drawing surface and, second, drawing on a ground-based paper platform. These examples of art-making are then contextualized in reference to Barad’s concept of intra-activity where material changes in the world are understood to occur in co-constitutional negotiation of all active components. I use this concept and Barad’s understanding of performativity to describe process in art-making and in geological, meteorological and biological changes outdoors. I then relate these positions to current performance drawing in reference to the role of the artist and how the arts practice determines her connection to the outdoor environment.

Experimental Development and Field Validation of Rock Anchors for Sustainable Onshore Foundations

The development of an innovative rock anchor prototype manufactured using high strength steel sheets produced locally in Sweden is the core of the PROWIND concept. Steel sheets provide a design freedom to easily manufacture complex geometries, which can be advantageous to enhance the shear force transmission in the bond-length segment of the anchor. The underlying challenge of this concept has been to design a solution which meets the design requirements of today and future technological advancements, all while keeping conventional installation practices in mind. The project followed a 4-step development process: (1) concept analysis and modelling, (2) small-scale prototypes testing and (3) large scale lab-validation and lastly (4) field validation. The performance of the developed rock anchor prototype and grouting material was experimentally quantified on both small and large-scale test specimens and also validated in full scale in the field concerning installation process, proof-loading and maintaining the prestress over time. The PROWIND anchors with the end feature with ribbed design have 4-5 times higher load bearing capacity. The experience from the anchor installation proved that the developed grout and anchors are faster and easier to install. The field test in two different geological conditions has proven that the news design is reducing the required anchorage length to just 1 meter. The restressing of anchors is fully possible with the proposed lock-off solution with a nut. All of those contribute to lower costs of installations and possibly longer service-life.

Optimal Sizing of a Battery-Supported Electric Vehicle Charging Hub with a Limited-Capacity Grid Connection

The ever-increasing electrification of society has been a cause of utility grid issues in many regions around the world. With the increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Netherlands, many new charge points (CPs) are required. A common installation practice of CPs is to group multiple CPs together on a single grid connection, the so-called charging hub. To further ensure EVs are adequately charged, various control strategies can be employed, or a stationary battery can be connected to this network. A pilot project in Amsterdam was used as a case study to validate the Python model developed in this study using the measured data. This paper presents an optimisation of the battery energy storage capacity and the grid connection capacity for such a P&R-based charging hub with various load profiles and various battery system costs. A variety of battery control strategies were simulated using both the optimal system sizing and the case study sizing. A recommendation for a control strategy is proposed.

Effectiveness of Mobile Virtual Laboratory Based on Project-Based Learning to Build Constructivism Thinking

Constructivism as a theoretical basis in education is key, considering that this approach views learning as an active process where students play a role in constructing their own knowledge. Apart from that, the development of mobile and virtual technology is increasingly growing in the educational environment. This research explores the effectiveness of this approach in building constructivist thinking in learning electrical installation practices. The method used in this research is the 4D Define, Design, Develop and Disseminate model. The research instruments include an expert review validity questionnaire and an evaluation instrument for students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Mobile Virtual Laboratory Based on Project-Based Learning in building constructivism. The research results show that the Mobile Virtual Laboratory is valid based on expert assessment, in addition there has been a significant increase in students’ understanding of concepts and practical skills, with a high level of satisfaction with the use of the Mobile Virtual Laboratory. So, it can be concluded that the Mobile Virtual Laboratory based on Project-Based Learning can be an effective tool to support constructivist learning in electrical measurement practice. The results of this research open opportunities for further research on how Artificial Intelligence can build constructive thinking.

A Review of Life Cycle Construction Process and Cutting-Edge Technology in Prefabricated MEP Installation Engineering

Prefabricated installation, a pivotal study in the realm of contemporary construction practices, delves into the utilization of prefabrication within mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Despite its ascending prominence, the domain grapples with ambiguities in application pathways, uncertain developmental trajectories, and the absence of a holistic technical paradigm. This research endeavors to bridge these gaps by conducting a thorough and multidimensional investigation into the current landscape of prefabricated MEP installation initiatives. This study meticulously dissects the paradigm from five critical vantage points: historical evolution, standards and regulations, life cycle analysis, technological applications, and corporate implementation strategies. At present, there is still a lack of standards and specifications specifically for the field of assembled MEP installation. The analysis reveals a trend towards intelligent and sustainable installation practices in prefabricated MEP projects. The research predominantly focuses on the design, production, and installation stages. Notably, building information modeling (BIM) emerges as the most prominent technology, followed by the Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D laser scanning, with extended reality (XR) technologies gaining traction. Large, state-owned construction firms are spearheading innovative applications in this realm. In summary, this paper provides an overview and outlook for the development direction and the application of cutting-edge technologies in prefabricated MEP installation projects, with the aim of supporting the industry’s advancement.

Constructing a zero leak landfill cell

Engineered landfill barriers are the last line of defence in protecting precious groundwater resources from contamination. A landfill cell without any leaks at the conclusion of construction is the exception rather than the rule. From design to materials testing to installation practices and contractor care, all of these elements contribute to both the short and long-term integrity of the lining system. Electrical leak location (ELL) methods can be used to detect leaks in installed landfill cells after construction so that leaks can be repaired before a landfill cell begins filling operations. However, the thorough testing of landfill cells using ELL can be complicated by their complex configuration. The dipole method, employed after cover material placement, requires electrical isolation of the cover material, which is difficult to achieve with a landfill expansion cell configuration. Additionally, employing only this type of testing can leave the tie-in area untested, which is a critical area prone to damage. This paper provides solutions for complete landfill expansion cell testing, including a relatively new testing methodology (ASTM D8265, [1]), which provides protocol for verifying that a geomembrane has been successfully installed with no leaks. A case study is included to show how ASTM D8265 can be used to provide documentation of a zero-leak condition of a landfill cell after construction. Common elements of design, geomembrane installation, and quality assurance are discussed in order to provide a road map of how to reach a zero-leak condition at the end of a landfill expansion cell construction project. This paper can be used as a guide to constructing a zero-leak landfill cell using state-of-the art construction practices and ELL testing methodologies.

Influences of Wiring Inside Ready-Made Connecting Devices on EMI in Medical Electronic Systems

In this letter, electromagnetic interference in medical electronic systems related to the use of ready-made connecting devices is investigated. It has been observed that under some conditions, an inadequate number of shielding pins and their distribution in connectors and plugs may cause unacceptable EMI, especially when it occurs in e.g., a surgery room. In real-life situations, installers are often deciding on how to arrange the shielding connections, while not being trained in EMC-aware design. To get more insight and reveal the influence of some parameters of the shielding wiring, a lab measurement setup has been derived from a real environment, showing the impact of using imperfectly shielded connectors with different number and distributions of shielding wires. Suggestions for reducing the EMI of systems are proposed and can be applied to support installation practices and/or debugging in practical situations and various user environments.

Installation of geosynthetic interlayers during overlay construction: Case study of Texas State Highway 21

Geosynthetic interlayers in the form of geotextiles, geogrids, and geocomposites have been used to minimize reflective cracks and enhance overlay performance through functions such as stress relief, reinforcement and moisture barrier. However, proper geosynthetic installation and asphalt overlay construction practices are essential to the adequate performance of geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt overlays. In this study, various factors determining the successful construction of a geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt overlay are discussed in light of experiences during the construction of experimental test sections constructed in Texas State Highway 21. The project included nine different types of geosynthetic interlayers including four polymeric geogrid composites, three fiberglass geogrid composites, one fiberglass grid, and a fiberglass paving mat. The experimental test section included both sensor- and non-instrumented sections. The constructability evaluation of such experimental sections revealed that the primary factors influencing tack coat type and application rates include the pre-existing surface condition, geosynthetic type and their asphalt retention capacities. The geosynthetic installation procedures adopted in the experimental sections were proficient and comprised a specialized installation equipment that is capable of pre-tensioning the geosynthetics during the installation to minimize wrinkles and irregularities. Additionally, particularly high temperature of the pre-existing asphalt surface resulted in blistering of geotextile backing and subsequently leading into an excessive bleeding of tack coat through the geosynthetic apertures that resulted in tracking of construction equipment wheels. Recommendations on efficient geosynthetic installation and overlay construction techniques include adopting the tack coat type and application rates based on project-specific conditions, and using such tack coat to determine the asphalt retention capacity of the geosynthetic interlayer to be used in the project. Additional recommendations include minimizing the movement of construction vehicles on top of the geosynthetic interlayer, and adopting asphalt sanding technique to restore the friction between the paver and surface to minimize possible damage to the geosynthetic interlayer.

Construction of Geosynthetic–Reinforced Pavements and Evaluation of Their Impacts

Geosynthetic materials (i.e., geogrids, geotextiles and other geocomposites) act as an interlayer system and are widely used in construction applications. In pavement structures, geosynthetic layers provide potential benefits such as reinforcement, reflective cracking mitigation, increased fatigue life, and improved drainage and filtering. However, few studies have addressed the installation and construction practices of geosynthetics in pavements. Furthermore, the study of geosynthetics and their contribution during construction are limited. In this paper, a full-scale field study was conducted and three trial sections were constructed; two types of geosynthetics, a fibreglass geogrid and a geogrid composite, were installed in the asphalt binder course and at the interface between the subgrade and base layer, respectively, to be compared with a control section without geosynthetic reinforcement. Trial sections were instrumented to monitor the pressure applied on the subgrade, the strain in the base lift of the asphalt binder course, the temperature, and the moisture within the pavement structure during construction. In addition, post-construction field testing was performed to measure the stiffness of the pavements after construction. The results indicated that geosynthetic-reinforced pavements can maintain pavement resilience during construction and significantly mitigate the disturbances caused by construction activities. The geogrid embedded in the asphalt layer was demonstrated to reduce the pressure at the subgrade caused by paving equipment by 70% compared with the control section, while simultaneously reducing the longitudinal and transverse strain at the bottom of the asphalt layer by 54% and 99%. Observations from the geogrid composite test section also demonstrate the potential to minimize the impacts of future freeze–thaw at the subgrade due to the improved drainage and indirect insulation effect.

Wind loading on commercial roof edge metals: A full-scale experimental study

Roof edge metal systems provide an effective interface between the roof of a building to its walls and are used to secure and protect the edge of the roof membrane. Previous studies show that damage involving roof systems mostly occurs because of their failure at perimeter edges under high winds. This study presents an effort to evaluate wind loads on these edge metal elements by conducting full-scale experiments at the NHERI Wall of Wind (WOW) Experimental Facility (EF) at Florida International University. In addition to full-scale aerodynamic and failure assessment test protocols, the experimental campaign, for the first time to the authors’ knowledge, consisted of investigating the effect of wind-induced vibrations on these dynamically sensitive systems. Pressure measurements were conducted at different layers of the edge metals systems by considering the most common installation practices in the industry. The results showed that these roofing elements experience high suctions due to near-parallel wind flows and are susceptible to significant vibration even at low wind speeds, which is a phenomenon not captured in current static pull testing. Moreover, peak pressure coefficients were also observed to increase with wind speeds due to increased dynamic contributions which may amplify the aerodynamic loads by more than about 25%. Furthermore, utilization of edge metal configurations with a higher degree of flexibility was observed to possibly reduce suction on roofing components and appurtenances.

Degradation analysis of polycrystalline silicon modules from different manufacturers under the same climatic conditions

Different kinds of photovoltaic modules from various manufacturers have entered the PV market. However, the long-term performance of these modules under outdoor conditions is uncertain. This study evaluated the degradation of polycrystalline silicon modules from 11 different manufacturers installed under the same climatic conditions in Kumasi, Ghana with the aim of predicting the long-term performance of the modules. Specifically, this study sought to: (i) analyse the power degradation rates of the modules and determine the correlation between the degradation and the age of the modules, (ii) determine the correlation between the power degradation and other electrical performance parameters of the modules, (iii) identify the modules with visual defects and compare their degradation rates with the modules without any visual defects, (iv) compare the degradations of PV modules from the same manufacturer installed under the same climatic conditions for the same number of years and (v) assess the installation and maintenance practices that could negatively affect the degradation of the modules. Forty-eight PV modules from 11 different manufacturers were sampled from 12 PV systems installed between 5 and 9 years. The methods used were visual inspection, observation, interviews, and current–voltage (I-V) tracings. The results revealed the mean power degradation rates of the modules between 0.79 and 1.67%/year, contingent on the manufacturer. The power degradation rate had no correlation with the age of the modules but the power degradation of all modules was mainly due to the degradation of short circuit current (Isc) of the modules. Light encapsulant discoloration, dark encapsulant discoloration, minor frames corrosion, and minor metallization discoloration were found on modules from four different manufacturers. However, the degradation of electrical performance parameters could not be solely attributed to these visual defects. Slight variations in degradations were observed for PV modules from the same manufacturer installed under the same climatic conditions for the same number of years. The installation and maintenance practices of the system owners were similar and unlikely to impact differently on the degradation of the modules from different manufacturers.

Measurement Model of Technopreneurship Intentions and the Performance of Electrical Lighting Installation Practices in Vocational High School

The aims of this study are to produce measurement model of the intention of technopreneurship and the performance of the practice of electric lighting installations. Analysis of the data used is confirmatory factor analysis. Confirmatory Factor Analysis has several stages to determine the results. These stages include determining goodness of fit, calculating path estimation, calculating loading factor, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and calculating reliability using Construct Reliability (CR). Goodness of fit is determined by looking for the Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI), Norm Fit Index (NFI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), or Root-Mean-Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). CFI, RMSEA, loading factor, and tcount values met the suitability index criteria. These results indicate that the model for measuring technopreneurship intention variables and the performance of electrical lighting installation practices theoretically matches the field data, so that the measurement model is acceptable.

The Feasibility of the Smart Building Training Kit as Learning Media for Electrical Lighting Installation Practices in Vocational High Schools

The purposes of this study are: (1) to produce smart building training kit products, and (2) to find out the feasibility of the smart building trainer kit as a learning medium for Electrical Lighting Installation Practices in Vocational High Schools (VHS). This research employed the research and development (R D) with the ADDIE model based on Branch (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate). The techniques to collect the data included interviews, observations, and questionnaires. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The research results show that (1) smart building trainer kit has been produced as a learning tool for Electric Lighting Installation Practices at VHSs with the dimensions of 96 cm in length, 67 cm in height, 25 cm in width at the bottom, and 13 cm at the top; and (2) the developed product was declared very feasible by material experts (95.83%), very feasible by media experts (89.06%), and appropriate by VHS students (80.8%).

Performance of asphalt shingles under simulated hurricane winds and evaluation of current installation practices

This paper investigates the wind resistance of asphalt shingles, evaluates the efficiency of their current installation methods, and addresses the lack of a system-level resistance metric from a wind engineering standpoint. The study examined the wind performance of asphalt shingles considering three installation practices recommended in high-velocity wind areas and three nailing non-conformities due to workmanship issues by conducting full-scale failure assessment tests at the NHERI Wall of Wind Experimental Facility. Roofing Application Standard (RAS) No. 115 and FEMA's recommended practices, with and without modifications, were used as recommended practices; while missing nails, over-driven nailing, and high-nailing cases were simulated as installation deviations or errors. Monoslope, gable, and hip roof decks were also used to study the contribution of roofing geometries. The results showed that asphalt shingles installed using methods recommended by the current guidelines may be vulnerable to wind flows from critical directions. Asphalt shingles, tested in the current work, experienced failure at wind speeds below their design level, especially due to cavity pressurization. Nailing non-conformities were also observed to compromise shingles' performance. Additionally, asphalt shingle failure modes, extents, and areas varied with roof geometries and the employed installation methods.

Ground-Return Parameters of Submarine Cables Buried in the Seabed

The computation of sea/seabed-return distributed parameters of subsea cables is a relevant topic due to the growing importance of submarine connections. This article presents for the first time new formulas for the computation of self and mutual ground impedances and admittances for submarine cables buried in the seabed. The original theory developed by Sunde is applied to a three-media model with air, sea, and seabed. Referring to the practical installation practice of the Italian transmission system operator Terna S.p.A., we compare the prediction of the available models and assess the effect of the different approximations on the computation of the per unit length ground parameters. Finally, we define the limits of applicability of the available models that differ in accuracy and complexity.