Interior Conditions Research Articles

Facade Design Strategies to utilize Daylight in Composite Climate

Abstract: An overview of the building envelopes and shading techniques utilised in composite climates to make advantage of solar radiation and daylight in modern architecture is provided in this study. It provides an examination of various methodologies and a concise analysis of illustrative case studies. As it has an impact on a building's energy usage, daylighting plays a significant part in sustainable architecture. By encouraging excellent human health, well-being, and user comfort, daylight not only lessens the need on artificial lighting but also serves to increase job productivity. This paper involves both passive strategies as well as adaptive facades that can be used in composite climate. Due to their capacity to alter their behaviour in real time in response to interior and outdoor conditions through the use of materials, components, and systems, adaptive building envelopes can enhance a building's energy efficiency and economics. Several various kinds of adaptable facades have already been created, and more cutting-edge developments are likely to follow soon. Various strategies and literature studies already existing are discussed in this paper.

Mechanisms for the rise of atmospheric oxygen: Bridging surface oxygenation processes and redox conditions of deep interiors

Mechanisms for the rise of atmospheric oxygen: Bridging surface oxygenation processes and redox conditions of deep interiors

Effects of thermal mass on transient thermal performance of concrete-based walls and energy consumption of an office building

Reducing energy consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is an essential part of the clean growth and climate change framework recently developed by the Canadian government, which emphasizes the importance of energy-efficient building constructions. In this paper, the effects of thermal mass and placement of the thermally massive layer within wall assemblies on the transient thermal performance of walls and energy performance of a case study office building were studied. Three climate conditions representative of the heating-dominated, temperate, and cooling-dominated climates were considered. As for the assessment of energy demands, two cases for the indoor air temperature were taken into account: (i) indoor temperature was maintained at 20°C throughout the year, and (ii) during summertime, there was a set-point of 24°C and a setback of 35°C during the rest of the day while during wintertime, the set-point and setback values were 22°C and 18°C, respectively. The cases were compared according to the resulting decrement factor, the time required to reach quasi-steady state conditions, amplitudes of changes of heat fluxes and indoor surface temperatures, and the energy demands. The results showed that, for the cases studied, the wall, for which the thermally massive layer is not directly exposed to the indoor and outdoor climate conditions, resulted in the lowest decrement factor, the minimum amplitude of changes of heat fluxes and indoor surface temperatures, and maximum time required to reach quasi steady-state conditions. As for the energy performance, on the other hand, the wall, for which the thermally massive layer is exposed to the interior and exterior climate conditions, performed best amongst the cases investigated.

The Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Cover and Permafrost Degradation for a Subarctic Palsa Mire Based on UAS Photogrammetry and GPR Data in the Kola Peninsula

Subarctic palsa mires undergo substantial transformation under climate impacts, and today a reliable marker of their degradation is the vegetation cover. We studied the correspondence between the surface traits of palsa degradation, as expressed in the vegetation composition, and the interior condition of permafrost within subarctic palsa mires in the central part of the Kola Peninsula. We have employed a set of methods to collect the data, including geobotanical relevés, unmanned aerial system (UAS) photogrammetry, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey. Based on RGB orthophoto values and morphometric variables, we produced a land cover classification (LCC) consistent with the vegetation classes identified during field measurements. The outcome proves that the additional morphometric predictors improve the accuracy of classification algorithms. We identified three major patterns in GPR cross-sections defining (i) permafrost in palsas, (ii) water saturated peat, and (iii) the regular peat layer. As a result, our GPR data demonstrated a high correlation with land cover classes and pointed to some vegetation features controlled by the peat deposit inner structure. Under our results, palsas with thawing permafrost can be appraised using sequences of LCC. This is primarily the lichen hummock—tall shrub—carpet vegetation (LH–TSh–C) sequence from palsa top to foot. We have also detected an asymmetric configuration of permafrost in some palsas in the west-to-east direction and hypothesized that it can relate to the wind regime of the area and snow accumulation on the eastern slopes. Our results highlight that the combined application of the remote UAS photogrammetry and GPR survey enables a more precise delineation of the lateral degradation of palsas.

Dynamics of gas-driven eruption on Ceres as a probe to its interior

The mineralogy of localized bright deposits on Ceres observed by the DAWN mission suggests their brine-enriched cryovolcanic origin. Based on the morphological observations of these deposits, explosive and effusive styles have been proposed for their eruption. Because volcanic eruption style and velocity are controlled by the extent of gas expansion inside the conduit, constraints on the internal aqueous environment, such as gas concentration and temperature, could be placed based on the observations of localized deposits on Ceres. However, the way these properties control the eruption style and velocity is complex. Cryomagma ascending from a subsurface reservoir gains buoyancy due to both boiling of water and exsolution of dissolved gas, owing to decompression to the extremely low pressure near the Ceres surface. Gas–melt segregation should also affect the dynamics. Thus, it is not yet fully understood how the internal environment of Ceres affects the ascent dynamics of cryovolcanism and subsequently controls the styles (explosive versus effusive) and velocities of eruptions. To address this problem, we developed a one-dimensional steady-state two-phase flow model for the ascent dynamics of gas-driven cryomagma under the conditions of Ceres taking both water boiling and gas exsolution into account. We found that the velocity and explosivity of an eruption are strongly controlled by the following three parameters, which characterize the cryomagmatic environment of Ceres's interior: (a) conduit conductivity (CC; rc2/μ, where rc is the conduit radius and μ is the magma viscosity), (b) dissolved gas concentration c0, and (c) magma reservoir temperature T0. Our model results reveal that low CC always leads to effusive or low-explosivity eruptions. Higher CC allows explosive eruption when either c0 or T0 is sufficiently high. These dependences can be summarized as four modes of eruption under the following CC-c0-T0 conditions. (1) Exsolution-driven explosive eruptions (X1 type) occur with volatile-rich magma (CC ≳ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s) and c0 ≳ 0.1 wt% of CO2). (2) Boiling-driven explosive eruptions (X2 type) occur with warm magma (CC ≳ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s), c0 ≪ 0.1 wt% of CO2, and high T0). (3) Viscosity-induced effusive eruptions (F1 type) occur with a narrow conduit and/or high-viscosity magma (CC ≲ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s)). (4) Low-gas-production-induced effusive eruptions (F2 type) occur with low-temperature and low-volatile magma (CC ≳ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s), c0 ≪ 0.1 wt% of CO2, and low T0). Our model predicts that either c0 ≳ 0.5 wt% of CO2 or T0 ≳−5°C is required for explosive eruptions to achieve eruption velocities ≳30 m/s, which has been proposed based on the size of some large faculae on Ceres. Such gas-rich or warm magma condition is unlikely to be achieved by equilibrium within the shallow crust. Thus, our results suggest that magma needs to be supplied from a deeper subsurface. In contrast, low-velocity effusion of brines has also been proposed based on morphometric analyses of evaporites on Ceres. Our results show that magma of such brine effusions is viscous and transported to the surface through a narrow conduit or they are sourced from reservoirs equilibrated to the ambient material within the shallow crust. Because the effusive eruption origin of faculae in the Occator crater is consistent with small conduits, the effusive nature may not necessarily rule out relatively high-volatile or warm magma inside Ceres in the recent past. These results show that the morphometric properties of facula deposits can place important constraints on the internal conditions of Ceres when the relevant eruption style/velocity is known. Our modeling results indicate that detailed observations (e.g., vesicularity, cooling history, and inclusion of eroded conduit material) of deposits and the possible vent structure in faculae by landing missions allow us to further probe the interior conditions of Ceres (e.g., magma temperature, gas concentration, viscosity, and conduit size).

Image regularity conditions for nonconvex multiobjective optimization problems with applications

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate Lagrange saddle points and calmness properties for a nonconvex multiobjective optimization problem by virtue of image regularity conditions. Following along with the image space analysis, the quasi-interior, quasi-relative interior and linear image regularity conditions are presented. Simultaneously, some equivalent characterizations to Fritz John and Karush/Kuhn-Tucker saddle points are established respectively by virtue of the proposed image regularity conditions. Moreover, some calmness properties are also obtained by means of local conic image regularity conditions in the image space of the multiobjective optimization problem.

Sensitivity analysis, optimal design, cost and energy efficiency study of a hybrid forecast model using HOMER pro

Improved short-term wind forecasting for transmission system characteristics is needed to balance the power system with less stored capacity. Wind speed is studied using time-series analysis. Time series are repeated observations. Study of cost Energy efficiency reduces climate change, improves interior conditions, reduces air pollution to improve health, increases energy security, and determines cost-effectiveness for energy users. The hybrid optimization model for electrical renewables improves grid and off-grid electricity testing and design. It can model hybrid systems with generators, hydropower, wind turbines, batteries, solar PV, biomass, and fuel cells. Power engineers face challenges in identifying suitable energy sources, deciding the number of sources, and assessing and ensuring energy efficiency reductions. It optimizes and analyses system designs. This paper is split into 2 parts. Part 1 explains utilizing historical data to anticipate wind speed. The study examines an auto-regressive integrated moving average model, an artificial neural networks model, and a hybrid model for short-term wind speed prediction. The model's prediction accuracy considers root mean square error, mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error. The hybrid model forecasts wind data best. The second section compares the energy efficiency of two microgrid models: an AC natural gas generator in model 1 and an AC diesel generator in model 2. This study uses a hybrid optimization model for electrical renewables pro to determine Jafrabad, Gujrat's most energy-efficient model. Two system setup examples were designed to find the best solution. In this article, projected wind data is supplied for two models as inputs of the wind turbine in the hybrid optimization model for electrical renewables pro to estimate energy cost, net present cost, and sensitivity analysis for both cases to assess microgrid changes due to solar radiation, wind speed, and fuel price. Pollutant/greenhouse gas emissions are also compared for both cases.

Comprehensive Analysis and Evaluation of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 3

The estimation and understanding of the state of fuel debris and fission products inside the plant is an essential step in the decommissioning of the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F). However, the direct observation of the plant interior, which is under a high radiation environment, is difficult and limited. Therefore, in order to understand the plant interior conditions, a comprehensive analysis and evaluation are necessary, based on various measurement data from the plant, analysis of plant data during the accident progression phase, and information obtained from computer simulations for this phase. These evaluations can be used to estimate the conditions of the interior of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and the primary containment vessel (PCV). Herein, 1F Unit 3 is addressed as the subject to produce an estimated diagram of the fuel debris distribution from data obtained about the RPV and PCV based on the comprehensive evaluation of various measurement data and information obtained from the accident progression analysis, which were released to the public in November 2022.

An equation of state of CO for use in planetary modeling

Although carbon monoxide (CO) is an abundant molecule and may have great importance for planetary interiors, measurements of its properties are difficult due to its extreme volatility. We calculate the equation of state for CO over a range of temperature and density that is applicable to the conditions in planetary interiors. Previous experimental and theoretical studies cover only a limited temperature–density range. Our calculations match these early results well, but now cover the full range of relevance. The method of calculation is based on the general-purpose quotidian equation of state described by More et al. (1988), which is here used in order to generate a freely downloadable look-up table to be used by the community.

Multispecies contact zones: The entangled interior grounds of domestic livestock keeping

This study explores the interiority of traditional domestic livestock keeping, in which humans and animals cohabit and produce interior conditions created by the interdependence between the two. In investigating such a setting of cohabitation, this study appropriates Donna Haraway’s proposition of contact zones as spatial and material entanglements created through encounters between multispecies. This study argues that contact zones reflect a new form of interiority that decenters the human perspective in understanding space. This article explores the interiority of human–animal cohabitation by investigating domestic livestock-keeping practices in seven dwellings across three different areas of Central Java, Indonesia. This study focuses on the interior grounds of these dwellings, expanding the previous multispecies discourse that is often limited to the physical boundaries between humans and animals. The multispecies interior is revealed through narrating the caring encounters that alter the material grounds of these dwellings. This study identifies caring encounters created by the direct and indirect contact between dwellers, animals, and animal materials, as well as the spatial and material entanglements produced by these encounters. It concludes that the interiorization of encounters is influenced by the purposes of human–animal relations and the subsequent acts of encounter that create patterns of interdependencies. Such acts alter the experience, configuration, and flow of the material environment, informing the domestic interior programming of the multispecies dwellings.

CFD Modelling of the Interior Conditions of a Multipurpose Space

The article explores how CFD simulation tools can be applied to the design of central heating and air-conditioning systems in buildings. The models created with these tools can evaluate the thermal comfort conditions in the rooms, as well as the heat balance of the rooms. Thermal comfort is a key factor for the proper functioning of a building. It requires creating suitable thermal conditions indoors in both summer and winter. The article compares different heating ventilation and cooling methods using CFD.

Comparative Study About AAC Block with Porotherm Brick

Abstract: Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks are recently one of the newly adopted building materials. AAC is a product of fly ash which is mixed with lime, cement, and water and an aerating agent. The AAC is mainly produced as cuboid blocks and prefabricated panels. AAC is a type of concrete that is manufactured to contain lots of closed air voids. AAC blocks are energy efficient, durable, less dense, and lightweight. It is manufactured by adding a foaming additive to concrete in different sizes of molds as per requirement, then wire-cutting these blocks or panels from the resulting ‘cake lump’ and ‘heating them with steam. This process is called as Autoclaving. Porotherm clay bricks are horizontally or vertically perforated clay bricks. they are manufactured in variety of sizes (common size is 400x200x200 mm) from natural clay, coal ash, rice husk, and granite slurry. The term Porotherm is used for this type of brick due to its desired thermal insulation characteristics. The perforation of the clay brick provides an exception walling system which facilitates thermal insulation resulting in cooler interiors in hot seasons and warm interior conditions in cold seasons. The Porotherm clay bricks are easy to use, economical, environmentally friendly, and it can be used for the construction of both non-load bearing walls and load bearing walls. The Porotherm bricks are low weight, durable, strong, and possess a satisfactory fire resistance. It can be used with dry mortar which eliminate the need for curing time. Various researchers throughout the world carried out numerous works to investigate and study the behaviour of AAC block and Porotherm brick. Those works were discussed in the review of literature. Different test were conducted in both blocks and its strength are noted. In this project, AAC block made of quartz sand (SiO2 with impurities), calcined calcium sulfate (or plaster of paris), lime (CaO), cement, water and aluminum powder. In this regular practices, cement (26%), fly ash (25%), lime (38%), gypsum (2%), Aluminium powder (9%). In this project cement reduced to 20% , and fly ash increased to 30%. Various strength test can be performed and it can be compared with AAC block and Porotherm brick

Multiple kinetic processes of lamellar growth in crystallization of stretched lightly crosslinked polyethylene

The growth of polymer crystals is accompanied by the change of interior conditions as time evolves. Therefore, its underlying mechanism should be time-dependent. Here, we investigate the process of lamellar growth by measuring stretched lightly crosslinked high-density polyethylene samples with in situ small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Two analysis methods are used to track the lamellar radius. It is found that the lamellar growth sequentially undergoes three stages, i.e., the interface-controlled stage, the diffusion-controlled stage, and the crystal perfection stage through Ostwald ripening mechanism. The transition between the first and the second stages is related to the competition between the diffusion of chains towards the growth surface and the consumption of chains at the surface in the ideal interfacial kinetics. This transition is significantly affected by the yielding of the sample. The second transition corresponds to the depletion of crystallizable chains, and is directly reflected by the decrease of the polydispersity of lamella radius. These results highlight the importance of the chain consumption in determining the mechanism of lamellar growth.

Assessment of thermo-hygrometric environment of historic museum building in Constantine-Algeria

Assessing the indoor microclimate of heritage and historic buildings is important to preserve them and their contents and study their decay and damage processes. This study aims to evaluate the thermo-hygrometric environment, and its impact on the exhibited objects and visitors’ comfort of an old Ottoman Palace (Ahmed Bey) converted into a museum. The National Museum of Traditional Arts and Cultural Expressions-Ahmed Bey Palace-is located in Constantine, North East of Algeria, characterized by a semi-arid climate. The building has internal courtyards and does not have an HVAC system. The most critical thermo-hygrometric parameters have been calculated and assessed in the exhibition’s permanents rooms using the HD32.3 datalogger during the winter period from January to March of 2019. The measured data were compared to acceptable values suggested by the Italian Standard UNI 10829 for artefact preservation and to the corresponding external outdoor conditions. The results show that the interior conditions of exhibition rooms are mainly dependent on the external climatic conditions. The air temperature values are out of the acceptable range, while the relative humidity values are higher than the acceptable values. Thus, the monitoring parameters are not reasonably acceptable for the preservation of the kind of objects exhibited and the thermal comfort of visitors.

Mutual Interaction of Daylight and Overheating in the Attic Space in Summer Time

The classroom space located in the attic of an old building is the subject of this study. The building was renovated and new spaces were created in the unused attic to expand classrooms. The original space under the sloping roof was not used because its internal headroom was not suitable. During the restoration, the entire original truss was raised gradually (in parts) by 1.2 m. This created a space with an entire area that can be used for classrooms. Continuous strips of vertical windows measuring 860/600 mm were installed in the space which enable a visual connection between the interior space and the exterior. At roof level, there are also two rows of skylights above each other which ensure enough daylight is present but create unpleasant overheating in the summer. The purpose of this study is to find a way to optimize the shading of transparent surfaces and the heat accumulation of building structures in order to achieve suitable interior conditions in the attic. This task was achieved by shading the windows in the attic. Shaded windows decrease illumination by 82% compared to unshaded ones. The percentage decrease in illumination is more significant than the decrease in the maximum temperature due to overheating. Additionally, the maximum temperature in the attic drops by only 31% if vertical and skylight windows are shaded with external blinds compared to unshaded windows. The minimum air temperature reached in the attic also drops by 26%. In order for users in the attic space to feel comfortable, it is necessary to use HVAC equipment in addition to the design of suitably built structures and window shading.

Hardwood regeneration in red pine plantations: Thinning and site quality effects on changes in density and species composition from edges to interiors

Red pine plantations may promote more desirable hardwood regeneration than hardwood stands because of differences in: 1) the composition and quantity of tree seeds available, and 2) abiotic and biotic properties of growth and establishment environments. However, information on how distance from hardwood edges, thinning of overstory pine, and site quality shapes hardwood regeneration properties in red pine plantations is scarce. Such information would aid in understanding and managing red pine plantation effects on hardwood regeneration processes and guide spatial and temporal rotations of such effects across landscapes. To elucidate relationships, we monitored hardwood seedlings and canopy openness across transitions from hardwood edges to red pine plantation interiors at 40 sites spanning a site quality gradient in northwestern-lower Michigan. Hardwood seedling density: 1) declined substantially from edges to interiors at all but low-quality sites before stabilizing 30-m into plantations, 2) was reduced, or not affected, by thinning despite positive effects on seedling light environments, and 3) was greater at intermediate than high- and low- quality sites. From edges to interiors, species composition shifted towards Acer rubrum, Quercus species, and Prunus serotina and away from Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, and Ostrya virginiana. Species increasing in relative abundance and/or density from edges to interiors were generally more drought-tolerant, shade-intolerant, large-seeded, and animal-dispersed than decreasing species. Shifts towards less shade-tolerant species from edges to interiors were consistent with increases in canopy openness and were most pronounced where changes in light were greatest (i.e., thinned plantations on high-quality sites). Changes in hardwood seedling density and composition were likely driven by differences across species in dispersal traits, seed characteristics, and relative adaptation to interior conditions (likely hotter, drier, and nutrient poor). To promote commercially valuable hardwoods, increase mast for wildlife, or improve climatic resiliency, the most suitable targets for conversion to hardwoods may be plantations with significant interiors (i.e., area > 30-m from hardwood edges) on higher quality sites adjacent to desirable seed sources (e.g., Quercus rubra, Prunus serotina, Acer saccharum). More desirable hardwood regeneration may result from reevaluating thinning timings and intensities originally designed to maximize red pine production. Our results also indicate that intentional management of surrounding hardwood forest composition (i.e., seed sources), within plantation retention of hardwood islands (e.g., mature oak stems), and greater control of Acer rubrum competition may further increase the desirability of hardwood regeneration in red pine plantations.

Technical condition of houses: a framework for the Czech market

PurposeThis study aims to provide a framework for assessing the technical condition of a house to determine its market value, including the identification of other price-setting factors and their statistical significance. Time on market (TOM) in relation to the technical condition of a house is also addressed.Design/methodology/approachThe primary database contains 631 houses, and the initial asking price and selling price are examined. All the houses are located in the Brno–venkov district in the Czech Republic. Regression analysis was used to test the influence of price-setting factors. The standard ordinary least squares estimator and the maximum likelihood estimator were used in the frame of generalized linear models.FindingsUsing envelope components of houses separately, such as the façade condition, windows, roof, condition of interior and year of construction, brings better results than using a single factor for the technical condition. TOM was found to be 67 days lower for houses intended for demolition – as compared to new houses – and 18 days lower for houses to refurbishment.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is original in the substitution of specific price-setting factors for factors relating to the technical condition of houses as well as in proposing the framework for professionals in the Czech Republic.

A review of human thermal comfort model in predicting human-environment interaction in non-uniform environmental conditions.

This paper presented a review of the literature on the human thermal comfort model, which can be employed to predict the response of a human towards the environmental surroundings. An important premise of this paper is that governments in tropical regions have taken proactive action in minimizing energy consumption by air-conditioning through elevated room temperature. However, would such an action worsen the quality of interior conditions, particularly the thermal comfort? To answer this question, developing a human thermal comfort model under stratum ventilation mode can become a reference model for air-conditioning system design in all tropical buildings and indirectly reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that caused a warmer environment. For this purpose, there are two critical processes to identify the role of human thermal comfort, namely human reaction towards the thermal ambient (thermoregulation) and the heat transfer and air movement that occur in the enclosed space due to natural and forced convection.

Role of acidic fluids in Earth’s deep lithosphere: Insights from the Neoarchean magmatic roots of the Nilgiri Block, southern India

Fluids play a major role in facilitating igneous/metamorphic processes in the Earth’s crust and mantle. In this study, we investigate the nature and composition of fluids in Earth’s interior by studying the lower crustal rocks. We compare accessory minerals (e.g., apatite, monazite, allanite, and titanite), their texture, mineral reactions and composition among regionally distributed metamorphosed mafic and felsic rocks representing the roots of Neoarchean arc magmatism from the Nilgiri Block of the Southern Granulite Terrane in India. Regional trends in accessory minerals show the formation of monazite, allanite, and titanite in the felsic rocks. Apatite is depleted in REEs in all the rock types, irrespective of the difference in their whole-rock chemistry. Textural features and mineral reactions show that these accessory minerals were affected by fluids present in the lower crustal conditions. By comparing our results with those from previous experimental results, we further show that acidic CO2-H2O-HCl-HF fluids stable in lower crustal conditions could have resulted in these chemical and textural features. Dielectric constant of water is high (10–35 compared to lower crustal conditions) in high-pressure and low-temperature conditions of subduction zones and the upper mantle. Such conditions would enhance dissociation of HCl (compared to lower crust) and result in acidic fluids during dehydration reactions in subduction zones and in the upper mantle. Our results have important implications in understanding the nature and composition of fluids in Earth’s interior and would be helpful to model the tectonic and deep geochemical processes in both early and modern conditions in planetary interiors.

Fluctuations of magnetic inclination and declination in Mexico during the last three millennia

Revealing the evolution of the past geomagnetic field is of dual interest. It is crucial to estimate the conditions of the Earth's deep interiors, while it offers a reliable absolute dating tool of burned archaeological artifacts. Although a substantial effort was paid during the last decade to construct a reference archaeomagnetic curve for Mesoamerica, mostly absolute intensity variations are revealed for the previous three millennia. Here, we report an updated directional (inclination and declination) reference secular variation curve based on volcanic lava flows and archaeological artifacts carrying full thermoremanent magnetization. A bootstrap method with penalized cubic b-splines was used to develop the directional curve. Relocation error exercise and strict selection criteria allowed to use 82 well-defined palaeodirections. Both data distribution density and the firm relationship between the ages and samples, ensure the reliability of the curve for the dating purposes. The combination of directional data with available intensity variation highlights some sudden geomagnetic field fluctuations.