Energy Efficient Materials Research Articles

Deep learning for assessment of environmental satisfaction using BIM big data in energy efficient building digital twins

Energy efficient Building Digital Twins (BDTs) are researched using Building Information Model (BIM) to explore the key techniques of Digital Twins (DTs). DTs in buildings can be regarded as an expression of “BIM+,” born to digital descriptions. Comprehensive perception of physical systems is the preconditions for DTs implementation. BIM’s energy-saving design includes the selection of building orientation and building shape. BIM energy consumption analysis can compare different materials, examine the performance of various materials, and select the most suitable and most energy-efficient materials for building structure maintenance. Data Fusion Algorithm (DFA) in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is improved. A novel DFA is constructed by combining Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DCHP), recorded as BP-DCHP. Simulation experiment proves that BP-DCHP can prolong sensor nodes’ survival time and provide the highest data fusion quality. BP-DCHP runs for about 310 s, 500 s, and 705 s in WSNs consisting of 20, 50, and 100 WSNs, respectively. Moreover, BP-DCHP can provide higher quality given insufficient data fusion degree. Once the WSNs consume 50% of the total initial energy, BP-DCHP presents a shorter network delay, only 0.6 s on average in the 100-sensor-node-WSN. To validate BDTs’ effectiveness, the environmental satisfaction of residents from two Beijing intelligent communities is assessed using Deep Learning (DL) approach. Taking the data as the clue, the study establishes DTs serving the application of urban scene, which plays a certain role in promoting the technological innovation of BDTs, better optimizing the city and managing the city.

Evaluation of Non-Autoclaved Aerated Concrete for Energy Behaviors of a Residential House in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is commonly used as a modern, energy-efficient construction material in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan—the second-coldest national capital in the world after Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The autoclave curing method used to manufacture the AAC has potential risks and is environmentally costly because of its high-pressure and -temperature operation. Therefore, for phase I and II studies, non-autoclaved aerated concrete (NAAC) was cast, and its properties were evaluated in terms of compressive strength, density, porosity, and thermal conductivity. Moreover, the thermal conductivity prediction model of NAAC was successfully developed. In this Phase III study, the energy behavior of the NAAC was evaluated by energy simulation for a typical two-story residential house model in Kazakhstan. Different wall materials, such as fired brick and normal concrete, were adapted to compare the energy performance of NAAC. Finally, the annual heat loss and amount of heat transferred through the wall of the house were calculated to cross-check the energy-saving effect of NAAC. It was found that the NAAC conserved energy, because the heating and cooling loads, annual heat loss, and amount of heat transfer of NACC were lower than those of fired brick and normal concrete.

The Study of the Dependence of Optimal Structure of Composite Materials Containing Hollow Aluminosilicate Microspheres on Humidity

Background: Experimental data on the conditions for the formation of gravel materials containing hollow aluminosilicate microspheres with a possibility to receive optimum structure and properties depending on humidity with the use of various binders are presented in this article. This article focuses on the scientific study of the possibility to optimize the physical and mechanical properties of composite materials. Objective: The main goal of this research is an exploration of energy-efficient building materials to be used to replace natural materials with industrial wastes and development of the theory and practice of how to obtain light and ultra-light gravel materials based on mineral binders and waste dump ash and slag mixtures of hydraulic removal. The objective of this research is to study the composite material containing hollow aluminosilicate microspheres. Method: The study is based on the application of the separation method for power and heat engineering functions. The method is based on the use of the structure optimality factor that takes the primary and secondary stress fields of the structural gravel material into account. It shows the possibility to obtain gravel material with the most uniform distribution of nano - and microparticles in the gravel material and to form stable matrices with minimization of stress concentrations. Experiments show that the thickness of the cement shell that performs power functions is directly related to the size of the raw granules. At the same time, the cement crust thickness regardless of the binder type has a higher formation rate for larger diameter granules when the moisture content increases. Results: The conditions of formation for gravel composite materials containing hollow aluminosilicate microspheres were studied. The optimal structure and properties of the gravel composite material were obtained. The dependence of the strength function on humidity and the binder type was investigated. The optimal size and shape of gravel material containing aluminosilicate hollow microspheres with a minimum thickness of a cement shell and a maximum strength function were obtained. Conclusion.: The obtained structure enables us to separate power and heat engineering functions in the material and to minimize the content of the aggressive environment centers.

Analysis and Optimization of Hybrid Soil Properties for Gel Based Roof Tiles

Our current 21st century has seen more drastic changes in terms of environmental conditions due to global warming, climate change and deforestation. This has shown a great rise in the global temperature throughout the world. Normally, the roof top of a building is provided with tiles to protect the structural components and to create a comfortable environment. The tiles can be made of materials like clay, concrete, fly ash, lime etc. Due to the prevailing environmental challenges, there is a need for the tiles to be made as with more energy efficient material that supports thermal insulation and cost effectiveness. Aerogel and hydrogel are the gel based product that are used in our current work to enhance the thermal insulation property of the tiles. Various tests such as water absorption test, wet and dry cycle test, bending strength test, thermal conductivity test, wear and tear test are carried out on the tile to quantify its characteristics. All the above shows better value than the normal commercial tile product.

Pursuing a net-zero carbon future for all: Challenges for commercial real estate

Pursuing a net-zero carbon future for all: Challenges for commercial real estate

Experimental research on vibration and noise of rail conveyor

Rail Conveyor is a highly energy-efficient and cost-effective bulk material transportation system, which merges the benefits of both belt conveyor technology and railway. Reducing vibration and noise is a key problem in the design of rail conveyor system, which has great social and economic significance for the realization of green environmental protection and sustainable development of bulk materials transportation. This article describes the field experimental test of vibration and noise. The vibration acceleration of rail conveyor was tested under different belt speed and different carriage spacing and different wheel materials of support carriage, and the noise of rail conveyor was tested under different belt speed and different test distance. Experimental results and analysis show that: With the increase of belt speed, the vibration and noise of wheel and rail of rail conveyor increase greatly, and the wheel rail vibration and noise decrease with the increase of the distance between the support carriages, and the wheel material has a great influence on the vibration.

Innovative Technologies for the Production of Ceramic Building Materials from Waste of Natural (Exogenous) Processes

The main material for the modern construction business is cement/concrete, the production of which is associated with high energy and material costs and, most importantly, high CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Based on this, the development of technologies for new energy-efficient building materials - substitutes for Portland cement is of great importance. One of the ways to solve this problem could be the wider use of ceramic building materials, the production of which requires less energy and is not associated with high CO2 emissions compared to the production of Portland cement. The subject of this article is the development of innovative technologies for the production of ceramic building materials in Georgia (ordinary building bricks and clinker bricks) by using unconventional raw material - clay shale aluvium which is a waste of natural (exogenous) processes. As the main component of the ceramic mass, we used clay shale aluvium from the Duruji river bed near the town of Kvareli, which made it possible to reduce the firing temperature and improve the quality of the finished product. X-ray phase, petrographic and electronic microscopic studies have shown that ceramic products, both building and clinker bricks, made with the use of Kvareli shale, under the same firing conditions, have been obtained with a denser structure ensuring higher physical and mechanical features as compared to clay Metekhi, which is currently used by the brick factory in Georgia. The use of shale accumulated in the region of Kvareli in various areas of the economy (including production of ceramic building materials) will make it possible to clear the adjacent territory from risky deposits of natural alluvium, which threatens to flood the city and provide companies engaged in production of ceramic building materials with low-cost and environmentally friendly raw materials.

3D printed polymeric formwork for lattice cementitious composites

How to design energy-efficient building materials, theoretically requiring a balance of mechanical properties and thermal conductivity , remains a crucial challenge in construction & building fields. Recently there is an increased interest in using 3D concrete printing technology to automatically manufacture complicated and customized constructions. Nevertheless, majority of printed constructions are still solid and have a low quality in the interface performance. Inspired by the lightweight lattice architecture, 3D core-framework lattice cementitious composites (CS-LCCs) is proposed in this work, which consists of printed polymeric framework and cement mortar . Results show that although the average compressive strength of CS-LCCs is lower than that of the cubic sample fabricated using the cement mortar (40 × 40 × 40 mm 3 ), the specific strength of CS-LCCs approaches that of cubic one. The ductility of CS-LCCs is obviously improved due to the effect of polymeric framework. According to the test and finite element analysis , a hinging and stretching couple deformation mechanism is used to elaborate the deformation mechanism of CS-LCCs. Additionally, the CS-LCCs also exhibit low thermal conductivities at various temperatures owing to the ordered porous characteristic of lattice. ● A core/shell lattice-inspired cementitious composites is proposed. ● High specific strength and ductility are obtained owing to the effect of polymeric shell. ● Multi-crack propagation mode and deformation mechanism are elaborately discussed. ● Low thermal conductivity is achieved compared to that of the counterpart solid materials.

Optimization of manufacturing processes using ML-assisted hybrid technique

The use of smart hybrid and data-driven techniques in modern manufacturing processes are one of the new trends in design and optimization of production chains. This paper will briefly present a fresh approach towards optimization of parameters for material processes within production chains. The role of hybrid physical-data driven techniques using Machine-Learning (ML) technologies and their integration into the detailed analytical and numerical modellings are elaborated. As a case study, application of the hybrid technique for an industrial casting process are tersely presented herein where cooling process parameters are optimized for better and more energy efficient material processes.

Foam Polymers in Multifunctional Insulating Coatings.

The application of foamed polymers as one of the components of insulating coatings allows to solve the problems of energy saving and creation of optimal operating conditions for constructions. The systems of application of energy-efficient heat-insulating materials must consider both the particularities of the insulating materials and the functional orientation of the constructions. The implementation of the concept of seamless insulating coatings implies the achievement of thermal effect and reduction in air permeability both by means of the application of thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity and the minimization of junctions between separate elements of the insulating coating, which is achieved using elastic foamed polymers and, first of all, polyethylene foam. Construction of seamless insulating coatings creates practically impermeable heat, vapor, and water barriers along the outer perimeter of the insulated object. Multilayer products based on polyethylene foam represent a relatively new material—a fact that requires examination of their properties, as well as under various operating conditions, and development of a methodology for evaluation of the operational resistance of these materials in structures of different purposes, including cold conservation. The performed tests have shown that the compressive strength at 10% deformation is determined by the function of load application area and varies from 70 kPa during the test of cube samples of 10 × 10 × 10 in size to 260 kPa for areas exceeding 100 m2. The longitudinal tensile strength amounts to 80–92 kPa, and the strength of the weld seam is equal to 29–32 kPa. It has been established that the values of thermal conductivity of polyethylene foam with an average density of 18–20 kg/m3 amounts to 0.032–0.034 W/(m·K), diffusion moisture absorption is equal to 0.44 kg/m2 without a metallized coating and 0.37 kg/m2 with a metallized coating; water absorption after partial immersion in water for 24 h amounts to 0.013 kg/m2; water absorption by volume after complete water immersion for 28 days is equal to 0.96%. The material does not practically change its properties under conditions of long-term temperature alteration from −60 to +70 °C. The developed and implemented insulation systems for protective surfaces of framed construction objects, rubbhalls and frameless structures, floating floors, indoor ice rinks, and snow conservation systems are presented.

A Brief Review of Transparent Wood: Synthetic Strategy, Functionalization and Applications.

Severe pressure from energy consumption and serious pollution from non-renewable resources have urged human beings to develop green and energy-efficient materials. Transparent wood, consisting of original wood channel structure filled with resins, has favorable environmental friendliness and high transparency and haze, which holds huge potential in various important fields. Herein, a brief review of the current research activities centered on the development of transparent wood is provided. This review begins with an introduction to the background of transparent wood. Next, the cellular wall structure of wood and the synthetic strategy of transparent wood (including decolorization and impregnation) are summarized. Furthermore, the functionalization of transparent wood through doping nanomaterials or modifying resins is highlighted, and the relationship between the physicochemical properties and the potential uses (like optoelectronics, building materials, and furniture decoration) of transparent wood is clarified. Finally, a brief overview of the prospects and challenges for transparent wood is provided.

Polymer and non-polymer admixtures for concrete roofs: Thermal and mechanical properties, energy saving and carbon emission mitigation prospective

Buildings are accountable for the enormous energy consumption in the world. Therefore, energy-efficient building materials are inevitable in modern construction practices to diminish global energy consumption. In this paper, three industrial wastes (fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, and silica fume), four other admixtures (bentonite, metakaolin, oyster shell, and zeolite), and two polymer admixtures (Styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-acrylic ester) are considered for the concrete to explore their potential for air conditioning cost-savings, carbon mitigations, and payback periods in buildings of hot-dry (Jodhpur, India) and cold climates (Thessaloniki, Greece). The mechanical and thermophysical properties were measured for admixture-based concretes. The results revealed that among all admixtures studied, styrene-acrylic ester concrete roof exhibited better thermal performance with adequate compressive strength (34 MPa). The best economic benefit of styrene acrylic ester concrete roof in hot-dry/cold climatic conditions leading to the highest total air conditioning cost-savings (1.01 $/m2/1.53 $/m2), highest life cycle saving costs (48.9/31.2 $/m2), highest carbon mitigation (19.26/7.53 kg of CO2/year), and acceptable payback periods (11.6/8.4 years). The results of this research help engineers and architects to select the best admixtures for the concrete in terms of mechanical strength, energy efficiency, and carbon emission mitigation potential.

Energy Efficiency Measures Applied to Heritage Retrofit Buildings: A Simulated Student Housing Case Study in Vienna

One pavilion was selected for deep retrofitting from the Otto Wagner area situated in the west of Vienna. The retrofitting process involves sustainable and energy-efficient construction to improve the energy performance and energy production potential of the building while preserving the cultural heritage and significance. This four-story pavilion was re-designed according to the proposed regulations of a net positive energy university building to become a student residence. Architectural, building envelope, and engineering interventions along with various changes were simulated through the Sefaira tool in the SketchUp model. These included: optimization of the U-values of the roof, walls, and floor; the addition of different layers of sustainable energy-efficient insulation materials to decrease the overall energy demand. The specific energy demands for heating, cooling, and lighting were decreased in the proposed model to reduce the total energy use intensity from 248.9 kWh/(m2 year) to 54.3 kWh/(m2 year) resulting in a 78.2% reduction. The main goal of this study is to try and achieve a net positive energy status building as part of the Otto Wagner area by improving the building envelope and integrating renewable energies. A total of 22.5% of the annual energy consumption was generated by the designed PV system. The selected building achieved the passive house standards in Austria by optimizing the energy performance with the proposed energy efficiency measures.

Sustainable and Inexpensive Polydimethylsiloxane Sponges for Daytime Radiative Cooling.

Radiative cooling is an emerging cooling technology that can passively release heat to the environment. To obtain a subambient cooling effect during the daytime, chemically engineered structural materials are widely explored to simultaneously reject sunlight and preserve strong thermal emission. However, many previously reported fabrication processes involve hazardous chemicals, which can hinder a material's ability to be mass produced. In order to eliminate the hazardous chemicals used in the fabrication of previous works, this article reports a white polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge fabricated by a sustainable process using microsugar templates. By substituting the chemicals for sugar, the manufacturing procedure produces zero toxic waste and can also be endlessly recycled via methods widely used in the sugar industry. The obtained porous PDMS exhibits strong visible scattering and thermal emission, resulting in an efficient temperature reduction of 4.6 °C and cooling power of 43 W m−2 under direct solar irradiation. In addition, due to the air‐filled voids within the PDMS sponge, its thermal conductivity remains low at 0.06 W (m K)−1. This unique combination of radiative cooling and thermal insulation properties can efficiently suppress the heat exchange with the solar‐heated rooftop or the environment, representing a promising future for new energy‐efficient building envelope material.

The knock-on effects of green buildings: high-rise construction design implications

PurposeThe aims and objectives of this research are to establish whether or not the transition into green building in high-rise construction is practical. This is after considering several perspectives including financial, economic, environmental, and social. This subsequently leads to an evaluation on whether or not the continuation with a standard conventional build of high-rise buildings remains to be the most feasible option. Such objectives, therefore, aim to allow for validation of how and why high-rise construction designs are impacted through green buildings effects.Design/methodology/approachThrough six defined steps, the methodology commences with an introductory section of what it means to build green. This section is further broken down to evaluate what factors are involved in constructing a green building. Furthermore, the life cycle energy (LCE) is used as a framework to evaluate the knock-on effects of green buildings and subsequent high-rise construction design implications.FindingsThrough defining the ongoing relationship of green materials and sustainable design, various implications for high-rise constructions were discovered. First and foremost, it was determined that the LCE is the central consideration for any high-rise building design. In evaluating the LCE, and overall operating energy of the 50-year cycle of a building was carried out. As the results showed, the operating energy represents around 85% of the total energy that is consumed at the end of the 50 years cycle of the building. Precise LCE calculation can lead to a more efficient design for high-rise buildings. As a result, an increased understanding of the current status of green buildings within the construction industry is paramount. This understanding leads to a better insight into the contributing factors to green building in high-rise construction and the construction industry in general.Originality/valueThe potential contribution that can be gained from this research is the awareness that is raised in the research and development of green buildings in high-rise construction. This can be achieved by using certain materials such as new energy-efficient building materials, recycled materials and so on. This research will contribute to defining a new way of sustainable buildings, particularly for high-rise construction. The outcome of the research will be beneficial for practitioners such as design engineers and other related professions.

Valorisation of stranded Laminaria digitata seaweed as an insulating earth material

In Normandy, the marine macroalgae become a large problem when the retreat of the tide leaves large quantities of stranded seaweed on coast. These stranded seaweeds can be toxic during their degradation in addition to creating odor problems. Consequently, their elimination has become a major problem and their recovery an emergency. In this work, we proposed to use the stranded seaweed in the building construction at a large scale. We investigated in particular the performance of insulated walls based on lightened earth incorporating reed and stranded Laminaria digitata seaweed at different substitution level. The compressive strength and the hygrothermal properties of the earth insulated walls specimens were carried out. Our results show that the incorporation of seaweed in lightened earth improves both its heat storage capacity and its level of insulation without compromising its compressive strength. The most efficient seaweed content for improving the thermal insulation of the material seems to be 20%. Indeed, the addition of 20% of Laminaria digitata decreased the thermal conductivity by 34% at 20 °C in comparison with standard cob. For this mixture, the specific heat capacity value is around 800 J.kg−1.K−1 at 20 °C, which are very high compared to that of the only earth-fiber specimen (400 J.kg−1.K−1). These increases in mechanical and hygrothermal performance of insulating cob material incorporating seaweed will lead to a reduction of the cob walls thickness and therefore to the development of sustainable energy efficient building materials with a low environmental impact.

Wear Behavior of Aluminum-TiB2 Metal Matrix Composites using Taguchi Method.

In the present day engineering design and growth activities many Engineers and Scientists are striving hard to develop novel and better engineering materials, which accomplishes high strength, light weight and energy efficient materials since the problems of environment and energy are major threshold areas. In this paper attempts are made to study the abrasive wear loss and coefficient of friction of the Al 6061 reinforced with varying weight percentage of TiB2 composites by in situ process was investigated. The wear test was conducted using pin-on-disc wear testing apparatus (POD) as per the design of experiments (DOE).Taguchi Technique, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Regression Analysis were adopted to optimize the wear loss. Further, Scanning Electron Microscopy images of worn out surface are carried to study the wear behaviour. Wear loss and Co-efficient of friction decreases with increase in the wt. % of TiB2 particles and noticed form the ANOVA and regression analyses that reinforcement plays a crucial role in the development of Al 6061-TiB2 composite system.

Performance of Pellucid Concrete by using Optical Fibers

Energy efficient building and aesthetic view are the vital knot for infrastructure. Now engineers have developed smart translucent concrete(STC) using glass optical fibers (GOF). It can able to transmit light from one phase to the other phase of the wall. Smart translucent concrete is also known as pellucid concrete. Pellucid concrete reduces the consumption of electricity. Source of light can be taken from natural sunlight and artificial light source from LED having 20w. In this investigation, incorporating optical fibers in various diameters are 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. Concrete cube with provision of hole for providing glass optical fiber and arranged in equal spacing of about 15 mm and 25 mm. In this experiment, analysis the performance of smart translucent concrete in the aspect of strength and luminance. The light intensity from the specimen can be measured with a help of photometer. It is an energy efficient building material innovated in recent years.

Refurbishment concepts for a student housing at the Otto Wagner Areal in Vienna under the aspects of sustainability, energy efficiency and heritage protection

For the Otto Wagner area which is situated in the west of Vienna, one pavilion is selected to be refurbished for sustainable and energy-efficient construction to simulate the thermal and energy performance of the building. The selected pavilion has been redesigned to be used as a student residence while preserving the cultural heritage. A dynamic building simulation model is used to improve the energy efficiency and livelihood of Otto Wagner area with the main focus on heritage conservation. The pavilion of four levels is re-designed according to the proposed regulations of plus energy university building to become a student residence. The energy demand can be decreased while preserving the buildings’ heritage requirements. Various changes are made through Sefaira tool in SketchUp model: optimization of the U-values of roof, walls and floor, addition of different layers of sustainable energy efficient insulation materials to decrease the overall energy demand, vacuum insulated panels and rigid cellulose board used to maintain existing roofline and calcium silicate boards to allow for vapor permeability in the brick walls, all working towards achieving the standards of zero energy buildings in Austria. The specific energy demands for heating, cooling and lighting are decreased in the proposed model to reduce the overall energy demand. The main goal of this study is achieving a plus energy district for the entire Otto Wagner area by improving the building envelope and integrating renewable energies using Polysun simulation tool. The selected building achieved the standards of zero energy buildings in Austria by optimizing the energy performance and to assess the thermal comfort in the building, both natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation are used to reduce the summer loads.

Combined effect of high temperatures and crystalline slag on the mechanical behavior of geopolymers mortars

As part of protecting the environment from carbon dioxide emissions, all research aims to reduce the use of cement in concrete with cheaper and energy efficient materials. Geopolymer mortar is an environmentally friendly mortar made from industrial solid waste and by-products such as crystalline slag (CS). This research aims to produce a geopolymer mortar from local materials available in Algeria which are not sufficiently valued at present. The aim of this study is to provide geopolymer mortar at high temperatures, operating with a constant hardening temperature of around 60° C. The alkaline activator used in this study was a combination of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and 10 M NaOH solution. In addition, crystalline geopolymer mortars (MCS) as the binder material at a curing temperature of 60 °C, ratios of two mixtures of binder were prepared by substituting the sand with 40% CS and 100% CS. For this purpose, the mortar sample with the highest compressive strength was subjected to temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C for exposure times of 10 °C per minute and changes in temperature and changes in the physical and mechanical properties was analyzed. As a result of the experiments, the highest mechanicals values were obtained from the mortar samples with a 40% CS content. Following the high temperature tests, 400 °C and 600 °C were determined as critical temperatures for changes in mechanical properties and changes in physical properties, respectively. However, the geopolymer mortars lost around 60% of strength at 800 °C which is the final temperature.