Prototype Building Research Articles

Simulating the Thermal Behavior of Compressed Earth Brick Walls

The production of conventional bricks has negative impact on the environment due to CO2 emissions. Therefore, the use of alkali-activated by-product materials as partial or full replacement of cement has been promising in producing eco-friendly compressed earth bricks for sustainable construction. This research aims to simulate the thermal behavior of an office building prototype composed of eco-friendly compressed earth brick (CEB) walls using Design Builder software to investigate the impact of CEB walls on the indoor thermal comfort, total energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition to investigate the influence of the type and thicknesses of walls, and thickness of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulating layer on the total energy consumption and (CO2) emissions. The results indicated that using walls of compressed earth bricks (CEB) made by alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as soil stabilizer with full replacement of cement is promising for reducing the total energy consumption and CO2 emissions with competitive compressive strength to those stabilized by cement. The results also revealed the noticeable effect of the type and thicknesses of walls in addition to the thickness of EPS insulating layer in reducing the total energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This reduction reached about 21–25% for different wall types of thickness 120 mm when EPS thicknesses increased up to 50 mm compared to the same walls without EPS.

Block Chain Technology-Based Crypto-Go-Charity for Scholarship Donation Tracking Platform

In the philanthropy sector, new technology is required to address issues like lack of transparency, trust, and accountability, as well as extended processing times and expenses. So, the present research examines the application of blockchain (BC) technology to enhance the donation tracking Platform, which delivers data immutability, and transaction transparency, as well as peer-to-peer transactions, as well as it is all the rage in today's technological period. BC enables the tracking of every donation, by permitting the donors to track the usage of their funds. The three primary roles of the present research are nongovernmental organization, Donors, as well as scholar beneficiaries. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds of industries are considered as donations, which causes educational scholarship for the initial prototype building. Subsequently, this prototype is scalable to every feasible field of educational scholarship as well as other methods of philanthropy. Thus, a Crypto-Go-Charity is proposed to solve the problems of the supply chain by utilizing the Ethereum BC and delivering a more secure and immutable ecosystem for scholarships. Solidity language is utilized here to write smart contracts and InterPlanetary File System for document storage. The performance is demonstrated by calculating the evaluation metrics as the privacy ratio and computational time for 200 users with the number of verifications at 300, as well as a key size of 50 kb, is 97.52% and 89.28 s, respectively. Likewise, the detection rate and memory usage of the system acquired the value of 98% and 81.46 MB for 200 users with the number of verifications at 300 as well as a key size of 50 kb.

Feasibility Study of Signal Processing Techniques for Vibration-Based Structural Health Monitoring in Residential Buildings.

The growing vulnerability of residential buildings to seismic activity and dynamic loading underscores the need for robust, real-time Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing piezoelectric sensors integrated with advanced signal processing techniques, including Power Spectral Density (PSD) and Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), for vibration-based SHM in residential structures. A scaled three-story building prototype was fabricated and subjected to controlled base excitations at 25 Hz and 0.6 g acceleration to evaluate the response under three structural conditions: healthy, randomly damaged, and thickness-damaged. The experimental results revealed that structural degradation significantly altered sensor outputs, with random damage causing irregular signal dispersion and thickness damage introducing additional frequency harmonics. PSD analysis effectively identified shifts in energy distribution, signifying structural degradation, while STFT provided a detailed time-frequency representation, facilitating real-time damage detection. The findings confirm that piezoelectric sensors, when combined with PSD and STFT, can serve as a low-cost, scalable solution for early damage detection in residential buildings, offering a practical framework for enhancing structural resilience against earthquakes and other dynamic forces.

Demand Flexibility of Pre-Cooling Strategies for City-Scale Buildings Through Urban Building Energy Modeling

With the increasing demand for electricity, it is causing a growing burden on the power grid. In order to alleviate the pressure on the power system, a series of demand response (DR) strategies have emerged. This paper studied the DR potential and energy flexibility on city-scale building clusters under pre-cooling combined with temperature reset. This study firstly selected 18 types of buildings, each containing three construction years as prototype buildings, to represent the 228,539 buildings in Shenzhen. Then several pre-cooling strategies were developed, and after comparative analysis, the optimal strategy was obtained and applied to the entire Shenzhen building cluster, with simulation and analysis conducted for the nine administrative districts. Among them, this paper used AutoBPS-DR and added pre-cooling code based on the Ruby language to automatically generate building models with DR strategies and finally simulated the energy consumption results by EnergyPlus. The results showed that a pre-cooling duration of 0.5 h and a change of 2 °C in both pre-cooling temperature and reset temperature was the optimal strategy. Under this strategy, small and medium prototype buildings can achieve better results, with a maximum load reduction of 23.89 W/m2 and a reduction rate of 56.82%. In the simulation results of the building cluster, Guangming District showed the best results. Finally, the peak electricity reduction amount and reduction rate of the entire building cluster were calculated to be 0.007 kWh/m2 and 21.87%, respectively, with the maximum cost saving and saving percentage of 0.081 CNY/m2 and 15.05%, respectively. From this, it can be seen that the Shenzhen building cluster had shown considerable DR potential under the pre-cooling strategy.

Molecular structures with spectroscopic accuracy at DFT cost by the templating synthon approach and the PCS141 database.

The computation of accurate geometric parameters at density functional theory cost for large molecules in the gas phase is addressed through a novel strategy that combines quantum chemical models with machine learning techniques. The first key step is the expansion of a database of accurate semi-experimental equilibrium structures with additional molecular geometries optimized by version 2 of the Pisa composite scheme. Then, the templating synthon approach is used to improve the accuracy of structures optimized by a hybrid density functional paired with a double zeta basis set, leveraging chemical similarity to cluster different molecular environments and refine bond lengths and valence angles. A set of prototypical biomolecular building blocks is used to demonstrate that it is possible to achieve spectroscopic accuracy for molecular systems too large to be treated by state-of-the-art composite wavefunction methods. In addition, a freely accessible web-based tool has been developed to facilitate the post-processing of geometries optimized using standard electronic structure codes, thereby providing an accurate and efficient tool for the computational study of medium- to large-sized molecules, also accessible to experiment-oriented researchers.

Shake Table Testing Methodology for Multistory Floor Acceleration Simulation Using a Single‐Story Test Specimen

ABSTRACTThis study integrates analytical and experimental research to develop an innovative shake table testing method called Floor Acceleration Simulation Test (FAST). The primary objective of FAST is to produce an essentially elastic response of a single‐story test specimen to replicate the floor acceleration time history including higher‐mode effects of a target floor in a multistory building experiencing inelastic behavior during an earthquake. The FAST method is well suited for experimental research where the absolute accelerations and the associated inertial forces of the floor diaphragms cannot be simulated by the majority of the conventional test methods. The proposed methodology is based on a transfer function in the frequency domain to compute the required input motion for testing. Considering the physical constraints of a given shake table test facility, guidelines with two response spectra to bracket the natural frequency of the test building are also presented for practical implementation. Experimental validation was carried out on a half‐scale, single‐story steel building featuring a composite floor slab, utilizing the NHERI@UCSD Large High‐Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST) facility. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of FAST, as both analytical predictions and experimental outcomes confirm its validity. Despite instances of measured floor acceleration amplitude exceeding the target response due to table input motion overshooting in this test program, test results confirmed that the FAST accurately reproduced the intended frequency content, indicative of higher mode effects in the multistory prototype building, in the single‐story test building.

Passive vibration control applied to a building prototype incorporating a friction damping device

Passive vibration control applied to a building prototype incorporating a friction damping device

Seismic design and performance evaluation of post-tensioned CLT shear walls with coupling U-shaped flexural plates in Canada

Seismic design and performance evaluation of post-tensioned CLT shear walls with coupling U-shaped flexural plates in Canada

Multi-dimensional performance-based intelligent optimization of atrium building prototype with informed approach

In the initial design phase, decisions about building programs significantly influence the energy, physical, and space performance of a building. However, as the design process advanced, the potential to optimize building physical properties, space, and related performance gradually diminished, and the costs to achieve the same benefits were progressively increased. In this study, an enclosed atrium-style office space was chosen as a case study, and an intelligent optimization method for the atrium prototype space was proposed. This method, which integrated multi-dimensional performance data such as light environment, thermal environment, energy consumption, space, and cost, was used to investigate morphological optimization strategies for the atrium prototype space under the influence of multiple environmental factors during the architectural design phase. Furthermore, the ranges for optimal solutions when pursuing different design objectives were analyzed, series of global optimal solutions were identified, and the optimization process was accelerated using machine learning technology. Ultimately, architects were provided with prototype forms of the atrium space in an "Informed" manner, which expedited the architectural design process. The case study is based on a light industrial building at Hubei University of Technology, which was evaluated through 377 building form prototypes generated by this "Informed" design platform. Compared to the existing building, the optimized building form showed significant improvements in cost, lighting, energy consumption, spatial performance, and sunlight and solar radiation quality, with an overall assessment score of 15.15 to 73.35, a performance improvement of 380%. The effectiveness of the method in improving building performance and accelerating the design decision-making process is demonstrated, providing an innovative optimization tool for the field of building design.

Performance-Based Seismic Assessment of School Building Using Fragility Curve and Capacity-Demand Response Spectrum

Abstract This study assesses the seismic vulnerability of a two-storey reinforced concrete school building prototype located in Selangor, Malaysia through a Performance-Based Seismic Assessment. The beam-column joints of the school building were designed using Eurocode 8 and equipped with fuse bars. The fuse bars act as passive energy dissipators to enhance the energy dissipation capacity of the beam-column joints. Three super-assemblages, corner beam-column joint, interior beam-column joint, and exterior beam-column joint, were tested under in-plane lateral cyclic loading. The damage states of the beam-column joints were classified based on the ductility ratios of the beam-column joints. Subsequently, fragility curves and capacity demand response spectra for the beam-column joints were plotted to assess the seismic vulnerability and deformation capacity under Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) conditions. The findings indicate that the corner, interior and exterior beam-column joint experienced extensive damage when it reached ductility 1.56, 2.70 and 1.74 respectively. Moreover, the results show that the designed prototype building can withstand DBE and MCE conditions for Type 1 and Type 2 earthquakes, with a maximum Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) of 0.718g.

Innovative earthquake resistant school building typologies for earthquake-hit areas of Nepal

Innovative earthquake resistant school building typologies for earthquake-hit areas of Nepal

Hysteretic tuned mass damper with bumpers for seismic protection: Modeling, identification, and shaking table tests

Hysteretic tuned mass damper with bumpers for seismic protection: Modeling, identification, and shaking table tests

The impact of urban morphology on energy demand of a residential building in a Mediterranean climate

The impact of urban morphology on energy demand of a residential building in a Mediterranean climate

Optimizing support vector regression using grey wolf optimizer for enhancing energy efficiency and building prototype architecture

Optimizing support vector regression using grey wolf optimizer for enhancing energy efficiency and building prototype architecture

Hybrid building energy modeling method with parameterized prototype models and rapid calibration

Hybrid building energy modeling method with parameterized prototype models and rapid calibration

Semi-active vibration control via a magnetorheological damper and active disturbance rejection control

This work provides an alternative for the semi-active vibration control problem via state feedback plus an active disturbance rejection control (K-ADRC) for a multistory building structure equipped with one magnetorheological damper (MRD) located between the ground and the first story. This control law introduces a disturbance observer (DOB) to estimate the total disturbance in real time, produced by the earthquake perturbation, unmodeled dynamics, and parametric uncertainties, and then cancel their effect using a part of the control signal. Moreover, using a diffeomorphism, the K-ADRC provides a proportional derivative (PD) controller designed to improve internal stability. A prominent feature of the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) algorithm is that the value of the DOB gain is selected according to the system bandwidth. The stability of the system is verified via Lyapunov analysis. Moreover, the building structure model and the MRD are accomplished by incorporating a nonlinearity state that represents the hysteresis effect to perform real behavior in addition to assuming that acceleration is the only available measurement of building structures. Thus, integral filters are provided based on the appropriate cut-off frequency to estimate displacement and velocity, avoiding bias, offset, and phase shifts. Experimental results from a reduced-scale two-story building prototype demonstrate that the proposed K-ADRC is promising for real applications, and it has better performance than the state feedback (K) and the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control techniques.

Design and analysis of a thick-panel origami-inspired soft crawling robot with multiple locomotion patterns

Abstract Due to the flexibility obtained through both materials and structures, soft robots have wide potential applications in complicated internal and external environments. This paper presents a new soft crawling robot with multiple locomotion patterns that integrate inchworm motion and various turning motions. First, the conceptual design of the proposed robot is presented by introducing thick-panel origami into the synthesis of a crawling robot, resulting in a Waterbomb-structure-inspired hybrid mechanism. Second, all locomotion patterns of the robot are precisely described and analyzed by screw theory in an algebraic manner, which include inchworm motion, restricted planar motion, quantitative turning motion, and marginal exploration motion. Then, the output motion parameter for each locomotion pattern is analytically modeled as a function of the robotic dimensional parameters, and the robot can thus be designed and controlled in a customized way for the expected output motion. Finally, the theoretical analysis and derivations are validated by simulation and physical prototype building, which lay the foundations for the design and manufacture of small-scale soft crawling robots with precise output motions in a complex planar environment.

Seismic performance assessment and fragility analysis of concrete structures equipped with self-centered hybrid wall systems

ABSTRACT In this study, comprehensive analytical and parametric studies were conducted on seismic performance, collapse and fragility curves of concrete structures equipped with self-centered unbonded post-tensioned hybrid wall system in comparison with conventional structural wall system. For this purpose, analytical models of prototype buildings were developed and to further study the behaviour of hybrid wall, parametric analysis was performed considering four parameters: wall aspect ratio, initial stress of post-tensioned tendons, the total area of PT tendons, the total area of mild bars. The performance of buildings was evaluated under non-linear quasi cyclic and time history method considering two seismic hazard levels, the design-based earthquake level and the risk-targeted maximum credible earthquake level. Hysteresis response, energy dissipation ability and damping ratio, relative self-centering efficiency, residual drift, peak roof drift, column curvature ductility, incremental dynamic analysis data, seismic collapse assessment and fragility curves for collapse and repairable limit states were studied.

The role of passive, active, and operational parameters in the relationship between urban heat island effect (UHI) and building energy consumption

The role of passive, active, and operational parameters in the relationship between urban heat island effect (UHI) and building energy consumption

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

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