Residential Apartment Buildings Research Articles

Eco-Flow: Water Management System Using UV Sterilization

Abstract: In our contemporary world, the accessibility of clean and potable water is a pervasive issue, particularly in residential complexes and apartment buildings where shared waterstorage facilities pose a significant challenge. The lack of awareness and diligence in maintaining these communal tanks exposes residents to waterborne diseases. The current hurdle in water monitoring and filtering systems is the creation of a cost- effective, scalable solution that can be easily implemented across diverse environments. This project introduces EcoFlow, an innovative and budget- friendly solution for water level monitoring and purification. The system utilizes UV lights and activated carbon to efficiently filter water, eliminating harmful microorganisms and removing impurities, chemicals, and odors. By addressing the unique challenges of different regions, EcoFlow aims to contribute to the broader adoption of UV and activated carbon-based water treatment systems. Beyond its filtration capabilities, EcoFlow incorporates a real-time water level monitoring system, empowering users with vital information for sustainable and equitable access to clean water

Modernization of Buildings of the First Mass Series

The research is devoted to the modernization of residential apartment buildings of the first mass series. The volumes of housing built in Soviet times are given. It is shown that with the saturation of the construction market in the construction industry, the emphasis should gradually shift from new construction towards the reconstruction of existing housing. To this end, a comprehensive program for the modernization of residential areas built up with buildings of the first mass series should be developed today. An example of the implementation of a detailed program abroad and a few experiences of modernization of panel buildings in Russia are shown. Specific measures that can be implemented within the framework of such a program are given. These include: the unification of neighboring apartments in order to increase the area and improve the functionality of the premises; the superstructure of additional floors; the addition of additional loggias, balconies and terraces to existing buildings; the reconstruction of the building in order to change its spatial planning solution; changing the architectural appearance of the building by decorating the facades with a simultaneous increase in the comfort level of the premises, increasing the sound, fire and thermal insulation functions of the building. The paper also describes the risks of implementing such projects and shows the sources of their financing.

Multi-objective optimization for visual, thermal, and cooling energy performance of building envelope design in the composite climate of Jaipur (India)

Climate-responsive passive envelope features such as windows, louvers, and shading have significant impact on a building's energy and economic performance. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization (MOO) approach to enhance energy, visual and thermal performances of a building by considering a wide range of numerous design possibilities. A residential apartment building located in a semi-arid composite climate (Köppen climate classification: Bsh) of Jaipur, India is considered for the analysis. The multi-objective optimization approach involves three steps: firstly, developing a base simulation model using Rhinoceros software, and then performing multi-objective optimization by Octopus plugin, and finally applying multi-criteria decision-making to select the optimal values of thermal conductivity, window-to-wall ratio of south and west façades, solar heat gain coefficient, visual light transmittance, window sill height, louvers depth, distance between slits, slits angle, external shade depth, and shade (slits) count. The optimized results reported a six-fold Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) improvement, 72% cooling energy demand reduction, and 34% thermal comfort enhancement from the worst-case scenario. The presented approach can aid designers in selecting optimal envelope features during building design, refurbishment, and renovation or for green field development.

Enhancing BIM-BEM integration: solutions for efficient data exchange and energy performance assessment

ABSTRACT This paper explores the efficiency of exporting data from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to Building Energy Modeling (BEM) and proposes solutions to encountered problems. The study considers both detached and attached buildings, analyzing the impacts of resolution parameters, and evaluating energy performance based on BIM model. A case-study approach is employed using a residential apartment building, with data exported from Autodesk Revit and imported into DesignBuilder. The results demonstrate the significance of adjusting resolution parameters (the primary parameters that influence the energy analytical model's accuracy and processing time) for efficient data export. Exploring different values leads to improvements in resolving unclosed spaces and enhancing the geometrical model of building elements. Challenges persist in allocating material finishes to walls. By improving and integrating energy performance evaluation through enhanced accuracy and efficiency of data exchange, the findings have significant impacts on stakeholders involved in building design, construction, and operation. Additionally, this process can optimize energy consumption in buildings. Further research is needed to address remaining challenges and improve BIM to BEM systems compatibility including the development of smart mechanisms for energy model creation and resolution parameters refinement. Case studies on different building types and long-term performance monitoring are recommended. This research contributes to the efficiency of exporting data from BIM to BEM interfaces, offering insights for practitioners and guiding future research in BIM-BEM tools integration.

ПРИЧИНЫ ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЙ БАЛКОННЫХ ПЛИТ ЖИЛЫХ ДОМОВ

The main cause of defects and damage to balcony plates can be considered the so-called temporary factor, which has a far from positive effect on the general state of the structure - the impact of atmospheric-sphere precipitation, strong temperature differences. In addition to the temporary factor, the destruction of the balcony slab can be influenced by mistakes made during installation, no drains and overstrain of the balcony slab due to excessive load on it, which causes the formation of cracks. The basis for the survey was the check of the technical condition of the balcony slabs of a three-story multi-storey brick residential building in order to determine the degree of wear, possible defects and assess the possibility of further operation of the slab. A structural solution analysis was carried out to assess the technical condition of the building structures. Loads acting on the structures, impacts and operating conditions, the quality of structures, materials and connections were established. This also took into account factors such as the geometric dimensions of structures and their sections; presence of cracks, splits and destruction; condition of protective coatings; broken adhesion of reinforcement to concrete; presence of reinforcement rupture; condition of anchoring of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement; degree of corrosion of concrete and reinforcement. As a result of visual and measuring control, defects and damages having the requirements of operation and leading to a malfunction of the structure were revealed. The results set forth in the article may be of interest to specialists of expert organizations who are engaged in the examination of residential apartment buildings in order to assess the actual state of bearing structures, in particular balcony slabs

МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЯ ДВОРІВ БАГАТОКВАРТИРНОЇ ЖИТЛОВОЇ ЗАБУДОВИ В УКРАЇНІ: ПЕРЕДУМОВИ ТА ЗАВДАННЯ

The article considers the main approaches and means of urban planning optimization of courtyard spaces of residential apartment buildings in the late twentieth century in various areas of urban planning theory and practice. The purpose of the article is to substantiate them for implementation in Ukraine. The research is based on a comparison of the technical indicators of residential groups in Lviv (Ukraine), Leinefelde (Germany) and Kielce (Poland). The considered theoretical works and practical approaches are grouped by conceptual approaches and means of their realization: - renovation, reconstruction and construction of new buildings (in the context of sustainable development and energy efficiency); - previous point with a significant emphasis on the development of existing and saturation of spaces with new functions necessary to fully provide for the residents of the residential area; - a complex strategy for the development of the territory. The success or appropriateness of these approaches should be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all available factors. The method of systematizing the available knowledge about the object of research and substantiating the needs for the object based on the development of quantitative indicators is used in the work. For the detailed analysis, we chose an area in the northern part of Lviv in the area of I. Mazepa Street, I. Mykolaychuk Street, and M. Khvylovoho Street, which is currently being intensively urbanized. The level of comfort and technical condition of housing built in Ukraine at the end of the twentieth century no longer meets the requirements of the present. This also applies to the courtyard space of these houses. Based on the authors' previous experience on this topic, the authors propose the next - the main method of modernizing the courtyards of residential apartment buildings is to reduce the area of functionally inefficient territories by introducing new functions - commercial and non-commercial, as a means of revitalizing the area.

Community solar PV adoption in residential apartment buildings: A case study on influencing factors and incentive measures in Wuhan

The potential benefits of adopting PV (photovoltaic) in residential apartments in China, such as reducing peak demand and electricity transmission issues, have been overlooked. Community PV is more applicable for most Chinese cities residents living in apartment buildings. However, existing studies failed to provide comprehensive insight regarding factors influencing community PV adoption and adoption decision strategies. This study utilized a discrete choice experiment performed in Wuhan to examine individuals' community PV adoption preferences and analyze the factors influencing their decisions. The study found that respondents who were well-educated, older than 40, lived in residential buildings constructed earlier than 2006, had a living area >120 m2, or used AC for more months in the summer were more likely to adopt PV. Three decision strategies (classes) with different PV product preferences were identified. Peer effect is identified to significantly influence the community PV adoption as almost 65% of the respondents are more likely to adopt PV if there are high neighboring PV adoption or installation agreement rates. Cost was not a determining factor for a significant proportion of respondents, who instead focused on revenue. Subsidy policies also had limited influence, affecting only about 43% of respondents. Policy implications are provided based on the research results.

Method combining expert and analytical approaches towards economical energy renovation roadmaps and improved indoor comfort

This paper proposes a two-fold method, combining expert and analytical approaches, to develop an energy renovation roadmap for residential apartment buildings. The expert approach provides cost estimates based on energy performance certificates, considering the building’s existing condition, national building tradition, and requirements. Renovation actions are limited to the most probable and required actions. The analytical approach uses computer power and various renovation action variations to identify optimal solutions for defined KPIs. As the cost efficiency of energy conservation action depends on model complexity, the expert approach considers this aspect. The analytical approach focuses on indoor comfort and energy use, as cost optimality evaluation is not possible for non-linear costs of energy conservation actions. Sensitivity analysis is used to support credible ranges for rentability of energy conservation measures and reflect on optimal solutions and indoor environmental consequences.

Skeletal Space Structure Systems: Select Areas of Opportunity to Achieve Sustainability in Construction

This paper examines some of the largely neglected areas of opportunity to utilize skeletal space structure systems in support of the modular, industrialized, economical, sustainable, and digital future of the construction industry. In this context, the feasibility of the future use of skeletal space structures is studied for a few classes of engineering structures, namely, residential apartment buildings and offshore platforms, along with their suitability for the reconstruction, renovation, modernization, and retrofit of damaged buildings and urban areas of cultural heritage significance. Finally, the particular features of lean project management in space structures are discussed with emphasis on engineering and economic factors, production management, environmental aspects, quality management, reliability, maintainability, and sustainability. This article concludes that skeletal space structures can fulfil many of the essential construction requirements of modern societies, especially those facing environmental challenges, all while allowing for design flexibility and mass customization.

Statistical parametric and non-parametric control charts for monitoring residential water consumption

The adoption of strategies for monitoring water consumption is essential for water resources management, contributing to the promotion of the sustainability in the water sector. Statistical process control (SPC) charts, which are widely used in the industrial sector, are statistical methods developed to improve the quality of products and processes. The application of this method has reached other areas over the last decades and has recently been identified as an option for environmental monitoring. In this context, the application of SPC charts emerges as an option for water consumption monitoring, whether in a building or an urban scale. Thus, this article aims to analyze the application of statistical process control charts in the monitoring of water consumption of two housing compounds in Joinville, southern Brazil. The methodological procedures include the use of the Shewhart and the EWMA control charts in addition to the non-parametric alternative, the EWMA-SN, assessing the effectiveness of these techniques in detecting water leaks in residential apartment buildings. The data sets, obtained through a telemetry metering system from the water utility, represent a period of 243 days. The results show that control charts are a powerful tool in identifying changes in water consumption patterns, with the EWMA chart flagging the leaks sooner.

Energy justice in heat metering: Findings from a Danish experiment of metering and distribution in residential apartment buildings

According to EU regulations on heat metering, households should be metered individually and pay accordingly. However, in apartment blocks, heating is often provided for the whole building, and different ways of distributing costs are used. In Denmark, an investigation has been carried out into new ways of distributing costs, using indoor climate measurements of temperature, CO2 and humidity. Incorporating these three types of measurements in payment distribution can create an incentive to encourage residents to pursue a healthier indoor climate with lower energy consumption. This paper reports on qualitative interviews with residents as well as housing staff taking part in the experiment, relating empirical findings to questions of justice and ethics raised in the literature. Analysis reveals differing levels of understanding among residents concerning metering systems and rationales, including in relation to cost distribution and questions of justice. The experiment was carried out in social housing blocks where some residents could be categorised as vulnerable in terms of limited income and specific heating needs. Furthermore, issues of global climate and justice from an intergenerational perspective are also considered. This paper therefore draws on wider discussions about energy justice and vulnerability related to types of heat metering, and shows how these issues are interlinked with the socio-material context and the interplay with socio-technical constructions of comfort norms. The relevance of country-specific insights are thus demonstrated at a European level and beyond.

Effects of adsorption and filtration processes on greywater microbiological contamination and the potential human health risk reduction

Abstract Recycling treated greywater (GW) for onsite, non-potable applications can reduce the potable water demand typically used for non-potable purposes. The conventional methods for GW treatment are limited in their ability to remove wide-ranging pollutants in ways that are inexpensive and use low energy. For this reason, effective and low-cost onsite treatment options are in demand. This study examines the effectiveness of sand filtration (SF), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), and activated carbon (AC) in the treatment of GW from a residential apartment building in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The study relies on four different pilot-scale experimental setups to investigate the effectiveness of SF, AC, and GBFS in treating microorganisms from GW and evaluate the microbial risk reduction using these treatment processes. A quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach is used for risk assessment. Results show that GBFS achieves a higher reduction of total coliform (TC) (0.54–2.05 log removal) and fecal coliform (FC) (1.96–2.30 log removal) than AC. SF improves reduction by 0.13–3.39 log removal and 1.11–3.68 log removal for TC and FC, respectively. The study also reveals substantial FC and Escherichia coli risk reduction by SF, AC and GBFS.

Data-mining-based identification of post-handover defect association rules in apartment housings

Abstract With the increasing expectations of clients and the growing complexity of the built environment, property management teams are facing constant pressure to effectively manage and rectify defects for improved building operational efficiency and performance. This study aims to develop and validate a defect correlation evaluation model for project and property management professionals by specifically (i) examining the defect detection and management mechanisms of residential buildings and (ii) quantifying the mechanical characteristics of defects by using association rules mining (ARM) techniques. In addressing the limitations of current evaluation approaches, this study proposed an ARM evaluation model that integrated, contextualized, and operationalized building defects into work type, location, elements, and defect type. The association between these classifications was explored and mapped. Among the resulting 123 meaningful rules, rules occurred at a rate of about 62% of the same work type in the linked work type, nearly 193% of the same element in another element, and about 23% of the close location in the far location. In conclusion, this study informs project and property management professionals of the key and complex associations between defects of different characteristics and highlights the most common occurrence defects in residential apartment buildings. Thus, this helps reduce the ambiguity and subjectivity of prioritization in defect management and facilitates maintenance and repair planning.

МНОГОКРИТЕРИАЛЬНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ МЕРОПРИЯТИЙ ПО РЕСУРСОСБЕРЕЖЕНИЮ В ИНЖЕНЕРНЫХ СИСТЕМАХ ТИПОВЫХ ЗДАНИЙ

Improving the energy efficiency of existing capital construction projects is an important and urgent task. To improve the efficiency of operation of residential apartment buildings, an analysis of existing measures for energy and resource saving was carried out, a set of particular criteria for the effectiveness of energy-saving measures for engineering systems of buildings was proposed, and the values of savings during their implementation for four types of houses were determined. A method for assessing the comparative effectiveness of energy-saving measures using the DEA multi-criteria assessment method (Data Envelopment Analysis) is proposed. Comprehensive performance criteria are formulated for the analysis of measures for heating, water supply and electricity supply systems. The use of the DEA methodology makes it possible to optimize the choice of priority areas for the implementation of resource saving measures for all types of buildings

Цитоморфологічні та цитогенетичні характеристики букального епітелію осіб, які мешкають в умовах «хворої будівлі»

The micronucleus test on buccal cells is a sensitive, minimally invasive and quite common method of cytogenetic studies. Aim. Study of cytomorphological and cytogenetic characteristics of the buccal epithelium using the micronucleus test in persons exposed to volatile organic compounds in the conditions of a "sick building". Materials and methods. The condition of the buccal epithelium was studied in 237 residents of apartment buildings and offices who complained of an unpleasant smell in the premises (male – 117, female – 120). Buccal cells were stained with 2.5 % acetoorcein solution and 1 % light green. Microscopy of the preparations was carried out using an optical microscope OPTON Axioskop (Germany) with magnification by oil immersion – x1000. Morphometric analysis of cell parameters and calculation of the percentage ratio of different forms of epitheliocytes was carried out using the Excel program. Calculations of the frequency of formation of micronuclei were carried out according to the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 13.03.2007 № 116 "On the approval of methodological recommendations: Survey and zoning of the territory according to the degree of influence of anthropogenic factors on the state of environmental objects using cytogenetic methods." Statistical data processing was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.0 program (Student's t-test; Mann-Whitney; ANOVA: Tukey; T3-Dunnett), at p ≤ 0.05. Results. Cytomorphological and cytogenetic changes in buccal cells were detected in a wide range of frequencies of 0.3–7.0 ‰; normal cells – 81 %; karyorrhexis and mast cells – 5 %, nuclear doubling and vacuolar dystrophy – 2 %, phagocytosis-apoptosis and absence of a nucleus – 1 %, colonization by microflora – 1 %, micropoison – 0.6 %, multinucleated cells – 0.5 %, protrusion of the nucleus "broken "egg" – 0.5 %, "tongue" nucleus protrusion – 0.3 %. According to the MN-test, it was established that a strong correlation between the parameters of the frequency of MN formation and increasing age (R2 = 0.860) was characteristic of females, however, the degree of correlation was weak among males (R2 = 0.495). It was also established that the maximum rate of formation of micronucleus was observed among males in the age groups of 15–39 years and 65 years and older, and among females – in the age group of 65 years and older. Conclusions. In general, studies confirm that buccal epitheliocytes are sensitive to various exogenous and endogenous factors, which affects the cytomorphological and cytogenetic features of buccal cells, and these features have a rather wide spectrum. Keywords: indoor air, "sick building syndrome", cytogenetic studies, buccal epithelium, micronucleus test.

Reduced order 1 + 3D numerical model for evaluating the performance of solar borehole thermal energy storage systems

This study presents a computationally efficient numerical model for solving the fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena in co-axial boreholes heat exchangers arranged on a rectangular grid (N × N) drill hole pattern. Such systems of boreholes are an integral component of a Solar-Borehole Thermal Energy Storage System for seasonal thermal storage application. The numerical model couples a one-dimensional fluid flow and convective heat transfer model in the heat exchanger with a three-dimensional model of conductive heat transfer in the strata. In addition to solving mass and heat transfer in borehole systems, it integrates a solar thermal collector system and building dynamic thermal load to design a Solar- Borehole Thermal Energy Storage system for a 182-unit residential apartment building. Simulation also considers and evaluates the conductive, convective, and radiative thermal losses of the system. The model is validated using experimental data from a coaxial borehole heat exchanger and compared to the results of a commercial finite volume solver for multiple co-axial boreholes. The computational cost of developed numerical model is reduced by a factor of 194 compared to a commercial finite volume solver. Solar- Borehole Thermal Energy Storage system simulation is performed for a period of five years considering hourly fluctuations in solar irradiance and building dynamic thermal energy demand. Parametric study is performed on depth and spacing of boreholes, and mass flowrate in the solar thermal collectors. It is found that a system of 100 boreholes, each 100 m deep, linked to 674 solar thermal collectors can provide the heating for the building with a total thermal demand of 5600 GJ per year.

Features of Regulation Document Translation into a Machine-Readable Format within the Verification of Building Information Models

The transition to a design based on information modeling has paved the way for automated verification of project documentation. The most complicated type of design documentation check is the assessment of compliance with the requirements of regulatory documents since its automation requires the translation of statements written in natural language into a machine-readable format. At the same time, building codes and regulations should be suitable for translation into machine-readable form. However, a large number of provisions presented in regulatory documents cannot be subjected to automated verification due to their specific features. This study aimed to analyze the suitability of the regulatory provisions to be translated into a machine-readable format, identify limiting factors, and establish recommendations to avoid these factors. This study was conducted based on the example of the code of rules for “Residential Apartment Buildings” (SP 54.13330.2016) applied in the Russian Federation. During the research, a previously developed algorithm that generates rules for checking building information models and is based on the RuleML language was applied to the provisions of the standard above to identify statements that can and cannot be translated. As a result, 356 statements were received, which were divided into five groups: requirements suitable for translation into a machine-readable format, requirements containing links to other documents (regulatory and not only), requirements of uncertain interpretation, requirements that cannot be verified based on an information model, and informative requirements. For the first group of statements, there were examples given for both the statements and the rules derived from them. For the other four groups, examples of statements were supplied with factors preventing the translation of requirements into a machine-readable format and solutions on how to avoid these factors. An analysis of the distribution of statements (related to the above-mentioned groups) by sections of the standard showed that a significant part of the requirements is suitable for translation into a machine-readable format. The possible obstacles to translation can be overcome by attracting experts and using programming tools. The paper also makes recommendations on how to arrange new standard structures.

Role of sustainable refurbishment in the perception of quality of life of residential building occupants in Prishtina, Kosovo

PurposeThe aim of this research is to investigate the impact of thermal, acoustic and HVAC upgrades on the perception of the quality of life among residential building occupants.Design/methodology/approachThe present study used a quantitative research approach, utilizing a questionnaire as the research instrument. A survey was conducted with 1,119 residential apartment building occupants in Prishtina, Kosovo, using a stratified random sampling method for selection of participants.FindingsThe present study used quantitative research with a questionnaire as the research instrument. The survey was conducted with 1,119 residential apartment building occupants in Prishtina, Kosovo, using stratified random sampling. The study found that thermal retrofits, acoustic retrofits and HVAC upgrades as a whole model affect the perception of the quality of life of residential building occupants in Prishtina, Kosovo. However, the study found that not all dimensions of the constructed research model (thermal, acoustic and HVAC) affect the perception of the quality of life of residential building occupants. Specifically, thermal retrofitting seems to strongly influence the perception of quality of life, while HVAC upgrades do not seem to have an impact on the quality of life of occupants. Finally, acoustic retrofits also influence the perception of the quality of life, although not to the same degree as thermal retrofitting.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study contributes to understanding the role that thermal retrofits, acoustic retrofits and HVAC upgrades play in the perception of quality of life by building occupants in an understudied region with a booming real estate sector such as Kosovo. The study also highlights the need for further analysis to understand why HVAC upgrades do not seem to influence the perception of quality of life by residential building occupants in Kosovo.Originality/valueThe present study is the first to quantify the impact of thermal, acoustic and HVAC upgrades on the perception of the quality of life of residential building occupants in Prishtina, Kosovo.

Grey Wolf algorithmic framework for building energy optimization in India's Köppen-Geiger climatic zones

ABSTRACT Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) is an emerging evolutionary metaheuristic technique capable of solving challenging engineering problems. Despite its growing popularity, GWO's suitability for building design problems remains unexplored. This paper presents a novel algorithmic framework using EnergyPlus, EPLauncher and Matlab to implement a single and bi-objective GWO for building energy optimization. The goal is to identify optimal wall and window type, orientation, air conditioner's operational profiles and cooling setpoints consistent with minimum annual and peak cooling energy demands for a residential apartment building in five Köppen-Geiger climate zones across India. In place of testing the entire parametric space involving 5,76,000 possibilities, GWO identifies the optimal solutions inside 1250 trials (∼99% run reduction). The single and bi-objective GWO produces (83-97)% and (75-95)% annual and peak cooling demand reductions than a typical construction and operation scenario in the five climate zones. The optimized solutions recommend low thermal transmittance-high capacitance wall sections, 10–15% window-to-wall ratios and double glazed windows with a low solar gain coefficient. Further, optimal air conditioner operational parameters (setpoint and duration) are identified. The presented algorithmic framework is highly robust and can integrate can incorporate upcoming metaheuristic algorithms to perform single and multiobjective building energy optimizations.

Methodological approaches to the assessment of public opinion during the overhaul of apartment buildings

In the article, using the example of a survey of residents of apartment houses (AH) on the quality of capital repairs, methodological approaches to assessing public opinion are considered. Processing the results of the survey showed that the definition of the coefficient of concordance is insufficient. It is shown that in order to assess the reliability of surveys conducted by the Delphi method, one should focus on achieving a greater confidence probability, and not on the value of the concordance coefficient. The survey showed that the priority factor for residents of apartment buildings of all ages and genders when assessing major repairs is the use of quality materials. For women of all ages, the issue of the cost of repairs was very important. Its importance for this group of respondents turned out to be almost at the level of the importance of the quality of materials. For the practical application of the results obtained, the weight coefficients of each studied factor were calculated for the total sample of respondents, which made it possible to create a methodology for express assessment of the quality of ongoing overhauls based on Harrington's verbal-numerical scales.