Glazing Type Research Articles

Photopic and Melanopic Analysis of Daylight Through Glazing in Indoor Environments

Daylight influences more than just our vision; elements such as its intensity and spectral composition can significantly impact our circadian rhythms and, consequently, our overall well-being. In this study, we present an analysis of a classroom simulated in Dialux, involving a comprehensive examination of natural daylight through a specific type of glazing, assessing their photopic characteristics and their influence on the human circadian system in individuals aged 32 and 70 years. Our findings highlight that spectral data from daylight (D75, D65, and D50) and glazing transmittance can be easily used to evaluate the melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (mel-EDI) in addition to standard photopic illuminance, applying a f(MP)Glazing factor calculated from the spectral characteristics of both daylight and glazing transmittance. Our results provide new insights for users to more effectively assess daylighting quality and its implications within indoor environments.

Efficient Daylighting: The Importance of Glazing Transmittance and Room Surface Reflectance

This study quantitatively analyzes the influence of the spectral characteristics, reflectance or transmittance, of different materials on the lighting of an interior space with natural and artificial light. For this purpose, a three-dimensional simulated classroom is used, where each of the components is assigned specific materials with an associated reflectance or transmittance. Additionally, two types of lighting are available: 6500 K daylight and light from six continuous spectrum LED luminaires. The lighting is evaluated on two planes: the work plane and the corneal plane (80 cm and 120 cm from the floor, respectively). Three versions of the same classroom were analyzed by varying the walls (white, blue, and red), each with a different neutral-colored floor. Furthermore, calculations were performed in each situation considering two different types of glazing in the windows, with 20% and 88% transmittance. The photopic and melanopic lighting analysis was carried out with the ALFA calculation program to verify the necessary requirements for adequate lighting. The results show that the white classroom is the best lit, followed by the blue and finally the red, due to the reflectance characteristics of the walls and floor although slight differences among them are found. It was found that in some cases, additional auxiliary luminaires would be required for proper lighting depending on the transmittance of the glazing. This study highlights the critical role of material selection in optimizing both photopic and melanopic lighting, with practical implications for energy efficiency and occupant well-being in educational spaces.

Evaluating energy retrofit strategies in enhancing operational performance of mosques: A case study of Al-Imam Al-Hussein Mosque

Mosques are unique in terms of architectural design and operational efficiency. Architectural Design, building envelope characteristics, intermittent operating schedules, and occupancy patterns all impact the performance. Managing these factors poses challenges regarding reducing energy consumption and simultaneously achieving the occupants' thermal and visual comfort, especially in hot, arid climatic conditions. Also, the potential benefits of daylighting in reducing energy consumption in mosque buildings need to be addressed. Accordingly, this study evaluates the impact of various retrofit strategies on the operational performance of Al-Imam Al-Hussein Mosque, one of the large historic mosques in Cairo, considering the energy performance, thermal comfort, and daylighting performance. The current performance of the mosque has been analyzed using energy simulation software to determine the areas that affect its performance. Hence, five retrofitting strategies have been studied to assess their impact on improving the performance of the mosque. When changes are applied to the building envelope only by changing the glazing type, the visual discomfort is improved while sufficient daylighting is maintained inside the prayer area. By adding a cooling system and applying changes to the building envelope, thermal comfort was improved, and the visual discomfort decreased. However, this has led to an increase in energy consumption. Combining different strategies (as in strategy 5) by changing the glazing type, changing the operation scheme, adding LED lamps with dimmers, and adding a cooling system has improved the defined performance metrics. It has achieved a 23% decrease in the annual energy consumption, decreasing the visual discomfort by 30% while maintaining sufficient daylighting conditions inside the space, and enhancing occupants’ thermal comfort by 65%. The proposed approach aids in evaluating the retrofit strategies of mosque buildings, considering different criteria, including daylighting performance, to be energy efficient, sustainable, and maintain occupants’ visual and thermal comfort.

Impact of glazing type, window-to-wall ratio, and orientation on building energy savings quality: A parametric analysis in Algerian climatic conditions

Opaque surfaces, such as walls, are well-known for their significant contributions to heat loss and energy demands in buildings. However, transparent surfaces, such as windows, are equally critical to a building's energy performance. The design of these transparent elements requires a careful balance of various factors, including window size, glazing type, and orientation, each of which plays a pivotal role in enhancing energy efficiency. This study explores the optimization of these factors during the design process, emphasizing their impact on the overall building performance.This research evaluates the potential energy savings in a building archetype representative of the Algerian building stock. Utilizing the EnergyPlus simulation tool, the study conducted 1152 simulations on a baseline model to generate a comprehensive dataset detailing the building's energy demands for heating and cooling across various climatic conditions. The findings reveal that annual energy savings for this type of housing essentially depend on its climatic zone and can range from 6.92 % for a hot semi-arid climate (Bsh) to reach a maximum of 9.75 % in a cold semi-arid climate (Bsk), a window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of 60 % typically maximizes energy efficiency, low-E glazing proved most effective in most cases, although regions needing significant solar protection favored alternative glazing types. Optimal window orientation generally trends Eastward, except in regions where southern exposure better supports solar management, highlighting the complex relationship between architectural design choices and energy efficiency.

Microscopic study on characteristic decorative black and white porcelain produced in Shanxi province, Jin and Yuan dynasties (ad 1115–1368), China

AbstractBlack and white porcelain plays a critical role in Chinese decorative porcelain history. It is famous for its decorative styles and techniques, which create a strong black and white color contrast in its appearance. In this study, representative black and white porcelains produced in Shanxi province were analyzed by X‐ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM‐EDS. The results show that both Ca‐rich (~5.33 wt%) and Ca‐poor (~1.99 wt%) glazes were used leading to quite different microstructures. The pigment particles of Ca‐rich glazes are characterized by small size (≤2 μm), wide distribution, and tightly wrapped by anorthite. In contrast, they are larger (≥2 μm) and tightly cumulated together in Ca‐poor glazes. Hematite is the major crystal in pigment, double‐substituted by Al and Ti. The Al/Fe ratios are similar, but Ti/Fe ratios are quite different: They do not exceed 0.03% in Ca‐poor glazes, whereas they reach 0.12% in Ca‐rich glazes, suggesting that the origin of the pigments must be different. Al‐rich mineral such as kaolin was added to the pigment preparation in Ca‐rich glazes. The color of the pattern is mainly influenced by the size, quantity, and concentration of brown Ti‐doping hematite, as well as the thickness of the glaze layer and other crystals and Fe ions. The fired atmosphere of Ca‐rich glaze type seems less oxidizing than for Ca‐poor glaze type. Overall, the results confirm that black and white porcelain has a variety of production techniques, which is attributed to the craftsman adjusting the techniques according to the composition of raw materials.

Component-based SHGC determination of BIPV glazing for product comparison

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are intrinsically designed to generate electricity and to provide at least one building-related function. When BIPV modules act as glazing products in windows, skylights or curtain walls, their ability to control the transmission of solar energy into the building must be characterised by a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) or g value (also known as Total Solar Energy Transmittance – TSET – or “solar factor”). For the comparison of BIPV glazing products consisting of one PV laminate and possibly further, conventional glazing layers separated by gas-filled cavities, the procedures documented in international standards for architectural glazing (e.g. ISO 9050 and EN 410) form a suitable starting point. Easily implemented modifications to these procedures are proposed to take both optical inhomogeneity (if relevant) and extraction of electricity from BIPV glazing units into account. Geometrically complex glazing and shading devices, and light-scattering glazing layers, are outside the scope of the proposed methodology; SHGC determination for obliquely incident solar radiation is also excluded. For these cases, the experimental calorimetric approach documented in [ISO 19467:2017; ISO 19467-2:2021] is recommended.The paper also presents results and conclusions from an implementation exercise and sensitivity study carried out by participants of the IEA-PVPS Task 15 on BIPV. The cell coverage ratio in the PV laminate, the thermal resistance offered by the glazing configuration, the choice of boundary conditions and the effect of extracting electricity were all identified as parameters which significantly affect the SHGC value determined for a given type of BIPV glazing. A practicable approach to accommodate the great variety of dimensions typical for BIPV glazing is also proposed. These findings should pave the way for modifying the existing component-based standards for architectural glazing to take the specific features of BIPV glazing into account.

Non-Invasive Raman Classification Comparison with pXRF of Monochrome and Related Qing Porcelains: Lead-Rich-, Lead-Poor-, and Alkali-Based Glazes.

Chinese porcelain with an optically clear colored glaze, imported to Europe from the Kangxi period (1662-1722, Qing Dynasty) onwards was highly collected by the French Elite of the 18th century. The bright colors with a clear, shiny glaze were unlike anything produced in Europe at that time. The colors of enamelled artifacts (on biscuits or already glazed porcelain) can be fully monochrome or consist of associations of large monochromatic areas with or without application of gilding. Non-invasive portable XRF and mobile Raman analyses have previously shown their effectiveness in the characterization of (colored) glassy silicates. In this study, we compare the Raman signatures of twenty-one Chinese artifacts fully-or with major monochrome area (sancai)-decorated with blue, turquoise (or celectian blue), honey-yellow, green, eggplant, and red color. Different types of glazes are identified and confirmed by pXRF: lead-rich, lead-poor-alkali, lead-doped alkali, and alkali-based compositions. However, an unexpected low level of lead is observed in the turquoise glazes, likely to optimize the gloss. Raman spectroscopy appears more reliable to compare the Pb content than pXRF. This work presents Raman spectral signatures of glazes that can potentially be used for non-invasive object classification and counterfeit detection.

Influence of glazing type on the drying kinetics and thermal performance of indirect solar dryer for jelly candy

This research aims to evaluate drying kinetics and thermal performance, influenced by the type of glazing. A novel solar dryer that has a phase-change-materials (PCM), heat-recovery (HR), V-groove absorber, and photovoltaic (PV). The research was carried out on jelly candy objects treated with the influence of glazing (single-double-vacuum glazing). Jelly candy has an equilibrium moisture content using single, double, and vacuum glazing collectors, namely 11.59 % (wb), 9.94 % (wb), and 8.83 % (wb), respectively. Then, all types of glazing have an average drying rate value of 0.05 % (wb)/min for three working days. Based on the model accuracy test indicate that the Page and Verma et al. model are the best models for predicting drying kinetics in jelly candy. Specific heat (Cp) and thermal conductivity (k) decreased as the equilibrium moisture content decreased with a range of >1000–2250 J/kg°C and >0.05–0.11 W/m.K, respectively. The heat-utilization-factor (HUF) and coefficient-of-energy (COE) values show an average value of 0.79 and 0.21. Various glazing shows an average heat-gain-percentage (HGP) of 24.82 %. Drying efficiency of indirect solar dryers with single, double, and vacuum solar collectors, namely 83.6 %, 85.2 %, and 85.2 %, respectively. SEM-EDS analysis shows that the surface of the jelly candy is filled with sugar crystals and contains several elements (C,O,K,Fe).

Improving the efficiency of the trombe wall by integrating multi-fold glazing and sustainable materials: Ifrane, Morocco as a case study

The Trombe wall is renowned for its effectiveness in passive heating during winter, but it can lead to overheating in summer. To address this issue, this study investigates a Trombe wall with fully opening glazing during the summer season, employing multi-fold glazing. The research, conducted in Ifrane, Morocco, focuses on a residential building using the Conduction Finite Difference Method within the DesignBuilder software, and examines three configurations: a reference configuration, classic Trombe wall, and Trombe wall with multi-fold glazing. The results demonstrate that the last configuration achieves a 63 % (24,94 kWh/m2) reduction in total energy consumption compared to the reference configuration and a 34 % (7,62 kWh/m2) reduction compared to the classic Trombe wall. Additionally, the implementation of sustainable ecological biomaterials, such as timber instead of concrete, is explored to reduce CO2 emissions. Further analysis of the Trombe wall with multi-fold glazing is conducted by considering five parameters: glazing type, emissivity, vent size, insulation, and PCM thicknesses. These parameters are examined across five different variables. Reducing emissivity leads to reductions of 51 % and 30 % in heating energy consumption and discomfort hours, respectively. Modifying the type of glazing results in an 11 % reduction in heating energy consumption. Increasing insulation thickness leads to notable reductions of 15 % in heating energy consumption and 6 % in discomfort hours. Conversely, increasing PCM thickness and vent size yields had minimal impact on total energy consumption, each resulting in a 1 % reduction. This research provides insights into optimizing Trombe walls by integrating multi-fold glazing to address summer overheating issues and by exploring additional parameters to enhance system performance.

Experimental and numerical study of the interaction between tempered glass fallout and enclosure fire dynamics

Tempered glass, as an important type of safety glazing, is extensively used in high-rise buildings. However, little is known about the fallout behavior of tempered glass in the compartment with different fire locations. Therefore, in this work, the exposed framed glass panes with the dimension of 815 × 815 × 6 mm3 were heated by a pool fire in the compartment. The fuel pans were placed at six different locations in the compartment. It was found that the fallout time of tempered glass increased with a decrease in the distance between the fuel pan and glass panes; when the fire was moved to the wall side, the fallout time of tempered glass was longer. Besides, the temperature gradient of the glass surface at the exposed area was insignificant when the fire source was at the center line of the doorway opening, while there was an evident temperature gradient of the glass surface on the height direction due to the apparent smoke layer in the upper of the compartment for near wall fire locations. In addition, CFD numerical simulations were conducted using FDS software to observe the temperature and velocity fields inside the compartment with different fire locations. It was found that when the fire was moved to the wall side, the circulation flow was formed at both the high-temperature region near the fire source and the low-temperature region on the left of the compartment.

Optimization of the Air-Conditioning Energy Performance and Daylight Performance of AResidential Building According to the Bioclimatic Design Principles: An Application to the Moroccan Mediterranean

The bioclimatic architecture concept refers to an approach that takes into account the various characteristics of a building environment to make it more comfortable for its occupants. This work aims to improve the passive design parameters of an air-conditioned residential building located in the north of Morocco, in accordance with bioclimatic principles. The bioclimatic chart diagram is used to select the passive design measures that are the most appropriate for the north Morocco climate characteristics. Then, a set of design parameters are selected for more delimitation in the optimization study. The optimization problem is multi-objective and aims to find the design solution that simultaneously includes the best air-conditioning energy performance and daylight performance. The obtained results showed that the multi-objective optimum design solution is characterized by massive walls and roof, exterior insulation, double window glazing type, and a high summer ventilation rate. Also, a small glazing area with a large sun-shading covering is needed for the east facade. Ultimately, the building performance analysis revealed that the optimum bioclimatic design solution fully meets the requirements establishedby the Moroccan Building Thermal Regulation (MBTR), leading to an energy performance improvement of about 52%.

Environmental performance of patient rooms using an integrated approach considering operational energy, daylight and comfort analysis

PurposeThe aim is to holistically assess the environmental performance of windows and analyse how their design and characteristics contribute to the overall performance of the building/space. This study focuses on the performance of windows in patient rooms hosting less mobile people.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates the life cycle environmental impacts of different glazing types, window frames and fire safety doors at the product level. This article also presents a building-integrated environmental analysis of patient rooms that considers the multiple functionalities of windows by incorporating dynamic energy analysis, comfort and daylighting performance with a life cycle assessment (LCA) study.FindingsThe results indicate that the amount of flat glass is the main contributor to the environmental impacts of the glazing units. As for the patient rooms, global warming shows the most significant contribution to the environmental costs, followed by human toxicity, particulate matter formation and eutrophication. The key drivers for these impacts are production processes and operational energy use. This study highlights the significance of evaluating a wide range of criteria for assessing the performance of windows.Originality/valueAn integrated assessment approach is used to investigate the influence of windows on environmental performance by considering the link between window/design parameters and their effects on energy use/costs, daylighting, comfort and environmental impacts. The embodied impacts of different building elements and the influence of various design parameters on environmental performance are assessed and compared. The environmental costs are expressed as an external environmental cost (euro).

Daylight and energy performance of side lighting systems in an office room in a subtropical climate

In office buildings, daylight is an important natural resource, as it is profusely available during occupied hours. However, its use can increase energy consumption for air conditioning. Therefore, combining this resource with side lighting systems and promoting its integration with electric lighting is essential to obtain an energy balance. This paper aims to analyze daylight performance and the energy consumption for lighting and air conditioning considering four types of glazing, four orientations, from window-to-wall ratios varying between 40% to 100% for bare and shaded window models in an office room located in a subtropical city in southern Brazil. The methodology was based on Useful Daylight Illuminance levels of 500 to 2,500 lx, Daylight Autonomy levels of 500 lx, and total energy consumption through simulation in DesignBuilder software. The results showed that L13 glazing is not recommended for bare and shaded windows, regardless of window orientation. M76 presented the best performance for energy consumption for West shaded windows. For the West, shading is necessary irrespective of the glazing type (except L13, whose best performance is for bare windows) from WWR 50%. M76 and M52 had the lowest total energy consumption. The findings of this study add to an understanding of the energy savings and lighting performance of different types of glazing, combined with window apertures, and solar orientations for a subtropical climate. Furthermore, the study shows that the choice of glazing depends not only on the presence of shading but also on the orientation and WWR, without a linear behavior.

Thermally Future-Proofing Existing Libyan Housing Stock with Biobased Insulation Materials and Passive Measures: An Empirical and Numerical Study Using a Digital Twin

Thermal refurbishment and retrofitting building envelopes with passive measures such as the optimisation of opaque and transparent fabric performance may play a key role in reducing cooling and heating load and promoting building energy efficiency. Furthermore, to reduce the embodied carbon impact of the building, the refurbishment measures need to consider the use of low-carbon building materials. This paper investigates ways to thermally future-proof typical Libyan houses using biobased materials. Several typical Libyan houses were monitored for one year to investigate the heating and cooling energy use and to thermally retrofit the building envelope. A digital twin was created in the DesignBuilder software using the real building data of one building for digital model calibration. Finally, multi-objective optimisation was carried out with low-impact biobased materials for insulation, including camel hair, sheep wool, and date palm fibre as well as using other optimisation variables such as shading and glazing types. The study reveals that thermally upgrading the building roof and wall with insulation materials and upgrading the windows with energy-efficient glazing and local shadings can achieve a reduction in cooling load from 53.51 kWh/m2/y to 40.8 kWh/m2/y. Furthermore, the heating load reduces from 19.4 kW/m2/y to 15 kW/m2/y without compromising the standard annual discomfort hours.

Improving Thermal Performance in the University Classrooms

Universities are among spaces where it's important to ensure thermal comfort in indoor spaces, improving the occupants' well-being and productivity. The problem of the research was to study appropriate glazing systems for the spaces of the University of Baghdad because glazing systems are one of the most important elements of the indoor environments, and it has a major impact on the thermal performance of buildings. Glass is one of the most seasoned materials that are most utilized in the design. Since it is a diaphanous material, it allows sunlight to enter the building, increasing the space's temperature, cooling loads, and energy consumption in summer. The research followed the experimental method by studying and testing(conventional, advanced, and photovoltaic glazing)by Revit and Onyx Solar analysis in the Architectural Department classes to find the appropriate type of glazing in the spaces of hot, dry areas. The results showed that advanced glazing is the best by reducing the cooling loads andincreasingthermal performance quality. Photovoltaic glazing showed its efficiency in filling part of the electrical energy needs within the spaces of the Architectural department.

Impact of Shading and Glazing Types of Trombe Walls on the Carbon Footprint of Residential Buildings in Morocco

Impact of Shading and Glazing Types of Trombe Walls on the Carbon Footprint of Residential Buildings in Morocco

Modelling the energy demand of a residential building using an artificial neural network (ANN) approach

The consumption of fossil fuels accelerates and accentuates the formation and development of the climate change phenomenon. Understanding the energy demand in the early-stage design could lead to more energy savings. There are several methods for predicting buildings energy demand and they differ overall in terms of prediction quality. The multicollinearity of variables, linearity, and other conditions limit the predictive quality of standard models such as linear regression modeling. This paper is interested in developing an energy demand prediction tool based on artificial neural network modeling ANN to test its limitations and its predictive quality. For this purpose, and based on the scientific literature, a panel of parameters often used by architects at the time of architectural design was selected, which are, the thermal resistance of the external walls, the type, and rate of glazing, the orientation, the shading devices the set point cooling PMV and natural ventilation rate schedule. A campaign of 600 dynamic thermal simulations is then run under energy plus using the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) approach. The best ANN model obtained after testing several activating functions gave a prediction potential of over 99.7%. The model also ranks each parameter according to its importance in the equation identifying the energy demand. It can therefore be assumed that the artificial neural network technique is effective and the ANN outperforms the other prediction methods.

Evaluation and analysis of transmitted daylight color quality for different colored semi-transparent PV glazing

Windows are one of the minor energy-efficient building elements, and PV windows can replace conventional windows to improve building energy performance. This study explored the color quality of transmitted light from 24 types of semi-transparent PV glazing, considering the color rendering index (CRI-Ra), gamut index (Rg), color fidelity index (Rf), and correlated color temperature (CCT). PV glazing in this study had four different transparencies (i.e., 20 %, 40 %, 60 % and 80 %) and six colors. The results indicate that different transparencies have little impact on the color quality of the transmitted light, but there are variations in PV glazing with different colors. PV glazing with different colors Ra ranging from 48.5 to 98.1, Rf ranging from 0.9 to 98.4, Rg ranging from 76.4 to 170.8, and CCT ranging from 1036.8 to 7948.8 K. This study summarized the feasible application scenarios of different colored semi-transparent PV glazing from indoor visual activities and human-centric point of view. The energy savings of PV glazing ranged from −43.88 % to 35.55 % in five climate zones in China. Lower PV transmittance leads to higher building energy consumption. The most energy-efficient PV glazing is PV-Regular 40 %, and the least is PV-Green 20 %.

Energy Efficient Design for a Conventional Building using BIM Tools

Nowadays, energy has become a key player in the AEC industry because of the increase in global warming and energy crisis. Due to global warming the consumption of energy has increased enormously in buildings. The no. of buildings have grown in tandem with rise in levels of urbanization in developing & developed countries, which in return rises the bar for energy consumption. The improved energy performance of the building is significantly influenced by both interior and exterior building factors. It is preferred to perform energy analysis in the design stage of the building. The current paper is the talks about the energy model by improving the design of a conventional buildings, an energy – efficient model is been created which uses less energy and reduces its carbon footprint. Energy analysis using BIM can be used to optimize the building’s design and identify opportunities for improvement, such as implementing energy-saving technologies, improving insulation and air tightness, and reducing energy loss through window frames, it’s glazing type and also redesigning the other parameters including HVAC types, Window shades, change in orientation etc. In the earlier, the conventional model to produce energy through renewable sources like solar and wind, and incorporate them into the building’s design. Thus, obtained results after analysis can be used to take design decisions and ensure the building meets energy efficiency standards and sustainability goals. The use of BIM in the design and analysis of energy-efficient buildings can help support the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future.

Passive Energy Conservation Strategies for Mitigating Energy Consumption and Reducing CO2 Emissions in Traditional Dwellings of Peking Area, China

Within China, brick dwellings stand as archetypal relics of traditional habitation, embodying a “living fossil” status. The sustainability of these dwellings is contingent upon the integration of energy-conservation strategies. This study scrutinized and empirically assessed a representative dwelling in the Peking area. Using numerical simulations, the impact on energy consumption of factors such as insulation and glazing type, external wall thickness, insulation thickness, and solar energy utilization was evaluated. The outcomes reveal that introducing external thermal insulation—specifically, expanded polystyrene panels with a thickness of 60 mm and 40 mm for the roof and exterior walls, respectively—along with a sunspace of depth 1.5 m yielded superior energy efficiency. Additionally, substituting conventional roofing with solar tiles exhibited a potential annual electricity generation coupled with an annual solar radiation conversion efficiency of 17%. Collectively, these strategies induced a substantial reduction in annual energy consumption. This study presents tailored energy-conservation measures and provides design decision support for architects’ practical recommendations on thermal environment control of passive traditional dwellings in the Peking area.