Window Configuration Research Articles

Effectiveness of natural ventilation in controlling the smoke spread within a refuge floor of a high-rise building

Refuge floors in high-rise buildings ensure a haven for occupants to stay in an emergencyprimarily during a fire breakout. Provisions for natural ventilation of the refuge floor are mandatory in all fire codes as they help release smoke and heat build-up. However, the effectiveness of such provisions has been questioned in many studies. This research employs large eddy simulations based three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling on a real-world high-rise building to investigate the efficacy of natural ventilation in a refuge floor during a fire. Consequently, the performance was assessed by evaluating the temporal and spatial distributions of temperature, visibility, smoke and carbon monoxide concentration. Emphasis was placed on determining the adequacy of window placement and openings. Analysis was started with a code-compliant window configuration. Subsequently the window size and the layout were iteratively modified using simulation results. Seasonal wind variations were also considered. Results showed that a well-engineered natural ventilation strategy can considerably improve the refuge floor habitability. Simulations also revealed limitations of natural ventilation under certain wind conditions, necessitating a backup mechanical system. This also underlined that combining fire analysis with cutting-edge modelling allows tailored natural ventilation for refuge floors, maximising safe occupancy during fires.

Evaluation of speckle filtering configurations on Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter Analysis Ready Data (S1ARD) preparation framework on the Google Earth Engine platform for supporting rice monitoring activities

Implementing the Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter analysis ready data (S1ARD) preparation framework to Sentinel-1 C-band SAR data in the Google Earth Engine platform potentially enhances the quality of SAR data, facilitating the advancement of wide-scale, large-impact, and continuous SAR-supported RS applications such those for rice monitoring activities. Nevertheless, there is a lack of published works assessing different speckle filtering configurations available within the S1ARD preparation framework, particularly those directly associated with rice monitoring activities. This study quantitatively evaluated the performance of available speckle filtering parameters on the S1ARD preparation framework, analyzed their derived backscatter values over a rice-growing cycle, and utilized produced datasets as inputs to classify distinct classes of rice transplanting periods in two study areas by applying the random forest classifier. The backscatter analysis demonstrated that the mono-temporal speckle filtering frameworks yielded elevated backscatter values compared to the unfiltered dataset, which exhibited higher values than those derived by the multi-temporal frameworks. Furthermore, filtered datasets increased classification accuracies ranging from 9.30 - 13.95% and 17.23 - 25.94% in study area 1 and between 4.69 - 15.63% and 9.28 - 29.75% in study area 2, for OA and Kappa, respectively, than those produced by unfiltered datasets. Overall, the multi-temporal speckle filtering framework with a Lee filter, 15 number-of-image, and a 7 x 7 window configuration was recommended to apply to the S1ARD preparation framework to assist SAR-supported RS-based rice monitoring activities. Finally, the findings of this work offer direct guidance and recommendations about the behavior and contributions of Sentinel-1 C-band SAR data applied with distinct speckle filtering configurations yielded by benefiting the S1ARD preparation framework for aiding SAR-supported RS-based rice monitoring activities.

Data-driven approach for air pollutant concentrations forecasting: A window-based multi-output GBRT approach

Air pollutant concentrations forecasting is essential for detrimental public exposure prevention, air quality enhancement, and effective environmental policy shaping. Recently, air pollutant concentrations forecasting based on machine learning has been considerably advanced with the development of data-driven approaches. However, multi-source data constraints and architectural complexity in machine learning approaches limit the use of machine learning in actual scenarios. Herein we present a window-based multi-output gradient boosting regression tree (WM-GBRT) approach to predict air pollutant concentrations for the next 48 h at each monitoring station, considering air pollutant monitoring data, meteorological monitoring data, NECP-GFS data, and GEOS-CF data. The key innovation of our approach lies in the flexible input window configuration and the implementation of an multi-step independent strategy. The experiments were conducted in China and compared to existing data-driven baselines, we show that our approach achieved the superior performance in forecasting concentrations of six air pollutants, with a considerable improvement of 6.94 % (PM2.5), 12.3 % (PM10), 3.84 % (O3), 30.6 % (SO2), 9.84 % (NO2), and 93.9 % (CO) when compared to the second-best baselines. This simple yet efficient approach can be easily applied, providing a reliable technical method for predicting air pollutant concentrations.

The effect of window configuration on passive cooling in mosque interiors

The effect of window configuration on passive cooling in mosque interiors

Liquid flow glazing contributes to energy-efficient buildings: A review

This work gives a precise review of the researches completed on the energy conservation characteristics of liquid flow glazing. Its energy saving and environmental benefits under various design and operation conditions, contributions with renewable energy utilization, as well as application in zero energy buildings are timely explored and summarized. Its advantages lie in the reduction of thermal transmission between the indoor and outdoor environments, the beneficial thermal collection, and the tactful utilization of renewable energy. The optical and thermal properties, as well as the energy performance of liquid flow glazing were found much affected by the glazing and fluid properties, the window configuration, and the operating conditions. These are consequently linked to the degree of electricity saving, the decrease in atmospheric CO2 emission, and the shortened life cycle payback time. The integrated use of solar and geothermal energy in liquid flow glazing systems is also addressed. This leads to more practical studies on the applications in zero energy buildings, such as control, real-time monitoring, and energy management strategies of liquid flow glazing system. In essence, the development of an evaluation platform or database, with systemic classification of liquid flow glazing categories plus the corresponding graded energy saving characteristics, is deemed helpful to the building professionals in meeting the zero energy buildings development targets.

Multi-objective optimization of window configuration and furniture arrangement for the natural ventilation of office buildings using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis

Multi-objective optimization of window configuration and furniture arrangement for the natural ventilation of office buildings using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis

Build a bridge between ECG and EEG signals for atrial fibrillation diagnosis using AI methods

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common type of cardiac arrhythmia. The main characteristic of AF is an abnormally rapid and disordered atrial rhythm causing an atrial dysfunction, which can be visualized on an electrocardiograph (ECG) and distinguished by irregular fluctuations. Despite continuous and considerable efforts to analyze the pathophysiology of AF, it is challenging to determine the underlying pathogenesis of the disease in individual patients. This study aims to build a bridge between ECG and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to probe the strong influence between human brain activity and AF by AI methods. We first found that the one-second data fragment shows the most excellent performance in our time window configuration. Secondly, in our proposed measurement, most cortical potentials were partly associated with AF. Thirdly, we found that only a few channels of data were sufficient for analysis. Finally, our experiment shows δ wave has the best performance compared to other wave bands. By AI methods, the paper contributes to concluding that δ wave band of EEG is the most associated brain wave type with AF. By EEG signals from typical regions, the central region, parietal and Occipital might be the most associated encephalic regions with AF. The clinical trial registration number for our study is ChiCTR2300068625.

The effect of materials used in office building envelope on the capacity and performance of a solar‐assisted cooling heating and power system

AbstractThe calculation of heating and cooling loads to office buildings is different due to the presence of many people and also their activity at certain times of the day. In this research, a model office building is first simulated in Semnan, Iran using Design Builder software. After applying the necessary assumptions about the presence of people and building activation time, the heating and cooling loads of the base sample building are calculated with the specified envelope configuration. In the next step, some changes are applied to the thermal insulation of the envelope and the roof as well as the configuration of the windows. Then, for obtained heating and cooling loads for each case, hybrid solar‐assisted cooling heating and power (CCHP) system are designed. Thus, for different envelope configurations, the best case for the capacity of the power generation unit (PGU), the ratio of PGU‐generated energy to solar energy, and fuel consumption saving of the solar‐assisted CCHP system is determined. Results show that the use of appropriate window configuration and the suitable insulation of the walls and roof can save 24.8% of PGU capacity and 53.48% of fuel consumption in the solar‐assisted CCHP system.

Thermal performance characterization of supply-air double windows: A new guarded hot box protocol and numerical modelization

The window area constitutes a significant part of the façades of heritage buildings in French cities. An effective way to improve window performance as well as preserve the appearance of heritage buildings is to retrofit old single-glazed windows into supply-air double windows by putting a secondary window inside the existing window. For window renovation, the U-value is an important indicator. To accurately identify the U-values (i.e., the Ueq value, Uuse value and Uloss value) of supply-air double windows, a new guarded hot box (GHB) method was firstly proposed which improved the GHB setup and calibration/testing procedure. Based on GHB experiments, the thermal performance of different window configurations was identified and compared. The results showed that U-value reductions were in the range of 59.2%-80.8% by renovating a single-glazed window into a supply-air double window. Moreover, the window U-value was compared to the center-of-glass U-value, which is often used in building codes to simulate building energy consumptions. It was found that the deviations between the window U-value and the center-of-glass U-value were in the range of 21.6%-45.5% for different window configurations. The GHB experimental data were further utilized to validate a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model. Based on the validated model, a parametric study was performed to investigate the impacts of different window configuration parameters on U-values. The results showed that the location of Low-E coating, coating emissivity and air flow rate had significant effects on U-values. In addition, it was found that improving the thermal conductivity performance of the internal window frame was more important than the external window frame.

Optimization of building energy performance through passive design measures in the Mediterranean climate

This paper presents a numerical study combining different passive measures to improve the energy efficiency of a building. These measures include night ventilation and physical design such as building materials, thermal insulation as well as window configuration combined with winter and summer solar shading. The study focuses on a basic classroom prototype that complies with the Algerian buildings. It took the city of Constantine in Algeria as a case study for the warm temperate climate of the Mediterranean regions. The results show that adopting such passive measures reduces the building's energy demand from 67.5 to 15.7 kWh/m2 for heating and from 7.7 to 5.7 kWh/m2 for cooling. This leads to an annual reduction of 53.8 kWh/m2, or an energy saving of 72% per year. Furthermore, CO2 emissions were reduced by 72% passing then from 1772 to 499 kg/year. Thus, a correlative reduction between energy demand and carbon footprint is observed. The economic analysis shows that life cycle costs are influenced by energy prices in different countries and that the profitability of these measures strongly depends on whether these prices are subsidised or not.

Boosting the performance of Zn-air cells by spinel catalysts with bimodal pore structure and gill filament configuration

Spinel oxides with specific morphology are importantly multifunctional materials for various applications. Here we report various morphological spinel oxides with one and two-modal pore size structures. The surface microstructure, phase composition, specific surface areas and electrocatalytic OER/ORR activities are examined. The results reveal that the bicomponent (NiCo2O4 and Co3O4) spinel exhibits a bimodal pore size distribution, high specific surface area, good OER activity (an overpotential of 313 mV at 10 mA cm−2Geo) and low Tafel slope of 73.1 mV dec−1. The Co3O4 component presents a perforated sheet morphology similar to an ancient window configuration with regular hole patterns, which benefits for mass transfer and O2 bubble detachment. By comparison, the single-component NiCo2O4 spinel having the morphology of more open self-assembled nanoneedle spheres or nanorod clusters, similar to the configuration of fish gill filaments, shows better ORR activities. The morphology, similar to the fish gills, can readily capture dissolved oxygen molecules from the film electrolyte at the three-phase interface and improve ORR performance. In addition, calcination temperatures also significantly affect pore structure, surface areas, and electrocatalytic activities. Finally, small Lab size Zn-air cells are assembled using thin flexible air electrodes with the self-assembled nanoneedle NiCo2O4 catalysts. Electrochemical charging-discharging performance and cycling durability are evaluated.

ASSESSMENT OF THE 2016 THERMAL REGULATION FOR AN ALGERIAN BUILDING. CASE STUDY: IMPACT OF WINDOW TYPE, ORIENTATION AND OPENING RATIO ON ENERGY LOAD USING TRNSYS

Statement of the problem. The Algerian building sector is responsible for over 40 % of global final consumption and nearly 35 % of the total CO2 emissions. At the same time the energy demand from buildings continues to rise, for this reason in 2016 the Algerian government launched a new version of thermal regulation for buildings. This regulation replaces the thermal ones of 1997 and 2011 introducing more stringent measurement of thermal insulation in order to decrease the high consumption. Overall, this RT2016 aims at reducing the energy consumption in Algerian buildings. This version imposes the requirements for insulation of the envelope, heating and cooling demand, and windows configuration. The window performance is important to the energy consumption in the building; the façade openings have a great impact of the overall energy consumption. The present research investigates the effect of orientation and façades openness and glazing type on global energy consumption in an Algerian building with a different scenario by using TRNSYS software version 16. A series of simulations has been performed in order to establish the optimal window configuration in terms of area orientation and glazing type. This study aims to address the gap between the requirement in the thermal regulation version and the optimal case through a case study for an Algerian building. Results. The methodology is demonstrated by means of a building case. In the first case we calculated the energy demand for heating and cooling based on the window performance standards in the thermal regulation 2016, in the second one we defined the optimal window by TRNSYS simulation which corresponds to the best window design.

Optimizing Window Configuration Counterbalancing Energy Saving and Indoor Visual Comfort for Sydney Dwellings

Building penetrations are the most-potent elements providing daylight and moderating the lighting energy consumption and affecting indoor comfort and consequent energy usage. In a semi-tropical climate with a green environment such as Sydney, there is a radical demand to extend windows providing views. This research aims to optimize sunlight admission and maintain indoor comfort while minimizing energy consumption. The method for investigation is to simulate a multiobjective optimization using NSGA-II considering visual and thermal comfort along with energy usage and view of the outside. A combination of human and machine assessments responding to manual and microcontroller-operated indoor validating simulation improves the generalizability. The solutions were assessed for local codes compliance and double-checked against statistical sky conditions. Regarding north, a window-to-wall ratio of 10.7–20% delivers an optimum daylight metric, yielding a 12.16% decrease in energy use intensity. For an east-facing window, altering 26.4% of WWR decreases 2% in lighting energy and a provides a drastic change in visual comfort. Regarding west, changing WWR by about 51% brings about a 50% saving in lighting but no change in other energy loads. Regarding south, when window length is limited to 39% envelope width, it delivers the optimum energy consumption. This study covers visual and thermal comfort together with energy usage and view of the outside, which has not been investigated for southern hemisphere dwellings. A combined simulation and field measurement of human and machine assessment justifies the solutions.

How windows size and number can influence the schedulability of hierarchically-scheduled time-partitioned distributed real-time systems

Partitioning techniques are implemented in the development of safety-critical applications to ensure isolation among components. An adequate scheduling of the execution of such partitions is a key challenge so that applications meet the hard deadlines imposed. In this work, we study the effect of different partition window configuration parameters, with the aim of analyzing their impact in the worst-case response times of system tasks. This is the first step in the development of an algorithm for optimizing partition windows in hierarchically-scheduled time partitioned distributed systems.

Investigation and development of an empirical model for transmission loss of acoustic windows in alleviating road traffic noise impact

An Acoustic Window is comprised of a horizontal sliding window at the inner layer, and a side-hung window, which can be pushed to open, on one side of the outer layer, and a fixed glazing on the other side. The glazing of the sliding inner window serves as a “baffle” for screening off the noise passing through the opened outer window when it is slid behind the opened outer window. This baffle-type acoustic window is proved to reduce up to 8 dB(A) road traffic noise and is gaining popularity in residential developments of Hong Kong, particularly for those located in difficult sites in close proximity to heavily trafficked roads. This paper presents the experimental results from a study looking into the acoustical transmission loss of Acoustic Windows with respect to changes in window configuration and setting of line sources. Based on the experimental results, empirical models for noise reduction of Acoustic Windows are developed and investigated to assist quick design of Acoustic Windows for planning residential developments.

EFFECT OF WINDOWS CONFIGURATION IN WALL PANELS ON ROOM TEMPERATURE IN NATURALLY VENTILATED RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN ASABA, NIGERIA

The type of windows configuration in residential building influences the amount of radiation that enters into the interior occupied spaces. The level of comfort or discomfort experienced within the buildings is thus hinged on the type of window configuration in the building facade. There are different window configurations in the study area, and the environmental designers or architects use any of the window type in spite to its implication on thermal comfort aspect of the building. Physical measurements and questionnaire were conducted in naturally ventilated residential buildings, to investigate the effect of window configuration in wall panels on room temperature in naturally ventilated residential buildings in Asaba, Nigeria. The effect of indoor room temperature on occupant thermal comfort was examined. Different window configurations commonly used in residential buildings in the study area are sliding, projected, casement, casement-with-vent, and louvre window. The results show that appropriate window configuration in wall panels can provide comfort level on room temperature. Recommendations were made to improve thermal comfort in residential buildings using window configuration with PMV value of 4.5 or less which are casement with vent, louvre and casement windows in naturally ventilated residential buildings.

Partition window assignment in hierarchically scheduled time-partitioned distributed real-time systems with multipath flows

Time and space partitioning techniques are implemented in the development of safety-critical applications to ensure isolation among components. A suitable arrangement of the execution of such partitions is a key challenge so that applications meet the timing requirements imposed to software. In this work, the effect of window sizes and context switch overheads in the partition window configuration is studied, with the aim of analyzing their impact when the response-time analysis and priority assignment techniques are applied. Then, a heuristic algorithm is proposed, in order to obtain a partition window configuration that enables the schedulability of partition-based safety critical systems. This algorithm is evaluated in synthetic test scenarios and it is also applied to a safety-critical use-case in the railway domain.

Tailoring Hybrid Aluminoborate Frameworks by Incorporating Multicomponent Cadmium-Amine Complexes with Various Conformations.

Inorganic-organic hybrid aluminoborates represent a subclass of porous materials, which rely on effective construction method and structure-directing agents. Herein, we prepared a series of hybrid aluminoborates through covalent decoration of unsaturated Cd2+ complexes, whose formation take advantage of chelating amine and long-chain diamine as mixed ligands. These isolated compounds, that is, [Cd(en)(1,4-dab)0.5][AlB5O10] (1a; its analogue with discrete complex [Cd(en)(dien)H2O][AlB5O10] is denoted as 1b), [Cd(1,2-dap)1.5(1,4-dabH)0.5]{Al[B5O8(OH)2](B5O10)0.5} (2), and [Cd(en)(1,3-dap)][AlB5O10] (3) feature open frameworks (1a, 1b, and 3) or a sandwich-like porous layer (2) that are constructed by AlO4 tetrahedra and [B5O10]5-/[B5O8(OH)2]3- clusters. However, they exhibit different structural features in interconnection, channel environment, and topology as a result of diversified interactions between unsaturated complexes and aluminoborate frameworks, that is, through forming two Cd-O bonds with (i) a pair of neighboring BO3 and AlO4, (ii) the same AlO4, or (iii) the same BO3. The variation in connection mode exerts essential influence on binding effects and steric hindrance that are reflected by changes in interatomic distance, bond angle, window configuration, and interlinkage of units. In addition, the incorporation of unsaturated Cd2+ complexes endows these aluminoborate materials with photoluminescence function. Compound 3 with a noncentrosymmetric structure exhibits second harmonic generation (SHG) response approximately 0.7 times that of KDP. The preparation strategy for hybrid aluminoborates proposed here combines well molecular design with templating assembly, whose synergistic effect would be crucial for drawing a rational pathway for inorganic synthesis, especially with focus on structural and functional innovation.

Building energy analysis using EC and PDLC based smart switchable window in Oman

Worldwide energy consumption and CO2 emissions increase yearly and the building industry contributes the most out of all the other sectors. The residential building sector of the building industry provides the largest portion of energy consumption. Reducing energy gains through elements of the building envelope such as windows is a way to combat increasing energy consumption. Smart switchable glazing can contribute to energy savings by adjusting its properties in response to user settings or an external stimulus. This study explored the potential energy savings of electrochromic (EC) and polymer disperse liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable glazing against common static window glazing for a residential building in Oman. The results showed that switchable windows displayed better optical properties than static windows, with electrochromic windows under daylight illuminance control having the highest total energy savings at 23.56% reduction compared to a single-glaze window. In a PDLC window configuration, using silver coated glass as the inner pane in the double glazing reduces energy consumption even further.

Thermo-kinetic modelling of the acidic leaching of anorthosite: Key learnings toward the conception of a sustainable industrial process

• Specific ion Interaction Theory model can suitably describe the electrolyte solution. • Geochemical simulation gives conditions for Al 3+ extraction & SiO 2 (am) precipitation. • Gudvangen anorthosite dissolution proves to proceed in chemical reaction regime. • Kinetic model helps refining process parameters (incl. particle size distribution). • The counter-current configuration can outperform the batch performance. The world is facing critical technological and environmental challenges in the production of basic materials in high demand, such as aluminium and silica, whose processes were developed long ago. New production routes, involving using alternative resources and innovative technological solutions, are needed to secure access to these base materials at a lower cost to the environment, in terms of waste and carbon footprint. The European project AlSiCal is currently investigatingan environmentally friendly multi-step process for producing alumina and silica from anorthosite, an abundant feldspar mineral. The present paper focuses on the modelling strategy of the dissolution of anorthosite in concentrated hydrochloric acid, which is the first step of the AlSiCal process. The objectives of this study are (i) to give a reliable first-level prediction of the product speciation in the aqueous and solid phases, (ii) to provide the sensitivity of the process to key operating variables, and finally, (iii) to evaluate the performance of both batch and continuous leaching processes. The proposed methodology is based on the coupling of geochemical equilibrium simulations and particle reaction models, using different computational tools and relevant literature data. This makes it possible to select the favourable operation window and process configuration for the quantitative extraction of aluminium in solution and the production of amorphous silica with an acceptable purity for large-market applications.