Window Frame Research Articles

Hysteretic mapping and corridor semantic modeling using mobile LiDAR systems

Point clouds registration and semantic segmentation are two closely linked steps to build geometrically-accurate and semantically-rich 3D maps. They not only are the fundamental work in surveying and mapping tasks, but also contribute infrastructure to many downstream applications such as navigation and augmented reality. This paper addresses mapping and modeling indoor environments using mobile LiDAR systems (MLSs). We refer a scan or a laser scan to a single 360° sweep of a mobile laser scanner. Due to the inhomogeneous density of mobile laser scans, most existing simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approaches suffer from unequally distributed feature points, which consequently leads to the odometry and mapping drift. To resolve this problem, we propose a novel mobile mapping framework, coined the hyteretic mapping. Essentially, we innovatively introduce a feature equalizer that seeks to balance the inhomogeneous feature points of buffered scans in a sliding window and make them uniformly distributed to the best possible extent. The feature points after equalization are more friendly to the feature-to-map registration process, so that the overall odometry and mapping drift can be alleviated. Moreover, we design a self-supervised motion prior generator network. This network consumes images of point clouds after spherical projection, and the single-track inference will directly provide an initial guess for the registration process. Finally, the point cloud map generated by the MLS is further segmented with information of interest. During semantic segmentation, we combine the existing method with two well-designed prior-information based modules to obtain more excellent performance.Extensive experiments were conducted on four aspects: mapping accuracy, trajectory correctness, study of different motion priors, and semantic modeling performance. In the MIMAP dataset, the proposed feature equalizer reduced the absolute mapping error by 35.6% from 5.51 cm (baseline) to 3.56 cm. In the NTU VIRAL dataset, we validated the motion prior generator and compared it with other three kinematic models. It helped our method achieve a 6.19 cm trajectory error which outperformed the state-of-the-art LiDAR-only and multi-sensorial fusion SLAM methods. The dataset for evaluating our semantic modeling method was acquired by the above mobile mapping method. It contained 100 training scenes with six common categories: floor, ceiling, wall, office door, escape sign, and window frame. Evaluation showed that the average mIoU of our method is about 7.1% higher than that of the baseline method. In addition to the public datasets of MIMAP and NTU VIRAL, our self-logged dataset, sample results and benchmark kits are also made publicly availble at https://github.com/chenpengxin/hysteretic_mapping.

A comparison of ground-based hyperspectral imaging and red-edge multispectral imaging for façade material classification

This paper compares the feasibility of classifying building façade materials in situ via a low-cost multispectral imaging camera with 5 bands compared to a high-cost, short-wave infrared hyperspectral unit with 240 bands. The sensors were used to classify five common façade materials: brick, mortar, stone, painted window frames, and rendering. The data were subjected to a Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis by selecting 95 training pixels and 65 validation pixels for each material. Across all materials, the hyperspectral imaging demonstrated a moderate advantage over multispectral imaging (with a correct classification rate of 99% versus 80%) for the selected data and stronger qualitative matching to the entire façade. While the hyperspectral data were consistently superior, the multispectral data still produced valuable results, thereby demonstrating potential as a fast, easy, and much cheaper technology compared to hyperspectral units for in situ façade materials classification.

Ecopump: a novel thermoelectric heat pump/heat recovery ventilator system for domestic building applications

Abstract In recent years, there has been a risen interest in heat recovery systems for building applications due to concerns about the energy crisis and global climate change. In this paper, the intention to understand the performance of a window thermoelectric heat pump/heat recovery system (Ecopump) for heating has been developed. An overview to the prototype design, heat transfer model, experimental parameters and environmental feasibility is discussed. The variation of MATLAB modelling results followed the same regularity as the experimental results. The MATLAB model along with Revit has been used to simulate the Ecopump’s performance when installed in a sustainable house in the UK. From the calculation, Ecopump can provide 670 kWh heating energy and reduce 90.6 kg CO2 emissions per year. The proposed Ecopump system combined with window frame could be a promising technology to enhance space heating for domestic buildings while reducing energy consumption during daily ventilation. Further in situ experiments should be conducted to explore its comprehensive performance in the future.

Influence of co-combustion of unsuitable fuels with standardized fuels in households on CO, OGC, PM, and PAH emissions.

Waste combustion in residential small-scale combustion units is not legal in the Czech Republic or other European Union countries. The resulting gaseous and particulate pollutants expose inhabitants to smells and toxic compounds and may damage their property and health. This study is designed to define the emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants and determine the influence of municipal waste combustion on emission factors. Different types of solid fuels, municipal wood wastes (window frames, furniture chipboard), and mixtures of solid fuels with municipal wastes (namely, textiles, plastics, PET briquettes comprising a mixture of PET bottles + wood pellets + frying oil, paper, and floor coverings) were combusted in residential combustion units (such as gasification boiler, boiler with down-draft combustion, overfire boiler, and stove). Studies describing such an extensive range of waste samples combusted in different small-scale combustion units have not yet been published. Emission factors (EFs) for products of incomplete combustion (carbon monoxide (CO), organic gaseous compounds (OGC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in gaseous and particulate phases) and particulate matter (PM) were within narrow intervalsand lowest for standardized wood fuel (dry wood logs only) and 2-4 times higher on average for unsuitable coal samples (coal unsuitable for the particular boiler type used and coal combined with waste), for which values fell within broad intervals.The EFs of pollutants resulting from incomplete combustion (CO, OGC, and 16 PAHtotal) and PM were lowest for standardized wood fuel (dry wood logs only) and almost two or four times higher on average for unsuitable coal fuels (coal unsuitable for the particular boiler type used and coal combined with waste).

Thermal resistance of framed windows: Experimental study on the influence of frame shading width

The presented experimental work investigates the performance of window glass panes exposed to radiant heat flux. Such performance is of interest, as the cracking and fallout of window glass panes during a fire strongly influences the fire duration and thereby the structural response and the safety of fire brigades and rescue services.This study focuses mainly on investigating the influence of shading width on monolithic glass panes exposed to different radiation levels. The investigated shading widths and radiation levels were selected from a literature survey and commonly found shading widths used in domestic windows. In the study, 39 experiments were conducted on 400 × 400 × 4 mm monolithic float glass specimens set up in a window frame replica and irradiated by a gas-driven burner until cracking was observed. Three different radiation levels (5, 10, and 15 kW/m2) were investigated with four different shading widths (10, 15, 20, and 25 mm).The results suggest that the shading width influences the time at which glass failure occurs at low radiation levels. However, for radiation levels of 10 and 15 kW/m2, the shading width became insignificant due to the rapid increase in temperature gradients. The onset of failure by cracking was less than a minute for radiation levels of 15 kW/m2. The results also indicated that a wider shading width influences the temperature difference between the exposed and shaded parts of the glass at the time of the failure so that a wider shading results in a slightly higher temperature gradient.

Ceresana publishes fifth global market research for stabilizers

Plastics have many enemies, but sunlight and oxygen are among the worst. Polymers must be protected against oxidation, UV rays, and heat with stabilizers. Without stabilizing chemicals, window frames, cables and many other plastic or rubber products could not survive for a long time, and often could not even be manufactured. Market research specialist Ceresana has investigated the global market for these essential additives for the fifth time. Market researchers expect revenues from stabilizers for plastics and elastomers to grow to USD 6.7 billion annually by 2030.

Impact of coating and indoor relative humidity on the deformation characteristics of the timber hybrid window frame

While the timber hybrid window is regarded as an alternative type of window for its durability and environmental benefits, moisture-related concerns caused by improper indoor humidity management in airtight buildings still remain. The long-term moisture performance of coated and non-coated timber hybrid window frames was evaluated through cyclic humidity tests of (90 and 30) % relative humidity in laboratory settings. During tests, the average shrinkage rate of the frame with coatings was 54.5% that of the frame without coating. The results show significantly reduced surface defects and improved dimensional stability on the coated frame.

Selection of the Optimal Window Type and Orientation for the Two Cities in Serbia and One in Slovakia

The necessity of having windows on any building’s façade is not questionable. However, not every window is suitable for any building. The selection of an adequate window must include the analysis of various factors—the most important ones are the type of window (e.g., single or double glazing); filling gas in cavities (e.g., air, argon or some other gas); and placing, i.e., orientation of a window on a façade (facing north, south, or east, etc.). The research presented in this paper is dealing with the calculation of the window thermal loading for the cities of Kragujevac and Bor in Serbia and Žilina in Slovakia. These three cities were selected because they belong to different climate regions, according to the Köppen–Geiger climatic classification. The first two cities in Serbia belong to the same region Cf with difference only in the category of summer—Kragujevac Cfa and Bor Cfb—while the third city—Žilina in Slovakia—belongs to the Dfb region. The calculated thermal loading through the window was obtained as a sum of the thermal loading due to the heat conduction and thermal loading due to the solar radiation. The objective was to find the optimal window construction and orientation of a building’s façade for each of these cities, by varying the type of the window, its frame material and the filling gas. The results show that for the first two cities in Serbia, there is a difference in the window frame material in the optimal window construction, while for the third city (Žilina in Slovakia), the results are the same as for the second city (Bor in Serbia) despite the fact that they belong to different climate regions (Cfb and Dfb, respectively). These results support the fact that the climate affects the optimal window construction for any city/region in the world.

A Luxurious Royal Estate from the First Temple Period in Armon ha-Natziv, Jerusalem

In a recent excavation at Armon ha-Natziv, overlooking ancient Jerusalem, remains were uncovered of a royal estate from the second half of the 7th century BCE. Although the site had been dismantled and it appears that only a small portion of it has been exposed to date, there are several indications of its former grandeur. The excavations exposed three complete medium-sized decorated volute capitals, beautifully carved and excellently preserved. Dozens of fragments of adorned architectural elements were exposed nearby; they can be restored to compose a window frame with an ornamented balustrade of miniature pillars capped with decorated volute capitals. Together with fragments of ashlars bearing traces of paint, they all appear to originate from a luxurious palace or villa. A rock-cut latrine with a seat—a marker of wealth in antiquity—was uncovered above a septic pit; microscopic examination detected parasite eggs from the digestive system, along with pollen from a variety of plants that grew on the grounds. This article examines the status of this unique site among the other Judahite sites in the region, in which contemporaneous monumental architectural finds indicate an administrative or government-oriented status.

The paradox of the circular economy in the raw materials industry

Circular economy has, in the case of some raw materials, its own drawbacks. The principle states that reuse is basic to reduce primary production, thus in a healthy circular economy we should recycle as many elaborated raw materials as possible (in the case of aluminium i.e., tins, window frames, etc). The new products from these sources will then cost less and it appears as if growth could be unlimited as we recycle residues and produce new resources. And statistics should then show that thanks to the new supply from recycling, we will need less raw materials. We are now confronted with the facts that were anticipated by Jevons paradox: an improved efficiency will lower the price of the commodity and because of this; instead of a reduction we see a clear increase in the use of the resource.

Robust Traffic Sign Recognition Against Camera Failures

Failures of the vehicle camera may compromise the correct acquisition of frames, that are subsequently used by autonomous driving tasks. A clear understanding of the behavior of the autonomous driving tasks under such failure conditions, together with strategies to avoid safety is jeopardized, are indeed necessary. This study analyses and improve the performance of Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) systems for road vehicles under the possible occurrence of camera failures. Our experimental assessment relies on three public datasets, which are commonly used for benchmarking TSR systems. We artificially inject 13 different types of camera failures into the three datasets. Then, we exploit three deep neural networks (DNNs) to classify either a single frame of a traffic sign or a sequence (i.e., a sliding window) of frames. We show that sliding windows significantly improves the robustness of the classifier against altered frames. We confirm our observations through explainable AI, which allows understanding why different classifiers have different performance in case of camera failures.

An Innovative Single Shot Power Quality Disturbance Detector Algorithm

Power Quality Disturbances (PQD) have affected many people due to the growing number of electronic nonlinear loads and because of the significant increase of renewable sources connected to the grid. Previous works have shown the development of algorithms to detect and classify these disturbances. A thorough review of PQD detector algorithms pointed out the use of machine learning and deep learning algorithms as the most used, accurate and up-to-date approaches to deal with this problem. Up until now, these algorithms were used in a sliding window manner that often fail to identify more than one disturbance in a single window frame. In this work, an innovative architecture called Single Shot Power Quality Disturbance Detection (SSPQDD) has been developed to solve this problem. Several experiments were conducted using a simulation dataset in order to validate the performances of the proposed SSPQDD in comparison with other algorithms available in literature in terms of computational resources, accuracy of identification and number of layers. Furthermore, an experimental testbench has been carried out to test the performances of SSPQDD using real measurement data in case of multiple disturbances in a single window frame. The overall accuracy obtained using the proposed SSPQDD was 96.55% in PQD detection.

Detection of Violent Behavior Using Neural Networks and Pose Estimation

Regarding safety and security, felonies and crimes with physical violence remain a significant problem worldwide. Some solutions for pedestrian safety are guards, police car patrolling, sensors, and security cameras. Nonetheless, these methods react only when the crime takes place. In the worst cases, the damage may be irreversible when it has already occurred. Therefore, numerous methods based on Artificial Intelligence have been proposed to solve this problem. Many approaches to detect violent behavior and action recognition rely on 3D convolutional neural networks (3D-CNNs), spatio-temporal models, long short-term memory networks, pose estimation, among other implementations. However, these approaches work in a limited fashion and have not been adapted to uncontrolled environments. Thus, a significant contribution from this work is the development of an innovative solution model capable of detecting violent behavior. This approach focuses on pedestrian detection, tracking, pose estimation, and neural networks to predict pedestrian behavior in video frames. Our proposal uses a time window frame to extract joint angles, given by the pose estimation algorithm, as features for classifying behavior. Another significant contribution of this work is the creation of a new database, Kranok-NV, with a total of 3,683 normal and violent videos. This database was used to train and test the solution model. For the evaluation, we designed a protocol using 10-fold cross-validation. We obtained an accuracy slightly above 98% on the Kranok-NV database with the implemented solution model. Although the proposed solution model detects violent and normal behavior, it can be easily extended to classify other types of behavior.

Fast-Fourier-Transform Enhanced Progressive Singular-Value-Decomposition Algorithm in Double Diagnostic Window Frame for Weak Arc Fault Detection

In this study, a novel method that progressively applies the fastest form of singular-value decomposition (SVD) to extract nonperiodic arc-fault features is proposed in order to pursue a competent solution for AC weak arc fault detection. First, bus-current signals of the normal state and the arc-fault state are collected and normalized before being processed by progressive SVD (PSVD) to detect the discrepancy brought by comparatively stronger arc-fault nonperiodic components expressed in singular values. To provide a more comprehensive feature extraction for an enhanced accuracy, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) is incorporated for accumulating periodic variations caused by arc faults. Because weak arc faults are difficult to distinguish from normal signals when they start, a double diagnostic window frame (DDWF) is designed to reduce false negative errors. The effectiveness of each partial design of the method is verified by experiments with numerous load types and current amplitudes conducted on an industrial experimental platform. The proposed PSVD-FFT algorithm has achieved a satisfactory and consistent performance measured by both the detection accuracy and diagnosis time in all of the experiments. The proposed method is on average at least 10% more accurate than the selected methods for a parallel comparison (in total more than a thousand experimental cases), with a satisfactory range of execution time.

Effect of chemical modification and heat treatment on biological durability and dimensional stability of Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

Background: Depleting supplies of wood species with inherent natural durability has resulted in the focus being shifted to non-durable plantation grown and imported timber. Despite its abundant availability and better treatability, the use of Pinus roxburghii is limited to packing cases, crates, shutters, door and window frame, carpentry and joinery items due to its nondurable nature. Hence, to promote use of such timber for applications such as decking, cladding and facade elements chemical modification with a combination of citric acid and sodium hypophosphite, and heat treatment were explored to improve its service life. Methods: Chemical modification was performed using a water solution of citric acid (6.9%) and sodium hypophosphite (6.5%) followed by curing at 140°C for 8 hrs. Dimensional stability was determined by estimating the volumetric swelling coefficient and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) of treated and control samples. Durability against fungus and termites was evaluated using a soil block bioassay and termite mound test as per standard methods. Results: Both chemical modification and heat treatment of P. roxburghii resulted in enhanced dimensional stability and biological durability compared to the untreated controls. Chemical modification and heat treatment resulted in 23.05% and 18.37% volumetric ASE, respectively. Results showed that a highly perishable species became significantly more durable after chemical modification, exhibiting 5–6 times less mass loss by termites in comparison to the controls. Wood samples modified with citric acid showed excellent resistance to both white and brown rot fungi and exhibited 14-15 times less reduction in mass compared with untreated samples. Conclusions: Citric acid chemical modification is an environment friendly process that improved the dimensional stability as well as resistance against biodegradation. These studies may provide valuable inputs to establish this mode of chemical modification as a cost-effective alternative to other chemicals for wood preservation. The concentrations of the chemicals and temperature for fixation may be varied to establish an optimum combination for best output.

The Limits of Looking: Conceptualising the Frame in Ann Quin’s Berg and Christine Brooke-Rose’s O

This article will consider the motif of the frame — conceived of as a device which isolates and presents that which falls within its bounds — in two experimental British post-war novels (Christine Brooke-Rose’s Out and Ann Quin’s Berg, both published in 1964) as a means of drawing parallels between experimental literature and conceptual art in Britain during the 1960s. I argue that Brooke-Rose and Quin develop a heightened interest in visuality in the 60s, which, in the early works examined here manifests as a thematization of vision, and in later works provokes more overt visual experiments with typography and illustration. These novelistic experiments with visual technique take place within a wider context of increasing interdisciplinarity within art forms over the course of the 60s and 70s, which a cross-investigation of visual arts and literary experimentation helps to reveal. Quin’s Berg and Brooke-Rose’s Out form a complementary pair in terms of thinking through issues of presentation and representation. Berg — with its egocentric protagonist and the window frame through which he views the outside world — calls up associations with single-point perspective, the development of this perspectival technique in the history of painting (especially the fact that the technique was historically reserved for ‘important’ figures like kings). Out’s fractured, multi-perspectival narrative, on the other hand, resonates with cubist art and contemporary developments in cinematic editing (the techniques of the French New Wave), presenting a ‘natural’ frame formed by the overlapping branches of trees, underlining the text’s interest in visual patterning and complexity. Using Phillip King’s Window Piece (1961) as my main example from the visual arts, I discuss the reconceptualization of the frame by the experimental writers and artists of the period, looking forward slightly to Jacques Derrida’s conception of the frame in The Truth in Painting (1978), which signals a loss of faith in intellectual and disciplinary mastery. Derrida’s writing ‘around’ Art — with connotations of both enclosure and obliqueness — and his purposefully perforated frame which does not seem designed to contain anything, are akin to Quin’s and Brooke-Rose’s novels, whose frame motifs — rather than containing the images they are presenting — serve to problematise the idea of strict boundaries, borders, and in a more abstract sense, of remaining within presupposed categories of definition in general. As such, the novels end up enacting a sort of theory of their own, a theory of limits with bearing on both aesthetic and social contexts within their narratives.

The flyash addition on Al 5xxx series alloys prepared by die cast and examine its surface by radiographic method

Al 6063 is silicon/magnesium based 5 series alloy which is having more heat capacity, able to withstand in high temperature and also good surface finish. It has wide applications such as making of window frames, roof designs etc. Aluminum alloy 6063 was made with suitable bearings of strong power of tension and extreme molding ablity.it will have more mechanical properties while adding reinforcements like Titanium carbide, silicon oxide, Flyash and aluminum oxide etc. in this research work, AA 6063 reinforced with flyash particle that was produced by sand and die casting techniques with and without heat treatment. The metal matrix composites structural behavior has been examined with support of NDT and DT approaches. The results of the inspection reveals that die casting samples which contributing well in structure and bondage of aluminum alloy with flyash at high level when it was a comparison of sand casting. Finally the hardness (49 HV) and impact strength (8 J) are very high on die casting along heat treated.

Leptinito gneiss: The heritage stone of the old town, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This paper presents a significant heritage stone of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), the Leptinito gneiss, the oldest masonry stone of the city, occurring close to the heart of the urban tissue. It is a Neoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic rock crystallized and deformed during the tectonic events of the Gondwana amalgamation. Light coloured, homogeneous and often dotted with garnet crystals, it was easier to work and carve than others that also occurred nearby. Colonial architectural remains, from the 17th century onwards, always have Leptinito gneiss door and window frames and cornerstones. Most of those buildings are part of Unesco's World Heritage of Rio de Janeiro. It was intensively quarried up to the first half of the 20th century. The environmental conditions of Rio, a tropical, humid coastal and polluted city, combined with the society's lack of knowledge about this significant building stone, have led to severe forms of degradation. Spalling, cracking, loss of mass and biological colonization are very frequent. In general, conservation practices regarding the Leptinito gneiss are based on pragmatical experience and have been unable to detain the progression of its decay. This paper aims to disseminate the geological characteristics of Leptinito gneiss at macro and micro-scale, its technological properties as a building material, the degradation patterns observed in many monuments and some insights into its behaviour against the external agents. Its sole outcrops stand on the Tijuca Nacional Park, and the only possibility to conserve the national heritage is to apply compatible conservation/restoration techniques and find compatible lithotypes.

Energy simulation and modeling for window system: A comparative study of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing

The impact of the window system on building thermal performance is considerably complicated. It depends upon several interactive design factors and climatic diversity. Unfortunately, there is a lack of comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) involving operational thermal efficiency with embodied production. Yet upgrading the thermal efficiency of windows and cost of energy savings should be justified from the additional investment cost. Therefore, the study presents a holistic approach for optimizing the windows system integrating operational efficiency with comprehensive LCA and life cycle costing (LCC). The study employed energy simulation software FirstRate5 over a range of energy-efficient windows to assess potential design variables for energy expenditure. Performed simulations illustrate the dominance of façade insulation (R) above glazing in reducing energy consumption, roughly 87% of the cumulative reduction. However, the provision of a zero window is not an optimum solution for permitting daylight and fresh air. Thus, an analytical framework has been proposed for glazing to ensure thermal efficiency, lower embodied impacts, and cost-effectiveness. The resulting Pearson coefficient (r) shows a relatively higher thermal conductivity (Uw = 0.39) correlation with energy consumptions in a colder climate than hot- and warm-temperate environments. Thousands of simulations have been performed to generate data for developing linear regression models. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations have been conducted to validate the uncertainties of developed models. LCC analysis specifies the provision of glazing 40–68% of the window to wall ratio (WWR) feasible for optimal trade-offs. BIM-enabled LCA (Tally) identifies embodied environmental impacts for Aluminium, Timber, Fiberglass, uPVC, and Composite frame windows following the ISO 14040–14044 standards. Comparative analysis of different framed windows shows the suitability of using uPVC windows over others due to less cost, thermal efficiency, fewer environmental impacts, recycling possessions, and less energy demand at the manufacturing stage.

ANALISIS KEKUATAN PATAH DAN DAYA SERAP AIR PAPAN KOMBINASI SERAT DENGAN LAMINASI BAMBU BETUNG (Dendrocalamus asper)

The problem faced by the wood processing industry in Indonesia today is the shortage of wood raw materials. This occurs because the speed at which timber is used is not balance with the speed at which new stands are build. Meanwhile, the need for wood for furniture, building materials and other needs continues to increase in line with population growth. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative raw materials for the wood processing industry. Bamboo is one material that can be use for this purpose. Bamboo is a long fiber and has advantages in terms of the harvest period, namely within 3-4 years it can be harvested, shorter than 8-20 years for fast-growing timber species. In this research, a combination of fiber and laminate boards with epoxy adhesive. The material used is the type of betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) and then tested on the combination of fiber and laminated bamboo boards there are 3 tests, namely fracture strength, absorption capacity and density. The results of this research indicate that from the treatment of 255g adhesive and 127.5g of fiber has a higher average compared to 127.5g of adhesive and 255g of fiber. From the test results, the combination of fiberboards and laminate boards as HDF (Hard Dencity Fiberboard) classified which can be used for materials for making adhesive walls, ceilings, pinyi and containers. However, in contrast to the 127.5g adhesive and 255g fiber treatment included in the MDF (Medium Dencity fiberboard) classification, furniture such as household appliances, molding, window frames, door skins and car dashboards are used.