Papers by Keyword: Thermal Comfort

Abstract: In this study, a comparative thermal performance analysis was conducted on three roof configurations under the hot climate of Iraq/Basra to evaluate their potential contribution to Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) objectives. The first two models incorporated Phase Change Materials (PCM) with different melting points (24°C and 29°C) arranged in varying sequences, while the third model represented a traditional roof with EPS insulation and concrete. Annual simulations using Design Builder program assessed the impact of PCM layer arrangements on indoor thermal regulation and cooling energy demand reduction. Results demonstrated that the PCM-based roofs significantly reduced indoor temperature fluctuations compared to the traditional roof, directly translating to substantial reductions in cooling energy requirements a critical factor for nZEB feasibility in hot regions. The configuration with PCM29 on top followed by PCM24 proved most effective, consistently maintaining indoor temperatures within a narrower and more comfortable range with daily averages 32.7°C, thereby minimizing the need for active cooling. In stark contrast, the traditional roof exhibited higher variability with peaks exceeding 42°C, indicating significantly greater cooling loads. These findings highlight that strategic optimization of PCM layer arrangement in roofs is a highly effective passive cooling strategy. This approach not only enhances occupant comfort but also dramatically reduces building cooling energy consumption, representing a vital step towards achieving nearly zero energy building performance in energy-intensive arid climates.

Abstract: More energy-efficient buildings have a significant impact on reducing energy consumption, as they provide thermal comfort to their occupants with lower electricity usage. Aligned with the interpretation of thermal performance, this article analyzes the results of a thermo-energy performance simulation of a residential building located in different bioclimatic zones, Pelotas/RS (BZ2) and Cuiabá (BZ7). For the simulation, the EnergyPlus software was used, varying the configuration of the building's windows, including electrochromic film, double glass, and common glass. The energy consumption results were analyzed, and finally, the thermal comfort of each model was evaluated using the adaptive method of ASHRAE 55 (2017), with the aim of assisting in the design and construction of residential buildings that are truly suitable and adapted to the climate. After conducting the simulations, it was possible to conclude that the use of electrochromic film led to the greatest reduction in energy consumption in both Zones, by 1.8% in BZ2 and 13.9% in BZ7, with an increase in thermal comfort in both simulated cases, showing better results in BZ7, a region with a hot climate.

Abstract: The study aims to investigate convective heat transfer in multi-story buildings in Metro Manila and its impact on residents' thermal comfort. The increasing demand for residential construction in Metro Manila has resulted in a higher concentration of buildings and paved surfaces, which exacerbate the city's hot and humid climate. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to convective heat transfer, such as building design, insulation, and ventilation, and assess their impact on energy consumption and indoor air quality. The research will provide insights into effective strategies for reducing energy consumption and improving indoor temperature conditions, resulting in more comfortable and sustainable living environments for residents.

Abstract: Airborne transmission of pathogens, particularly through respiratory droplets and aerosols, poses a significant risk to human health and contributes to the spread of infectious respiratory disorders. Urbanization and population increase are frequently linked to rising energy consumption and the use of natural resources like fossil fuels, which harms the ecology. Solar and geothermal energy are examples of renewable energy sources that provide options that can help with environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy-efficient thermal comfort solutions. Adequate ventilation plays a crucial role in mitigating this risk and safeguarding human well-being. Previous studies have examined the importance of ventilation in airborne infection control, emphasizing its impact on indoor air quality. This paper aims to comprehensively review various control measures for enhancing indoor air quality, taking into account relevant influencing parameters. Additionally, the study explores sustainable solutions that can contribute to the long-term prevention of declining air quality and mitigate the potential impact of future biological threats on human health. A thorough literature study evaluates the performance of protected zone ventilation in reducing the risk associated with respiratory droplets and aerosols generated by infected individuals in different confined spaces. The findings highlight the significance of guideline recommendations to prevent airborne transmission of infections and offer a concise overview of enhanced ventilation strategies for improving indoor air quality, particularly in air-conditioned environments. The results of this review contribute to a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of protected zone ventilation in reducing the spread of respiratory pathogens. Moreover, they provide insights into the importance of maintaining optimal indoor air quality through appropriate ventilation measures. The implications of this research are crucial for developing evidence-based guidelines and strategies that can mitigate the impact of airborne transmission and foster healthier indoor environments.

Abstract: The vertical growth of cities is a general phenomenon in many countries, aiming to address a more efficient use of space, due to the high cost of the urban area. In the Dominican Republic, approximately 11% of households are apartment buildings, being the second predominant group of residential buildings. According to the National Statistics Office (ONE), the construction of this type of residential buildings is growing significantly, especially in the biggest city of the country. This research has analyzed the interior thermal behavior of these types of households using DesignBuilder®, an energy and environmental simulation software, searching for passive alternatives to allow the reduction of interior temperatures, as a result of overheating because of the tropical climate conditions. The most common type of four levels buildings have been analyzed in this study, through the evaluation of different parameters, such as the optimal orientation, the effect of using sunshades in the windows, and the modification of the building envelope. The objective of the study if to identifying the best alternatives to achieve the thermal comfort of the building, without the use of active control climate techniques such as air conditioning.

Abstract: The expansion of the urban population has contributed to the formation of urban agglomerates; whose spatial morphology favors the formation of heat islands. The installation of Green Roofs (GR) is a strategy that can be applied to mitigate the effects of this phenomenon, especially in regions lacking vegetation cover. The objective of this paper is to evaluate, through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the potential to reduce the internal temperature of a building located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The temperatures of the inner surface of the roof were measured in two buildings, one with GR and one without GR. This information was used as input data into Solidworks software to simulate the heat distribution inside the building. Results indicated that the temperature was reduced by about 2°C in the building with GR, proving the technology's effectiveness, notably in the hottest months of the year.

Abstract: Climate change is one of the most debated issues today around the world, given its global impact. The construction industry in the European Union (EU) accounts for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the continuous improvement of energy efficiency in buildings plays a key role in achieving the carbon neutrality goal by 2050. At a time when the irreversible point of global warming may have already been reached, change becomes urgent, with one of the solutions being the use of renewable energies. Among renewable energies, solar is considered not only one of the most promising ones but also one of the energies with the greatest potential growth. The accelerated use of solar PV allows a reduction of carbon dioxide of approximately 4.9 gigatonnes. In the last decades, solar panels presented a great improvement in their efficiency and power output over and, in addition to the production of electricity, their heat can also be harnessed. Therefore, the objective of this work is to study a photovoltaic panel solution in which the heat produced indirectly by it contribution to the heating of a house and, consequently, to thermal comfort. In this work, it was analysed the feasibility of a PV solution that intends to take advantage of the hot air, indirectly produced by it, for subsequent heating of a house. Numerical simulations were performed using Ansys^® Fluent, Release 18.1, software and considering a 3D model of a house with PV panels installed in the roof. The results showed the solution under study is not feasible in winter, since solar radiation is not enough for heating using this contribution. However, this solution, although not avoiding the use of other heating means, can help in heating, contributing to the reduction of some needs.

Abstract: Giving comfort to the wearer without feeling physiologically and psychologically by the wearer, assuming the role of thermoregulation system against environmental temperature changes, and making them psychologically happy with their appearance and attitude characteristics makes it easier to adapt to the environment in which they live. Since all these functions of garments are generally defined as ‘clothing comfort' and aim to increase the living standards of people, the studies carried out to measure clothing comfort in the most realistic way are of great importance both academically and sectorial. In this study, it is planned to carry out the thermal mannequin system that can act to objectively evaluate together with the important parameters of thermal, humidity and pressure comfort, which are the most important criteria in determining the clothing choice of consumers, that can provide measurement in different ambient conditions, and that allows instantaneous measurements of temperature, humidity and pressure. Within this plan, a practical mannequin system has been designed for thermal, humidity and pressure comfort measurements and will allow measuring and evaluating many features at the same time. The thermal mannequin system will be produced with practical and reconfigurable 3D printing technology, which allows re-production, unlike the thermal mannequin mechanisms in the literature.

Abstract: Earthen building materials are a critical future for sustainable construction because they are locally available, minimally processed, and waste-free. However, despite their advantages, earthen materials still face challenges for comprehensive implementation. First, their technical data vary significantly, making it challenging to quantify their true performance for different climates and environmental contexts. Second, people mistakenly perceive these materials as low-tech and poor in their performance. Lastly, building codes and standards do not comprehensively represent these materials worldwide. This work identifies perceptual barriers that hold back the broader implementation of earthen materials in order to ascertain possible solutions and assess the performance of earthen buildings and perceived comfort among primary resources such as practicing professionals and people who live in earthen houses. The results of an online survey of 126 earthen building experts and homeowners are presented, providing important insights regarding a range of barriers to, and motivating factors for, the implementation of earthen materials, as well as design and thermal performance aspects of existing earthen homes. The results of the surveys show that, of the various earthen building techniques, light straw clay requires the lowest maintenance, and construction of adobe and/or clay plaster encountered the least barriers to implementation. The energy performance of existing earthen homes show that all types of earthen materials reduce the need for cooling, in all climate zones. Insulation over earthen walls was shown to increase occupants’ perceived comfort levels, but only slightly. Additional results provide significant recommendations for future research on thermal performance and comfort guidelines for earthen structures. This study contributes to the development of environmental and policy measures that could be used by policymakers by synthesizing technical and environmental data and by identifying means of improving the perception of natural building.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to review the literature on Materials science to identify the current research and to provide direction for future research in thermal properties of the concrete block composite, either with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) or Polystyrene (PS), presenting the opportunity to make an important methodological contribution by applying systematic review in three areas of Materials science: Composites, Building Materials, as well as Testing and Evaluation of Materials. This is a growing interdisciplinary field since there are no current comparative papers addressing both PET and PS in the same research for concrete composites. Papers investigating to what extent, what type and how academic publications are integrated on the analysis of the characteristics of the two recycled polymers (PET and PS), to improve the thermal properties of the concrete block and contribute to the research of sustainable thermal comfort in homes. They were reviewed, keywords were identified within a framework of composites, building materials, as well as testing and evaluation of materials, and a lexical analysis of the papers was conducted. The results of current research show that both forms of recycling (PS and PET), combined with concrete, have sustainability in thermal comfort. The analysis reveals that previous research has focused on PET-Concrete (i.e., concrete-PET polymer composite) since it is more viable, due to its large amount of recycling. While this has benefited home builders in their ability to respond with some thermal comfort with higher construction efficiency, it also clarifies that there has been research done on PS-Concrete (i.e., concrete-PS polymer composite), presenting greater thermal comfort, because it has lower thermal conductivity. This finding suggests the need for further research within this narrow field, with absence of data, since most prescriptive recommendations have not been tested and lack practical applications, which is why the need for more empirical and experimental studies are identified. Based on the novelty of the PET or PS recycling concepts, we highlight the need of better collaboration between academic disciplines, such as engineering and architecture to provide better experimental evidence for recycling of polymers, including empirical approaches for the different types of composites and aggregate distributions, which can be made with concrete to improve thermal insulation performance and energy savings for manufacturers.