Advanced Materials Research Vol. 649

Abstract: Computer simulations using Building Simulation software (BSim) were performed in order to evaluate prediction of indoor climate variation over time and also for assessment of energy consumption necessary for indoor climate formation in case of Primary school in Brno, Nový Lískovec. The objective of this paper is to evaluate current operation state of the building using computer simulations. Obtained results will be used for design of systems of renewable energies and for evaluation of indoor climate quality in terms of CO₂ concentration.

Abstract: The value of air permeability, or the value of n50 provides important information about the impermeability of the building envelope and thus the quality of internal environment of the building. It is also one of the main evaluation criteria in classifying energy efficient buildings. Air permeability is determined by Blower Door Test where the fan blows air in or out from the measured area. The measurement is performed in a overpressure and afterwards in a underpressure during which the leaks are detected. The frame is usually placed into the front door which themselves is a weak part in the building envelope, and thus the rate of leakage completely denies. The effect of leakage of the front door is so significant that it can often cause a misclassification of the energy efficient buildings. We have tested this hypothesis by Blower Door Test on a passive timber construction build in 2007 during which we have measured the object in position of measuring device placed in the front door and the balcony door that are not encumbered by leaks caused by a security hardware and by other specific elements

Abstract: The solid fuel heaters are popular in Slovakia again, where about 50% of new freestanding homes have one. The classic fireplace, with a blazing fire open to the room as traditional symbol of comfort and security becomes with better building thermal insulation a primary rather than an occasional indulgence heat source. This paper reports the results of field measurement and simulation investigating the thermal comfort criteria in occupied space with fireplace heating system. The field study was performed in a small furnished living-room. The indoor surface temperatures were captured with infrared camera and the mean radiant temperatures were calculated by the ESP-r simulation tool. Thermal comfort prediction maps (PPD and PMV index) are presented to describe range of occupant comfort levels with mean air temperature, air velocity and clothing level variations. It was found that this system provide full area improved thermal climate only with high air temperature level. The study was limited to the case with no vertical air temperature distribution.

Abstract: The thermal performance of radiant heating and cooling systems (RHCS) composed of capillary micro tubes (CMT) integrated into the inner plate of sandwich elements made of High Performance Concrete (HPC) was investigated in the article. Temperature distribution in HPC elements around integrated CMT was studied. Thermal heat flux on the inner surface of HPC element was carefully investigated. Calculations were carried out for different temperatures of the circulating fluid, different spacing between CMT and different thicknesses of the inner HPC layer covering the CMT. This paper shows that CMT integrated into the thin plate of sandwich element made of HPC can supply the energy needed for heating and cooling. The investigations were conceived as a low temperature concept, where the difference between the temperature of circulating fluid and air in the room was kept in range of 1 to 4°C.

Abstract: The article focuses on a comparison of storage of heat energy to the underground soil tank located under the building or in the immediate vicinity. Effective utilization of surplus energy from solar radiation that would be stored in a tank under the buildings and subsequently used for an extended period of time is one of the factors that significantly related to the reduction of environmental burden, and elimination of non-renewable energy sources, especially fossil fuels.

Abstract: Defects in heat insulation systems caused by incompliance with the prescribed technological procedures and by human error in the course of their implementation negatively affect energy accumulation and saving. The result is thermal bridges and lower energy saving than expected in the stage of heat insulation project preparation.

Abstract: With increasing requirements for properties of envelope design in respect of thermal protection of buildings also requirements for building material properties have been growing. In case of ceramic shaped pieces for peripheral structures the way to further improvement of its thermal insulation properties is quite difficult. Generally thickness of interior groins can be reduced and its geometrical layout changed or the ceramics blocks dimensions increased and thus width of the masonry construction. Use of insulation filler integrated in block cavities is the alternative technology of production of insulation special shapes of high insulation properties. In these cases the ceramic fragment ensures the mechanical stability of the block and integrated insulation layer in smaller or bigger part (depending on its part) the thermal properties and eventually also the acoustic and insulation ones. The paper describes application possibilities of insulation materials based upon waste textile fibres as integrated layer in current masonry ceramic blocks of high utility properties.

Abstract: The paper references a number of sources to create a compact account of the intrinsic energy, physical parameters and subsequent thermal potential of rammed earth that has been stabilized with Portland cement. The aim of this article is to show that a lower embodied energy does not necessarily reduce thermal comfort if careful consideration is given to design.

Abstract: The subject of this paper is an effective connection of the solar wall into an energy concept of an apartment building with a hot air ventilation. It describes mental approaches and construction solution of the solar wall, which minimizes disadvantages of the existing energy of similar structures by its new ideological concept. The facade of the house becomes an energy contribution for the object. A part of this article is an effort to evaluate the proposed solution in a low-energy three-storey apartment building with six residential units. From the graphs it can be determined the energy balance of the building with the solar wall for a particular day of the year. The construction is applicable for both new buildings and renovations.

Abstract: The Architectural competition announcements in Austria, as well as in most other European countries, regularly mention sustainability as a fundamental factor for decision-making. The consideration of energy performance, environmental performance of materials (embodied energy, reuse or recycling potential, toxicity), natural ventilation, and daylight availability are typically mentioned in the list of project requirements. In this context, the present contribution considers three actual architectural competition cases. Thereby, we investigated the kinds and depth of sustainability-related criteria as included in the competition announcements (e.g., hard versus soft requirements, qualitative versus quantitative benchmarks) . Moreover, we explored the level to which competition entries actually responded to the sustainability-related competition criteria. Thus, the submission materials (project narratives, posters and simple calculations if existing) available to the jury were analysed in detail. Toward this end, two approaches were selected: A qualitative approach focused on the use of certain terminology within the documentation of the projects. The second approach took certain numeric indicators into consideration such as heating demand and OI3 Index (sustainability). In those cases where the indicator values were not submitted by the participants, they were calculated by the authors based on available documentation. The study implies the need for a reconsideration of the process of formulating architectural competitions and evaluating the related submissions. It appears that currently the sustainability-related requirements in competition documentations do not lead to entries, which provide sufficient information for accountable jury evaluation. Rather, alternative and/or additional comprehensive indicators of sustainability and ecological performance must be included in a clear and systematic fashion in architectural competition narratives.