bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of climate change on the moisture performance and durability of brick veneer walls of wood frame construction in Canada
Authors: Defo M , Lacasse M A , Wang L 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the potential effects of climate change on the moisture performance and durability of red matt clay brick veneer walls of wood frame construction on the basis of results derived from hygrothermal simulations. One-dimensional simulations were run using DELPHIN 5.9 for selected moisture reference years of the 15 realizations of modelled historical (H: 1986-2016) and future (F: 2062-2092) climate data of 12 Canadian cities. The mold growth index at the outer layer of the OSB sheathing panel was used to compare the moisture performance under H and F periods. Results for the base design that meet the minimum requirements of the National Building Code of Canada showed that cities within the interior of the country, characterized by a low annual rainfall, are less likely to develop significant mold growth under H and F periods, whereas cities in coastal areas, characterized by high annual rainfall, present a heightened risk to mold growth under both H and F periods. For cities located on the west coast, a possible solution could be to use a 38-mm ventilated drainage cavity as this measure would help dissipate moisture from within the cavity. On the east coast, apart from using a 38-mm ventilated drainage cavity, other measures aiming at reducing the wind-driven rain deposition (i.e., increasing overhang ratio or the height of the roof) could be introduced. However, the feasibility of such measures needs to be considered in respect to whether these are to be implemented as part of a new building or retrofit of an existing one.
Influence of climate change on the energy performance assessment of NZEB houses
Authors: Janssens A , Vandenbussche E , Van den Brande K , Bracke W , Delghust M 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regulations aim to reduce primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of buildings, which are the result of creating a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. In this study, the influence of climate change on the regulatory EPB calculation results is analysed for the Flanders region in Belgium. The results of the analysis may be used by authorities to better define nearly zero energy building (NZEB) requirements today. Meteonorm has been used to simulate future climate change based on IPCC scenarios and urban heat island effect. These future climates have been implemented in a Revit-and Excel-based tool that calculates the stochastic variation of energy performance for six different dwelling typologies, based on the semi-steady state energy use calculation method applied in the regional rating method. Four different packages of measures to achieve NZEB performance (thermal insulation, energy efficient ventilation, renewable energy technologies,…) have been considered. The results for primary energy use, overheating indicator and net energy use for heating and cooling have been analysed. As may be expected, climate change is found to lead to an increase in overheating risk, an increase in cooling energy use, and a decrease in heating energy use in the analysed dwellings. Since in most cases the decrease in heating energy use outweighs the increase in cooling energy use, the total primary energy use decreases in most cases for the 2050 future climate.
Thermal performance of a novel lightweight emergency construction system in different climates
Authors: D’Orazio Marco , Maracchini Gianluca 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Prefabricated, lightweight construction systems, thanks to their quicker construction processes, cheapness, higher portability, and adaptability, are increasingly proposed all around the world as emergency architectures (after natural disasters, pandemics, etc.), and as affordable housing solutions in countries with increasing housing demand. Due to their low thermal inertia, however, these buildings are often characterized by poor thermal performance in hot climates due to indoor overheating. The possible application of passive cooling measures is often investigated to improve their thermal performance. Among others, cool materials present some advantages in terms of ease of application and costs. However, few studies investigated the impact of this passive strategy on the thermal performance of emergency buildings. For this reason, this work evaluates the impact of cooling materials on the thermal performance of a novel lightweight prefabricated construction system (HOMEDONE) based on the assembly of reinforced-EPS panels. First, a numerical model of an experimental mock-up was created and calibrated on experimental data. Then, the thermal performance of a typical temporary housing solution was numerically evaluated under different climatic locations. Finally, the effectiveness of cooling finishing materials is investigated. The potential of cooling materials in reducing the energy demand for the studied construction system is then highlighted.
A multi-year comparative analysis of green and conventional roof thermal performance under temperate climate conditions
Authors: Gunn P , Gunay H B , Van Geel P J 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Research suggests that—relative to conventional roofs—green roofs can significantly reduce rooftop heat exchange in moderate climates; however, limited research exists on the performance of green roofs in colder climates. This paper analyzes the comparative performance of two side-by-side roof assemblies: a conventional roof and a green roof located in the temperate climate of Ottawa, Canada. Using two years’ worth of temperature and solar radiation data, we analyze variations in the incremental thermal benefit of the green roof relative to the conventional roof. We discuss factors contributing to these variations, such as precipitation and ambient temperature. Our results indicate that the green roof under investigation reduced thermal transmittance by 31.5% on average across two years. Although the percent benefits were much higher during the summer months, reductions in thermal transmittance were consistently above 7.7% throughout both years, indicating green roofs may be an appropriate alternative to conventional roofs in climates with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Hygrothermal performance of a massive natural stone masonry wall insulated from the internal side with hemp concrete – field measurements in cold climate
Authors: Pau Markus , Kalamees Targo , Kallavus Urve 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Improving of exterior walls in historic and traditional buildings is often only possible with interior thermal insulation. The actual structure and material properties of the existing exterior wall are usually the main unknown factors. Therefore, field measurements with small mock-ups are helpful before large-scale renovation. The current study analyses by field measurements the hygrothermal performance of internally insulated massive stone wall. Two different hemp concrete mixes were developed for the insulation. Temperature and humidity conditions were measured periodically over one year period. Results showed a very low drying rate of hemp concrete interior insulation. The external side of hemp concrete insulation will stay moist for a very long period. Temperature of coarse hemp concrete was slightly higher during the cold period. Wooden studs used to install hemp concrete will stay in moist areas for a long period. Temperature drop below 0 °C shows that interior insulation should be durable for freezing-thawing cycles. Drying out of constructional moisture is absolutely necessary for hygrothermal design. Before considering large-scale renovations, it is necessary to further assess the long term durability and performance of hemp concrete in a moist environment. The temperature increase on the interior surface could slightly improve indoor thermal comfort.
Optimization of insulation levels from an environmental perspective: impact of HVAC controls and Personal Comfort Systems
Authors: Landuyt L , Lauwerys S , De Turck S , Steeman M , Van Den Bossche N 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Today, strict insulation requirements apply. Nevertheless, the inverse correlation of thermal conductivity with insulation thickness leads to decreasing energy savings with increasing insulation packages. Therefore, a balance between potential energy savings and environmental impact due to additional materials using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) needs to be strived for. This balance is sought for a case study called ‘The Mobble’ i.e. a flexible, modular, and circular building system developed by a student team from Ghent University. Through an iterative design process supported by LCA, comfort and dynamic energy simulations efforts are made to design an energy-efficient and low impact module with an agreeable indoor environment. First, material choices are made based on LCA and the material impact of a 5-module home is calculated. Second, energy calculations are executed in Modelica/Dymola. For this, three possible energy reductions are explored: insulating the building, altering the working regime of the HVAC system and lowering the setpoint temperature while maintaining comfort by using personal comfort systems (PCS). The results support PCS as a possible energy conservation measure and indicate that reducing operational energy does not shift the environmental burden to the additional materials’ production. However, these environmental saving effects decrease as the operational share decreases.
Historic Indoor Microclimate, the role of HVAC in heritage buildings’ restoration: the case of the Palace of Venaria Reale
Authors: Bonora Anna , Fabbri Kristian , Pretelli Marco 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The paper is aimed to illustrate how the study of the indoor microclimate, supported by the virtual simulation and by the knowledge of the historical evolutions of the building (managerial, usage and architectonical changes over the years), represents a preventive practice which allows to evaluate and predict the interactions between the object and the environment. To do that the authors present a case-study: room 33 in the Palace of Venaria Reale, in Turin, Italy. We have reproduced a virtual building model which presents the same indoor and outdoor microclimatic conditions of the original building. Moreover, we evaluated an alternative scenario that simulates the indoor microclimate of room 33 considering the HVAC systems continuously off. The comparison between the two virtual buildings allowed to estimate the impact of the HVAC system on the preventive conservation of the historical building, of the artefacts and of the occupants’ thermal comfort. Those simulations clarified which indoor microclimatic conditions could be guaranteed by the building itself, after the restoration project of the whole Palace started in 2001.
Circadian winter thermal profiles and thermal comfort in historical housing — field study
Authors: Baborska-Narożny M , Laska M , Fidrów-Kaprawy N , Malyszko M 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In winter thermally inefficient building envelopes of pre-retrofit historical housing allow for ca. sevenfold higher heat loss from heated apartments than the new built housing in Poland. As a result space heating in pre-retrofit tenements is regarded to be highly energy demanding and costly if the internal temperatures were to be kept on average at standard 20 °C assumed in building regulations. In this field study, carried out in January-March 2020, we investigated circadian thermal profiles and the associated thermal comfort in historical tenements both pre-and post-retrofit. The 16 apartments participating in our research were equipped with heating systems prevalent in Polish urban historical buildings, i.e. solid fuel stoves, electric heating, district-supplied central heating, or individual gas boilers. The former systems provided intermittent local heating while the latter central heating with thermostats. Our research comprised spot check multi-parameter measurements and continuous monitoring of the thermal environment, together with a longitudinal thermal comfort questionnaire survey (N=.2539), energy consumption analysis and semi-structured interviews with the residents. The differences detected in average (12.6°C) and range (up to 5.0°C) of diurnal temperatures did not explain the thermal comfort survey results on individual thermal sensations and preferences. What proved more important for the residents was the time of day when the maximum or minimum temperatures occurred and their perceived control over temperature and the cost associated with heating. Accordingly, we identified a need for further studies investigating the link between domestic thermal comfort and satisfaction with the usability of the heating system and control over the cost of heating.
Assessment of the heat loss coefficient of a renovated historical dwelling using a co-heating test
Authors: Van de Putte S , Himpe E , Nonneman J , Steeman M , Janssens A 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Twelve quasi-identical almshouses with an architectural-historic value were reno-vated, because of their high energy use, poor indoor comfort and numerous moisture problems. Aerogel plaster was applied for the hygrothermal upgrade of the uninsulated brick walls, while limiting the reduction of living space in these very small houses and keeping the monumental character of the facades in their original state. Several quality assurance tests were executed to evaluate the quality of the renovation of the building envelope and to compare the results with the initial theoretical design calculations. It appeared that the existing materials performed considerably better than the assumed conservative default values. On the other hand, the newly installed insulation materials performed somewhat less than declared, for example due to on-site processing. This resulted in a strong overestimation of the improvement in thermal performance by the renovation works. Field measurements of the existing situation can help to close this gap.
Heating the Dutch housing stock without natural gas
Authors: Koene F G H , Oppenoorth M , Langedijk R 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This paper studies the level of improvement of building envelopes required to heat the Dutch housing stock using an energy supply without natural gas, such as a district heating network at lower supply temperature or a heat pump. We identified 35 building types to represent the Dutch housing stock of single-family dwellings. A 4R2C building model was used to assess whether the dwellings could be heated at lower supply temperatures after they were renovated according to six renovation packages of different ambition level.
Static and dynamic thermal characterization of facade with mineral foam insulation using a hot-box apparatus
Authors: Gengembre Edouard , Jacquemet Karine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Reducing heat loss through the envelope of the building had been an efficient way to save on heating and reduce energy consumption of buildings. In Europe, typical exterior walls need to prevent heat loss during cold weather but more and more allow comfortable temperature condition during the hot season. Indoor comfort in hot seasons is dependent on the thermal transmittance and on its dynamic response during hot days. The study presents guarded hot-box measurements of exterior walls build with insulating masonry and insulation boards made of innovative mineral foam used as an insulation material. The masonry is a composite system of concrete block filled with mineral foam to reduce the thermal transmittance. Insulation boards are made of mineral foam and are added to achieve the overall thermal transmittance targeted. Static and dynamic measurements were performed in order to compare thermal transmittance and decrement delay. The results are compared with those obtained from calculations carried out of the same walls through the application of European standards and a finite volume simulation. Uncertainties of the guarded hot-box measurement and calculation methods are discussed. Results shows that with equivalent U-values, the solution offer higher decrement delay compared to a traditional wall using conventional masonry and polystyrene insulation boards.
Component sequence and thermal mass effects on the transient thermal performance of concrete walls
Authors: Salehpour B , Ghobadi M , Moore T , Ge H 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The increased requirements of buildings to reduce energy use have highlighted the importance of accounting for all factors that influence energy use in buildings. One consideration that requires further study in the envelope design of concrete-based wall assemblies is the placement of the thermal mass layer. In this study, two thermally massive walls, Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) and tilt-up walls, with the same thermal resistance but different sequencing of layers are investigated. In addition, a wall made of a homogeneous insulation layer with an identical thermal resistance was considered to further investigate the thermal mass effect on the potential for energy savings. Results of the numerical simulations performed using COMSOL Multiphysics® software indicate that, for the transient scenarios investigated, thermal mass can contribute to shifting and dampening peak heating and cooling loads, as well as saving energy. Also, less intense fluctuations were observed in the heat fluxes when considering the ICF wall. Energy savings during the primary seasons (i.e. winters in Montreal and summers in Miami) are found to be marginal but the existence of a thermally massive layer considerably reduced the demands during secondary seasons i.e. summers in Montreal and winters in Miami.
Energy performance analysis of smart wall system with switchable insulation and thermal storage capacity
Authors: Iffa Emishaw , Salonvaara Mikael , Hun Diana 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The ever-increasing global energy demand and the issues caused by population growth and unsustainable energy resource usages have several environmental and economic impacts. The on-demand capability of dynamic wall systems with switchable insulation systems can contribute toward energy efficiency and reduced electric cost using “building-as-a-battery.” In this paper, the performance of an exterior envelope system that employs a switchable insulation system is investigated. A COMSOL simulation was used to study the envelope performance under three switchable insulation locations in the wall system. The on and off switching cycle included insulating or conducting the exterior, interior, or both sides of the mass wall system. To validate the simulation work, an experimental test was conducted in climate chamber on a 4 × 8 in. wall system with identical wall components used in the COMSOL simulation. Results show a good agreement between the experiment and simulation results. The wall system with switchable insulation placed on the exterior side provided the highest interior inward heat flux when compared with the interior or split insulation. Also, an exterior switchable insulation system in addition to a thermal mass maintained a positive heat flow for more hours when the outdoor temperature was lower than the interior temperature.
Comparing statistical modeling techniques for heat loss coefficient estimation using in-situ data
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Ritosa Katia , Saelens Dirk , Roels Staf 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The combination of in-situ collected data and statistical modelling techniques proved to be a promising approach in actual building energy performance assessments, such as heat loss coefficient (HLC) evaluation. In this study, based on datasets of co-heating and pseudo-random binary sequence heating tests on a portable site office, the performance of three types of statistical models (i.e. multiple linear regression (MLR), autoregressive with exogenous terms (ARX), and grey-box models) on HLC-determination are examined. It is revealed that a similar HLC estimation outcome (about 115 W/K) is offered by the aforesaid three types of statistical models, but with different confidence intervals (CIs), where the 95% CIs of MLR (±3.1%) and ARX (±2.4%) are relatively narrow and the ones of grey box models are somewhat wider (around ± 9%). Moreover, for the current case study building, with evenly orientation-wise distributed glazed envelope, integrating B-splines into the grey-box model, to characterize the solar aperture (gA) and solar gain dynamics more precisely, imposed insignificant effects on the HLC estimation and corresponding 95% CIs, compared to the grey-box model with a constant gA assumption.
Domestic hot water system in residential buildings: production, distribution and consumption energy loss. Monitoring campaign in two Danish detached houses
Authors: Marszal-Pomianowska Anna , Jensen Rasmus Lund , Pomianowski Michal , Larsen Olena Kalyanova , Jørgensen Scharling Jacob , Knudsen Sofie Sand 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The share of the energy use for domestic hot water (DHW) in the total energy consumption of buildings is becoming more and more prominent. Depending on the building typology it varies between 20% to 50% of the total energy usage for old and new built single family house, respectively. The aim of this paper is to determine the energy losses in the DHW installation with division between: a) loss at the production point, b) loss in the distribution, and c) loss at the draw-off points using the results of the measurements of DHW consumption in two single family houses connected to district heating grid. The total Eloss for the two houses vary between 17% and 26%. For House 1, the production loss accounts for 8%, the pipe loss for 15% and loss at the draw off points for 3%. Moreover, the results shown that the layout of the house, in particular the placement of the bathrooms with showers or bath tubs has significant impact on the size of the distribution losses.
A probabilistic approach to include the overall efficiency of gas-fired heating systems in urban building energy modelling
Authors: Ritosa K , De Jaeger I , Saelens D , Roels S 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Urban building energy modelling has an essential role in the estimation of energy demand at urban or neighbourhood scales. However, current modelling methods have limitations in reproducing realistic gross energy usage. Although it is theoretically possible to simulate all components of the heating system in detail, such an extensive approach significantly increases the computational effort, prohibiting a large scale probabilistic analysis. As an alternative, this paper presents a simplified data-driven approach to estimate the overall efficiency for the six most occurring gas-fired heating system configurations in Flemish single-family dwellings. For all configurations, efficiencies of emission, distribution, production, control and storage components are taken into account, of which the efficiency of the production unit is modelled most in detail as it includes the load-dependency. The approach is applied to a sample of 20 dwellings reflecting realistic variation in size, insulation quality and occupancy schedules. For all dwellings and the different heating systems the resulting annual production efficiency, and monthly heating systems’ efficiency as a function of gross energy demand are shown based on the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile.