• Energy Research
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AbstractThis paper studies the containment of steam system when it interacts with wood crib fire under the submerged condition. The results of experiment show that the steam could disturb the wood crib fire flame consistently in enclosure space and dilute the oxygen concentration around wood. With the increase of exposed area of wood crib, the probability that crib will burn back is rising. When fire is extinguished, the longer steam acting time is, the less likely that wood crib will burn back. When the injecting time of steam reaches to a certain quantity, the rekindle phenomenon of wood crib would be effective controlled. After a series of comparison experiment, this paper has found the critical time for a certain crib structure. When the steam injects for critical time in the enclosed space, the crib will not burn back at all.

AbstractThis paper studies the containment of steam system when it interacts with wood crib fire under the submerged condition. The results of experiment show that the steam could disturb the wood crib fire flame consistently in enclosure space and dilute the oxygen concentration around wood. With the increase of exposed area of wood crib, the probability that crib will burn back is rising. When fire is extinguished, the longer steam acting time is, the less likely that wood crib will burn back. When the injecting time of steam reaches to a certain quantity, the rekindle phenomenon of wood crib would be effective controlled. After a series of comparison experiment, this paper has found the critical time for a certain crib structure. When the steam injects for critical time in the enclosed space, the crib will not burn back at all.

Abstract In front of the building energy issues and environmental impact bound, it appears that the earth envelopes are a promising track in terms of improving thermal comfort, indoor air quality, energy consumption and indoor humidity regulation. For this purpose, a characterization of hygrothermal transfers in the unfired earth was been conducted with experimental and numerical approaches. Thus, the studies at the material and wall scales were necessary to check dissociate and coupled hygrothermal behaviour. The material scale has been used to characterize properties related to heat and mass transfers. The hygrothermal coupling has been the subject of a specific study via a dual-climate test chamber at an earth wall scale. Finite Differences (FD) and Finite Elements (FE) implementations have resulted in a detailed analysis of transfers across the tested earth wall with a reduction work of order required to limit the calculation time. Emphasis is placed on the effects of moisture in the hygrothermal transfer in order to validate a digital tool developed in this work.

Abstract In front of the building energy issues and environmental impact bound, it appears that the earth envelopes are a promising track in terms of improving thermal comfort, indoor air quality, energy consumption and indoor humidity regulation. For this purpose, a characterization of hygrothermal transfers in the unfired earth was been conducted with experimental and numerical approaches. Thus, the studies at the material and wall scales were necessary to check dissociate and coupled hygrothermal behaviour. The material scale has been used to characterize properties related to heat and mass transfers. The hygrothermal coupling has been the subject of a specific study via a dual-climate test chamber at an earth wall scale. Finite Differences (FD) and Finite Elements (FE) implementations have resulted in a detailed analysis of transfers across the tested earth wall with a reduction work of order required to limit the calculation time. Emphasis is placed on the effects of moisture in the hygrothermal transfer in order to validate a digital tool developed in this work.

AbstractSince the beginning of the 21st century, straw-bale buildings are reappearing in the world; however, their thermal performances were not thoroughly investigated up to now. The purpose of this study is to analyze thermal behavior and energy performance of a straw-bale building in Switzerland. Using Pleiades+Comfie Software, building designs have been studied to understand the best way to mitigate overheating risks due to the low heat capacity of straw. Thermal-dynamic results and Life Cycle Assessment conclude that straw bale buildings can be a sustainable alternative in the energy evolution of building construction, due to its low embodied energy and excellent thermal performance.

AbstractSince the beginning of the 21st century, straw-bale buildings are reappearing in the world; however, their thermal performances were not thoroughly investigated up to now. The purpose of this study is to analyze thermal behavior and energy performance of a straw-bale building in Switzerland. Using Pleiades+Comfie Software, building designs have been studied to understand the best way to mitigate overheating risks due to the low heat capacity of straw. Thermal-dynamic results and Life Cycle Assessment conclude that straw bale buildings can be a sustainable alternative in the energy evolution of building construction, due to its low embodied energy and excellent thermal performance.

Abstract The seismic vulnerability of an urban area is of a great deal for local authorities especially those facing earthquakes. So, it is important to have an efficient tool to assess the vulnerability of existing buildings. Blida is located in the north part of Algeria, an area prone to seismicity. It is classified zone III according to the Algerian Seismic Code (RPA99 version 2003). The town is among the oldest cities in the north. Build especially during the colonial period, Blida is characterized by vulnerable urban conditions with dense buildings and narrow roads. Using geographic information systems (GIS), the seismic vulnerability of Blida is assessed. First the vulnerability indexes of buildings are calculated, then making seismic scenarios. Damage rates are determined taking into account the seismotectonic aspect of the region and the vulnerability curves of structures commonly found in Blida. The rates of damage caused by the earthquake considered in the scenario highlighted the high vulnerability of Blida. These results can allow elaborating strategic countermeasure plans for the earthquake risk mitigation in the city.