• Energy Research

Buildings account for a major part of Total Energy Consumption (TEC) in comparison to that of industry and other sections. The opening and envelope material can affect their TEC. Accordingly, this paper aims to study the effects of the window to external wall ratio (WWR) and the application of recycled panels as the building envelope on the total energy consumption in a one-floor residential building located in Iran and characterized by a semi-arid climate. To follow the sustainability criterion, we designed two concrete panels for the external walls’ envelope including a porous concrete panel and recycled ash concrete panel. The WWR varies between 5% to 95% and the optimal WWRs are separately presented for all the months. To develop the models, we used Design Builder software which its simulations are validated via field observations. For all the panels, the least energy consumption is obtained when the WWR is 5%. However, due to lighting issues, the most optimal WWR is calculated as 45-55% based on the results of the numerical simulations. Further, it is proved that the recycled ash concrete panel outperforms the porous concrete panel in terms of minimum energy consumption. Hence, it is recommended to use eco-friendly material as the external walls envelop with the WWR below 50%. The numerical simulations provided 240 data points for each panel which is exploited to develop an ANN model. The results suggested that the ANN models predict the TEC based on the month and WWR with high accuracy.

Buildings account for a major part of Total Energy Consumption (TEC) in comparison to that of industry and other sections. The opening and envelope material can affect their TEC. Accordingly, this paper aims to study the effects of the window to external wall ratio (WWR) and the application of recycled panels as the building envelope on the total energy consumption in a one-floor residential building located in Iran and characterized by a semi-arid climate. To follow the sustainability criterion, we designed two concrete panels for the external walls’ envelope including a porous concrete panel and recycled ash concrete panel. The WWR varies between 5% to 95% and the optimal WWRs are separately presented for all the months. To develop the models, we used Design Builder software which its simulations are validated via field observations. For all the panels, the least energy consumption is obtained when the WWR is 5%. However, due to lighting issues, the most optimal WWR is calculated as 45-55% based on the results of the numerical simulations. Further, it is proved that the recycled ash concrete panel outperforms the porous concrete panel in terms of minimum energy consumption. Hence, it is recommended to use eco-friendly material as the external walls envelop with the WWR below 50%. The numerical simulations provided 240 data points for each panel which is exploited to develop an ANN model. The results suggested that the ANN models predict the TEC based on the month and WWR with high accuracy.

Abstract Sustainability targets can be achieved by pursuing environmental-friendly and energy-efficient design and construction. Being sub-standard in terms of stability, buildings would pose serious threats to the environment and natural sources. Therefore, having sustainable design and construction is of great importance in building industry. To achieve sustainability targets, recently recycled aggregates attracted special attention. While several studies have been conducted on the thermal and hydrometric characteristics of recycled materials, there are few studies available on the evaluation of the applicability of these materials in buildings. Accordingly, in this study, the performance of four different recycled concrete panels, produced using waste and recycled materials, has been investigated in terms of energy consumption in a residential building using Design-Builder software. Moreover, a model tree algorithm (M5′) has been used to evolve formulas for predicting the total energy consumption in the reference building. To do this, up to 1200 simulations using various recycled materials and glass areas have been carried out in Design-Builder software. The performances of the developed formulas have been evaluated on the basis of statistical measures. The results suggest that M5′ could serve as a valuable tool for the estimation of total energy consumption in residential buildings.

Abstract Sustainability targets can be achieved by pursuing environmental-friendly and energy-efficient design and construction. Being sub-standard in terms of stability, buildings would pose serious threats to the environment and natural sources. Therefore, having sustainable design and construction is of great importance in building industry. To achieve sustainability targets, recently recycled aggregates attracted special attention. While several studies have been conducted on the thermal and hydrometric characteristics of recycled materials, there are few studies available on the evaluation of the applicability of these materials in buildings. Accordingly, in this study, the performance of four different recycled concrete panels, produced using waste and recycled materials, has been investigated in terms of energy consumption in a residential building using Design-Builder software. Moreover, a model tree algorithm (M5′) has been used to evolve formulas for predicting the total energy consumption in the reference building. To do this, up to 1200 simulations using various recycled materials and glass areas have been carried out in Design-Builder software. The performances of the developed formulas have been evaluated on the basis of statistical measures. The results suggest that M5′ could serve as a valuable tool for the estimation of total energy consumption in residential buildings.

Abstract This paper studies the climactic performance of the 10 traditional courtyards located in warm-dry climates of Kashan and cold climates of Ardabil based on shading and sunlit coverage. The modelling process comprises two sections: first, a number of numerical simulations are run using Envi-met software to detail the shading and sunlit percentage, PET and PMV in the samples of interest. These numerical models are validated on the basis of the results made available by field observations. Such validation revealed an excellent agreement between the numerical solution and the benchmarking data. Afterwards, GP is used to evolve some equations for predicting PET and PMV using the data points derived from the numerical simulations. The results suggest that regarding the thermal indices (PET and PMV), there is a high correlation between the shadow and sunlit effects and thermal comfort in Kashan's houses in comparison with Ardabil houses. However, in tropical regions (Kashan), summer shading and winter sunlit have a greater effect on thermal comfort and temperature adjustment than cold regions. Moreover, the statistical criterion, as well as reliability analysis and contour plots show that the GP developed formulas can be exploited in predicting the PET and PMV based on the shading percentage.

Abstract This paper studies the climactic performance of the 10 traditional courtyards located in warm-dry climates of Kashan and cold climates of Ardabil based on shading and sunlit coverage. The modelling process comprises two sections: first, a number of numerical simulations are run using Envi-met software to detail the shading and sunlit percentage, PET and PMV in the samples of interest. These numerical models are validated on the basis of the results made available by field observations. Such validation revealed an excellent agreement between the numerical solution and the benchmarking data. Afterwards, GP is used to evolve some equations for predicting PET and PMV using the data points derived from the numerical simulations. The results suggest that regarding the thermal indices (PET and PMV), there is a high correlation between the shadow and sunlit effects and thermal comfort in Kashan's houses in comparison with Ardabil houses. However, in tropical regions (Kashan), summer shading and winter sunlit have a greater effect on thermal comfort and temperature adjustment than cold regions. Moreover, the statistical criterion, as well as reliability analysis and contour plots show that the GP developed formulas can be exploited in predicting the PET and PMV based on the shading percentage.