| 11. |
- Karim, Ali Naman, 1992, et al.
(author)
-
Super insulation plasters in renovation of buildings in Sweden: energy efficiency and possibilities with new building materials
- 2020
-
In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. - : IOP Publishing. - 1755-1307 .- 1755-1315. ; 588:4
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Super insulation plasters are new and high energy efficient plasters mixed with aerogel particles. Aerogel is a porous and low-density material with very low thermal conductivity compared to the traditional insulation materials. Today, approximately 27% of Sweden’s multi-family houses have a plaster façade. Plaster is commonly used in many other European countries as well. In this paper, numerical simulations are utilized to estimate the total magnitude of energy and CO2 emissions that can be saved annually in Sweden by using super insulation plasters. In additional, possibilities and challenges in conjunction with the introduction of new techniques and materials in the building sector have been addressed, through interviews and literature review. The annual energy use and CO2 emissions can be reduced by 74±48 GWh and 1000 ±600 ton respectively if 10% of Sweden’s multi-family houses are externally insulated by super insulation plaster. Based on the interviews it is evident that distinct information and documentation about a new building material, concerning the material properties and long-termperformance, needs to be provided by the producer before usage of the material on industrial scale. Another important issue is the cost of a new technique and that it has to be economically motivated. Implementation of the super insulation plaster in Swedish buildings can contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals numbers 7, 8 and 9 by 2030, by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and productivity on construction sites.
|
|
| 12. |
- Mathern, Alexandre, 1986, et al.
(author)
-
Lessons learned from the construction, inspection, and defect assessment of reinforced concrete foundations for wind turbines
- 2022
-
In: Applied Sciences (Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2076-3417. ; 12:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Foundations of wind turbines are subject to challenging conditions during their service life as they support ever larger wind turbines under complex loading situations. There have been numerous reports of cracked concrete foundations of wind turbines. Cracking can impair the durability and serviceability of the foundations, thereby leading to very expensive repairs or even to premature failure of the structure. To avoid cracking-related problems and improve the quality of concrete foundations, it is important to gather information and experience from the production stage and its outcome. However, although problems and defects in the construction of wind turbine foundations are widespread, they have very seldom been documented and reported, in particular from a contractor’s perspective. This article analyses and critically reviews data collected during the production, inspection, diagnosis, and repair activities conducted in relation to the construction of foundations for a wind farm project in Sweden. The extent of defects observed on individual foundations is assessed and used to investigate the eventual relation between the observed deviations and different production aspects. Investigation methods to determine the importance of these defects and their consequences and possible remediation measures are also discussed. Finally, recommendations are proposed to improve the quality control of wind turbine foundations.
|
|
| 13. |
- Stephen, Jake, et al.
(author)
-
Internal thermal environment and futureproofing of a newly built, naturally ventilated UK school
- 2020
-
In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. - : IOP Publishing. - 1755-1307 .- 1755-1315. ; 588:3
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research indicates that school children have lower comfort levels than adults and this exacerbates the challenge of tackling the risks of summer overheating in schools without resorting to air conditioning. UN SDG 13 calls for climate action to strengthen the resilience of our cities and reduce the impact of climate change. In this work, a modern, naturally ventilated school in Southampton, UK was used to evaluate single, "hard", passive retrofit measures and "soft", building management solutions that could increase the wellbeing of students and reduce current and future demand for cooling. The school was selected as it represents the current standardised design guidance for schools released in 2012 by the Department of Education (DfE). The research presents air temperature observations collected during the summer of 2015. Dynamic thermal modelling was undertaken to evaluate passive retrofit and "soft" solutions to reduce the overheating risk. The model was validated with temperature data collected from the school classrooms. The results indicate that (a) such school buildings have high likelihood of overheating, based on children's comfort temperatures and (b) passive retrofits focused on shading and ventilation could help to reduce the classroom temperature when required. It is recommended that "soft" adaptive solutions will prove effective to reduce future air conditioning demand, but this will require a radical change in established practices. Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will require to rethink and redesign urban living and city infrastructures.
|
|
| 14. |
- Teli, Despoina, 1980, et al.
(author)
-
Teaching the concept of adaptive thermal comfort in building design education
- 2020
-
In: 16th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate: Creative and Smart Solutions for Better Built Environments, Indoor Air 2020.
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Traditional building design education in the disciplines of building services, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, etc. focusses on quantifiable factors, i.e. factors which can be subject of calculation, simulation and dimensioning. Since non-quantifiable factors are not part of calculation or simulation models, there is a tendency that they are not adequately considered in education and, as a result, in building planning and operation. In the case of human thermal comfort, building professionals are required to understand the mechanisms and impact of non-quantifiable factors related to human thermal comfort and health, most of which are part of the adaptive thermal comfort concept. This paper identifies the challenges in teaching the concept of adaptive thermal comfort through a collection of lived experiences of the authors. The paper then proposes appropriate intended learning outcomes and teaching methods to equip students with the background knowledge, understanding and skills required to consider human adaptation in their designs. It is widely accepted that integrated design is a precondition for a building design that functions well, offers sufficient comfort for their users and can be operated in a sustainable way. Integrated building design requires that different disciplines work closely together and understand and respect their different focus areas and languages. Herein the case of human thermal comfort requires engineers who understand the mechanisms and impact of non-quantifiable factors on human well-being indoors. Within the work of Annex 69: “Strategy and practice of adaptive thermal comfort in low energy buildings” we developed a framework and a guideline for adopting adaptive thermal comfort principles in design and operation of buildings, which may serve as a complementary tool in an integrated design process and inclusion of adaptive thermal comfort in education.
|
|
| 15. |
- van Eldert, Jeroen, 1987-, et al.
(author)
-
Application of Measurement While Drilling Technology to Predict Rock Mass Quality and Rock Support for Tunnelling
- 2020
-
In: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. - : Springer. - 0723-2632 .- 1434-453X. ; 53:3, s. 1349-1358
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A tunnelling project is normally initiated with a site investigation to determine the in situ rock mass conditions and to generate the basis for the tunnel design and rock support. However, since site investigations often are based on limited information (surface mapping, geophysical profiles, few bore holes, etc.), the estimation of the rock mass conditions may contain inaccuracies, resulting in underestimating the required rock support. The study hypothesised that these inaccuracies could be reduced using Measurement While Drilling (MWD) technology to assist in the decision-making process. A case study of two tunnels in the Stockholm bypass found the rock mass quality was severely overestimated by the site investigation; more than 45% of the investigated sections had a lower rock mass quality than expected. MWD data were recorded in 25 m grout holes and 6 m blast holes. The MWD data were normalised so that the long grout holes with larger hole diameters and the shorter blast holes with smaller hole diameters gave similar results. With normalised MWD data, it was possible to mimic the tunnel contour mapping; results showed good correlation with mapped Q-value and installed rock support. MWD technology can improve the accuracy of forecasting the rock mass ahead of the face. It can bridge the information gap between the early, somewhat uncertain geotechnical site investigation and the geological mapping done after excavation to optimise rock support.
|
|
| 16. |
- Desivyana, Nindya, 1997, et al.
(author)
-
Sustainability Driven Procurement of Building Projects Incentives and Driving Factors from the Clients’ Perspective
- 2023
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The construction industry is reported as one of the biggest global industries which accounted 30% global greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge of the construction industry is not merely on the reduction of emissions, but also extended towards other aspects of sustainability, consisting of the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability. Sweden took action to handle the environmental issues by targeting on being climate neutral by 2045. Hence, the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning, commonly known as Boverket, took more detailed action by stipulating climate declaration for all new buildings. The property developers play a vital role to boost sustainability in Sweden, since they have an increased influence in the hierarchy of the construction industry. In this case, the drivers of sustainable development in the construction industry are partially reliant on the clients’ requirements requested in every project, as well as their ethics and initiatives. Therefore, this study investigates the state-of-the-art sustainable practices among property developers in Sweden to identify the main challenges in applying sustainable criteria during the procurement phase. This study was carried out by qualitative research which consists of a literature review and an empirical study of semi-structured interviews. This study resulted in the identification of several common sustainable criteria, covering the three pillars of sustainability and also emphasising the fact that currently the property developers have an increased interest in environmental and economic sustainability, rather than social sustainability. The results of the study also raised the notion of long-term perspective, how it affects the business strategy on sustainability and the different perceptions that exist. The study concludes that the market demand drives the implementation of the agenda on sustainability, among property developers in Sweden, while providing substantial information that could prove useful in the future development of the national agenda and its regulations.
|
|
| 17. |
- Johansson, Mikael, 1975, et al.
(author)
-
KAN VR FÖRBÄTTRA KUNSKAPSÅTERFÖRING FRÅN PRODUKTIONEN UNDER PROJEKTERING?
- 2021
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Syftet med detta projekt har varit att studera och utvärdera hur ett VR (Virtual Reality)- gränssnitt till BIM-modellen kan användas för att bättre och mer effektivt involvera och ta tillvara på produktionspersonalens kunskap redan under projekteringsfasen. Enkelt sett har grundtanken varit att låta personal med erfarenhet från produktionen "identifiera/lösa/hantera problem virtuellt – INNAN de når byggarbetsplatsen". VR-tekniken har studerats och utvärderats på sex olika arbetsplatser/projekt där projektering och produktion har pågått parallellt. Som metod har intervjuer, enkätundersökning, samt observationer används. Resultatet från studien visar att det finns stora möjligheter med – och i viss mån också ett behov av – att låta personal från produktionen använda VR-teknik för granskning, planering, och arbetsberedning. Genom att involvera och ta tillvara på produktionspersonalens kunskap och insikter har flertalet problem eller mindre bra lösningar upptäckts och hanterats, innan dessa har nått det faktiska utförandet. I vissa fall har det rört sig om rena projekteringsmissar, medans det i andra fall har handlat om ändrad arbetsordning mellan discipliner, eller alternativa lösningar som passat framdriften bättre. När det gäller VR tekniken som sådan är det framförallt det faktum att modellen betraktas i skala 1:1 som lyfts fram och många kommentarer är kopplade till hur storlek, utrymmen, och detaljer, ges en helt annan förståelse och känsla för än när modellen granskas på vanlig skärm. Vidare visade det sig att möjligheten att vara flera användare i en och samma VR[1]modell, s.k. multi-user läge, hade väldigt positiva effekter på förståelse och kommunikation mellan deltagarna. Multi-user gör det dessutom möjligt för deltagarna att koppla upp sig från vitt skilda platser, vilket spås underlätta den här typen av möten med deltagare från både projektering och produktion. Sammantaget kan det konstateras att VR definitivt har möjlighet att förbättra kunskapsåterföring från produktionen under projektering. Studien ger många exempel på problem, utmaningar, och mindre bra lösningar som kan upptäckas – men även hur man kan hitta bättre och mer produktionsanpassade lösningar – och visar tydligt att VR[1]tekniken har ett värde och är mogen för att användas kontinuerligt i skarpa projekt. Dock finns det idag fortfarande hinder och utmaningar när det gäller att göra tekniken fullt tillgänglig för alla i ett projekt, och här spås en ny generation av fristående VR-headset att öppna upp för bättre möjligheter.
|
|
| 18. |
- Löfgren, Simon
(author)
-
Set-Based Design of Frame Bridges - Development and Implementation
- 2020
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The traditional design process of bridges in structural engineering is based on the design approach called Point-Based design. To minimize environmental impact and industrialize the design process, the theory of Set-Based design (SBD) has been recognized as a promising approach. Since frame bridges is one of the most common bridge types in Sweden, the main objective of this thesis is to develop and implement a SBD tool for frame bridges. To be able to evaluate the different design alternatives generated by the design tool, evaluation criteria within buildability and sustainability are identified. Buildability is a concept within building industry that aims to improve productivity and safety within on-site production while also reducing the costs of the construction process. The building industry is one of the major contributors regarding impact on its surrounding. Therefore, there is a huge potential in improving the sustainability within the building industry. Sustainability is divided in Environment, Social and Economy aspects. The design tool allows performing an automated and iterative structural preliminary design of several frame bridge alternatives specified within ranges of design parameters. The design alternatives are analyzed with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and evaluated according to predefined evaluation criteria. By scripting the design tool in programing language Python, it is possible to control an FEA program, such as Brigade Plus, from the design tool as well as performing a preliminary design of frame bridges. The preliminary design is performed according to requirements in national building codes, Eurocode. Finally, a case study is performed to investigate how a SBD tool can be implemented in an infrastructure project containing several frame bridges. In a large infrastructure project and with a SBD tool it is possible to find one optimum bridge solution that fulfills the need of several bridges in a set of bridges. The contractor can then industrialize parts of the construction of frame bridges, hopefully leading to a more sustainable and cost-effective building of frame bridges.
|
|
| 19. |
- Jockwer, Robert, 1984, et al.
(author)
-
Design for adaption - making timber buildings ready for circular use and extended service life
- 2021
-
In: World Conference on Timber Engineering 2021, WCTE 2021.
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use of timber and the implementation of the concept of circularity in the process of the construction of buildings potentially has a high sustainability impact, both from the perspective of material and construction technique. The three most effective ways to ensure the benefit of the circularity in the building sector in general are (1) maintain the service life of structures and buildings materials as long as possible to avoid unnecessary emissions and costs for demolition and reconstruction (2) conserve the quality of materials as long as possible to avoid unnecessary emissions and costs for the replacement and processing of new materials and (3) recycle and repurpose only the parts and materials which cannot function any more for technical and/or socio-cultural reasons. In this paper an approach is discussed towards a more sustainable built environment by making buildings adaptable to the changes of demands and requirements to building functions and thus leading to an extended use of buildings in a maximum of life cycles. This design for adaption may enhance economic, social and environmental benefits to various stakeholders and key players related to the building process, i.e. developers, building owners, users, municipality and others.
|
|
| 20. |
- Täljsten, Björn, 1961-, et al.
(author)
-
Assessment of prestressed concrete bridges - challenges
- 2020
-
In: IABSE Symposium, Wroclaw 2020. - Zürich : International Association For Bridge And Structural Engineering (IABSE). ; , s. 487-494
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prestressed concrete bridges are important parts of our infrastructure. They are susceptible to different kinds of deterioration processes. Examples of damages and deficiencies are cracking, corrosion, voids, bond loss, reduction of cover layer, delamination, fatigue and loss of stiffness and strength. This necessitates methods to continuously assess their condition in order to avoid problems that might lead to shorter service life or reduction of structural integrity. Many of the existing prestressed bridges in Europe are now approaching their design life length. However, with proper and continuous inspection, monitoring and assessment, we may plan proactive maintenance and the structural safety can be assured or – if necessary - increased. This will save both money and decrease the environmental impact of the structure.
|
|
