Search results for "Retrofit"
showing 10 items of 132 documents
The effects of vegetation on indoor thermal comfort: the application of a multi-scale simulation methodology on a residential neighborhood renovation…
2017
Abstract Despite the acknowledged positive effects of vegetation at urban, neighborhood and building scales, there are still only limited comprehensive design tools for multi-scale evaluation of the microclimate and thermal benefits of plants and building-integrated vegetation (BIV) systems. The paper describes a case study in the city of Palermo (Italy) that applied simulation methodology to quantitatively assess the microclimate effects of different neighborhood and building retrofit scenarios where vegetation plays a main role. The simulation workflow moves from a micro-urban to a building scale assessment by linking the ENVI-met software to the building energy simulation program EnergyP…
Strategies, Technologies and Novel Components for the Architectural Integration of Photovoltaics
2015
La ricerca riguarda l'integrazione architettonica del fotovoltaico (FV) per il retrofit energetico del patrimonio edilizio esistente e la costruzione di edifici a energia zero (ZEB). L'obiettivo è lo studio e la successiva definizione di strategie, tecnologie e componenti innovativi per l'involucro edilizio che integrino il fotovoltaico, con particolare attenzione verso le tecnologie fotovoltaiche di nuova generazione. Il lavoro si concentra anche sull'ottimizzazione energetica e sull'analisi delle prestazioni di un componente innovativo per il BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics, letteralmente fotovoltaico integrato negli edifici) utile alla costruzione di involucri edilizi sostenibili…
Compressive response of substandard steel-jacketed RC columns strengthened under sustained service loads: From the local to the global behavior
2018
Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation on substandard partially steel jacketed RC columns strengthened under sustained loads and loaded until failure. The aim of the study is to compare the compressive response of preloaded columns with respect to the tests without preload to obtain a more realistic prediction of load-carrying capacity of structural columns after retrofitting under serviceability loads. The influence of the preload level, the delayed contribution of the confining device during the loading process and the time dependent effects are highlighted for the tested specimens. Based on the experimental observations, an analysis-oriented model is proposed for the …
Artificial neural network decision support tool for assessment of the energy performance and the refurbishment actions for the non-residential buildi…
2017
The public buildings sector represents one of the most intensive items of EU energy consumption; the application of retrofit solutions in existing buildings is a crucial way to reduce its impact. To facilitate the knowledge of the energy performance of existing non-residential buildings and the choice of the more adequate actions, Public Administrations (PA) should have the availability of proper tools. Within the Italian project "POI 2007-13", a database and a decision support tool, for easy use, even to a non-technical user, have been developed. A large set of data, obtained from the energy audits of 151 existing public buildings located in four regions of South Italy have been analysed, …
An exploratory study to investigate emotion elicited by immersive ambiances
2011
Food behaviour is modulated by the eating situation and environment. In a previous study, we investigated drink choices according to the ambiance by developing an immersive approach based on the concept of “having a drink in a bar”. Two bars (Modern vs. Traditional ambiance) were settled with a few piece of furniture (counter, tables and bar stools) made in raw wood for the Traditional bar and in blue retro-lighted translucent plastic for the Modern bar. A video-clip was projected on one wall: Red moving shapes associated to a “far west” music in the Traditional bar, and Blue moving bubbles associated to an “electro” music in the Modern bar. In each bar, 100 participants were asked which be…
The use of vegetation for social housing renovations: A case study in the City of Palermo
2013
The paper shows the first results of a research carried out at the University of Palermo, which aims to indentify sustainable strategies for the renovation of social housing in the Mediterranean Basin, with focus on the use of vegetation as strategy for the enhancement of urban microclimate and thermal comfort. To achieve these goals the social housing complex of Medaglie d’Oro in the city of Palermo was chosen as case study in order to carry out some analyses for the assessment of outdoor comfort parameters of the area. By means of numerical simulations performed with the software ENVI-met, the actual state of the area was evaluated and four scenarios of renovation strategies through the i…
Effectiveness of isolated vertical extension of masonry buildings as nonconventional TMD
2023
In this paper, the strategy of Intermediate Isolation System (IIS) is proposed for the vertical extension of an aggregate of masonry buildings located in Pozzuoli, south Italy. The effectiveness of IIS working as a nonconventional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) for the existing construction is assessed in terms of reduction of seismic demand and damage in the masonry structure undergoing inelastic deformation under seismic input. For this aim, a general step-by-step procedure is first defined and then applied to the case study building. In particular, the characterization of dynamic behaviour and seismic capacity of the building aggregate is first addressed through modal and push over analyses. El…
Monitoring of the effect of solar radiation and rain on the building envelope with integrated vertical vegetation
2022
The goal of the present paper is the verification of the improvement of the performance of a building envelope with a green wall also in conditions of high irradiance (≥0.6 kW/m2) and with variable meteorological conditions (sunny, cloudy, and rainy), with a focus on intense rainfall and tempest. The object of the analysis has been the Innovation and Technology for Development Center in the University Campus of the Polytechnics of Madrid, where a modular system of integrated vertical vegetation has been installed on the skin of the South and West prospects. The study is based on the analysis of the effective thermoregulation capacity of the system in different climatic situations and has be…
EXPERIMENTAL SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF MONUMENTS FOR RISK MITIGATION
2008
An experimental investigation, at the moment in progress, for the evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of a monumental structure and the effects of some reinforcement devices are presented. Referring to this monumental structure, that is a church, the authors obtained the dynamically identified analytical model and recognized that the drum-dome system was one of the macro-elements with highest risk. This result was obtained by analyzing the linear behaviour. In order to study the nonlinear behaviour, tests on reduced scale models were necessary. The models, with and without risk mitigation reinforcements, were subjected to seismic input with rising intensity in order to know the effects …
The Role of Local Administrations in the Energy Retrofit of Public Buildings: a Case Study
2022
Recent regulations, and related incentives, concerning urban sustainability issued at European and national level place particular attention on improving the energy and environmental performance of buildings. In this sense, a particular focus has been placed on public buildings (offices, schools, hospitals, etc..), being these centers of gravitation of social life. Among the EU strategies on this matter is an initiative called Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), through which local administrators, based on the knowledge of their territory, are called to establish appropriate energy strategies and commit to achieving their targets within the timeframe set by the EU. The prese…