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Computer vision to advance the sensing and control of built environment towards occupant-centric sustainable development: A critical review
No full textAs urban development progresses, the built environment control has faced more critical challenges in improving energy efficiency, air quality, and environmental comfort. Occupant information (e.g., occupant status and behavior) sensing is a key but challenging aspect of built environmental control. Computer vision (CV) technology provides a new way for multi-dimensional information acquisition. However, a critical review is lacking in the cross-research area of CV and built environment control, particularly considering the technological advancements following the COVID-19 pandemic. This article reviews the latest advancements in the built environment from international sources, with a focus on the research frontier in four branches: ventilation and indoor air quality control, COVID-19 control, thermal environment control, and lighting control. Through critical comparisons and analyses, it demonstrates that CV technology can effectively sense highly dynamic built environments, which greatly enhances the data dimension, resolution and accuracy compared to existing sensing technologies. Reported data shows that CV technology achieved an average detection accuracy of about 95% for occupant-related information and 86% for comfort-related information. Effective methods to improve the accuracy include incorporating data fusion by using other sensors, upgrading algorithms, and improving the model training. Particularly, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven the development of mask detection and social distancing detection using CV. The challenges, future trends and potential applications are discussed. This study emphasizes the need for cross-field integration of CV and built environment to facilitate the sharing of cutting-edge techniques and knowledge, which will stimulate more innovations in the future
Assessment of the Thermal Properties of Buildings in Eastern Almería (Spain) during the Summer in a Mediterranean Climate
No full textWithin a context in which temperatures are increasing due to global warming, it is important to assess the capacity of buildings, old and modern, to respond to this new situation. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of understanding more about the thermal properties of traditional constructions. This study quantifies the impact of the high summer temperatures typical of the Mediterranean climate on traditional farmhouses in Eastern Almería (Spain). The study group of farmhouses was divided into three models representative of the different types of Eastern Almería vernacular architecture. Energy consumption in the three models was simulated using EnergyPlus. The three models were assessed in free-floating conditions. The window-to-wall ratio and U-factor values were studied in order to evaluate potential benefits in terms of energy efficiency. Outdoor and indoor temperatures were compared. Finally, an adaptive thermal comfort analysis was performed according to ASHRAE 55. Results highlight the ability of Eastern Almería farmhouses to mitigate extreme temperatures
An investigation of indoor thermal environments and thermal comfort in naturally ventilated educational buildings
No full textIndoor thermal conditions are essential in educational buildings. The health and well-being of students can be affected by a poor thermal environment, which also has a clear impact on building energy consumption. In this context, the indoor thermal environment in naturally ventilated university classrooms is explored in this study during a complete academic year. A monitoring campaign and a questionnaire survey were conducted simultaneously in higher education buildings in Spain. A total of 2115 sets of data were collected. Thermal sensation prediction indices (predicted mean vote, extended predicted mean vote and adaptive predicted mean vote) were applied to evaluate student’s thermal perception and their prediction accuracy was assessed. Additionally, two machine-learning models, based on Artificial neural network (ANN) and random forest (RF) algorithms, were formulated to predict occupants’ thermal sensation. The obtained results evidenced that the proposed ANN and RF models outperform traditional indices. Finally, it is also proposed an adaptive thermal comfort model. The results obtained suggest that students have a greater adaptive capacity to changes in environmental conditions than suggested by the ASHRAE-55 adaptive model and that they preferred an environment with lower temperatures than those suggested by the EN-16798 adaptive model
Sustainability Impact Unveiled: Validating a Multi- criteria tool for Assessing Citizen Initiatives
No full textNumerous studies highlight the pivotal role of Citizen Initiatives (CIs) in urban sustainability, yet existing methodologies often fall short in capturing their comprehensive neighborhood impact. This article validates the Multi-criteria tool for Assessing the Sustainability of CIs (MASCIs), specifically designed for the nuanced assessment of CIs on neighborhood sustainability. The primary objective is to thoroughly assess and validate MASCIs through a mixed-method approach, including interviews with fifteen experts surveyed on the system's suitability and application to six CIs in Barcelona. Results show that 53.33% of experts found current indicators suitable, with valuable suggestions for improvement. The implementation of the system in CIs validates the usefulness of the tool to quantify the impact of these initiatives in the community. The study reveals the nuanced nature of these initiatives, emphasizing context, stakeholder participation, and adaptability. This research enriches discussions on citizen-driven sustainability by addressing gaps in evaluation systems, deepening our understanding of their broader implications for urban development
Evaluation of the Level of Psychological Distress in Construction Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Spain
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic posed a major challenge for construction companies, which were confronted with the need to prevent the enormous negative socio-psychological impact of the pandemic on their employees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of psychological distress among construction workers in an advanced phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Andalusia, southern Spain. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using online questionnaires with data on sociodemographic variables and employment situation, COVID-19 pandemic-related data, and Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total of 860 questionnaires from all provinces of Andalusia, Spain, were collected between March and May 2022. Descriptive statistical analyses and non-parametric Mann–Whitney U and Chi-squared tests were performed, followed by logistic regression analysis. The incidence of psychological distress was higher among women, individuals under 43 years of age, those with a family income below EUR 1200, participants whose working conditions had been affected by the pandemic, those who had not received adequate means or specific training to protect themselves from infection, those who had experienced symptoms, those who had suffered side effects after vaccination, and those who had been hospitalised. The logistic regression analysis predicted the occurrence of psychological distress in this study by the effect of the pandemic on mental/emotional well-being, the working conditions affected during the pandemic, health-related variables, and the age of the worker. The correctly classified percentage was 75.1%. Assessing psychological distress in construction sectors may allow for the identification of vulnerable groups or even help to reduce the number of errors in daily practice and potential risks of occupational injury or illness
Reuse of wood biomass ash to improve thermal behavior of gypsum plasters
No full textHuge amounts of waste are generated each year in the world. In addition, the construction sector is one of the larger producers of residues and a huge energy consumer. Thus, architects, engineers and other actors of the building sector should give solutions in order to reduce that problem. In that sense, the idea of finding solutions for the end of the service life of materials, in order to promote circularity, has been studied by several researchers. In this study, biomass wood ash has been used as aggregate for the generation of new eco-efficient gypsum plasters, for its application in new buildings and rehabilitation works. In order to conduct an exhaustive characterization of the new composites, an experimental campaign of the plasters has been conducted: dry bulk density and thermal conductivity of the plasters have been measured. The results showed that it was possible to add up to 25% of wood ash without modifying the water/gypsum ratios. Moreover, thermal conductivity of the plasters has improved up to18% when the ash was added to the mixture. Finally, the effects of using the new gypsum composites in the thermal envelope of buildings was analyzed by its usage in a rehabilitation case study simulation
Holistic analysis to reduce energy poverty in social dwellings in southern Spain considering envelope, systems, operational pattern, and income levels
No full textEnergy renovations carried out in energy poor households should consider a holistic view in the short-, mid- and long-term, especially in warm areas such as Andalusia, in the south of Spain. This study addresses the existing knowledge gap on technological and economic interactions in the energy poverty of family units in warm areas of Spain. To do this, the study performs a parametric analysis. In this parametric analysis, a dataset of 36,230,400 instances was developed considering envelope, HVAC systems, an operational pattern (based on static and adaptive thermal comfort models), and family units’ income levels. Likewise, the energy poverty ratio was compared based on the high share of energy expenditure in income (2 M). The results showed that improving envelope and establishing adaptive operational patterns did not effectively reduce energy poverty cases in low-income families in the south of Spain. However, these strategies were appropriate in family units with greater incomes to remove energy poverty cases, regardless of the low reduction in energy consumption by improving the envelope. This study is a starting point to combine social aids, energy improvements and rational energy use through adaptive operational patterns
A Roof Refurbishment Strategy to Improve the Sustainability of Building Stock: A Case Study
No full textThe aging of the building stock in most cities highlights the relevance of refurbishment to achieve sustainability. Current refurbishment practices are often short-sighted and do not encompass holistic strategies beyond energy saving. This research study aims to analyze the factors involved in roof refurbishment versus current decision-making determinants. The objective is to identify the barriers that hinder their implementation and to find arguments to support roof renovations. A multicriteria analysis, which considered environmental, economic and performance factors, was employed to select optimal roof refurbishment solutions. This study evaluated five solutions. With interviews held with construction professionals and a survey of experts and homeowners, the preferences and criteria for making decisions about roof refurbishments were analyzed. Simulation tools were then used to estimate the energy savings, payback periods and environmental impact for a representative building in the study area. The results were extrapolated to a neighborhood level. The results highlight the importance of considering factors, such as weight, cost and user preferences when selecting suitable refurbishment solutions. The findings not only estimate the potential energy savings and carbon emission reductions in the area but also underscore the relevance of roof refurbishments for prolonging a building’s life span to contribute to sustainability
Evaluation of the efficacy of surface treatments for their subsequent use in the restoration of factories with high presence of salts. The case of Las Eras de la Sal in Torrevieja (Alicante)
No full textEn este trabajo se expone la metodología seguida y los resultados obtenidos en los estudios para evaluar la eficacia de varios tratamientos superficiales sobre las fábricas de Las Eras de la Sal de Torrevieja. El objetivo es seleccionar los mejores resultados para aplicarlos en futuras restauraciones. Las Eras de la Sal son un conjunto arquitectónico industrial de finales del siglo XVIII que sirvió de acopio, embarque y carga de sal ubicado en el centro de la ciudad de Torrevieja, en la costa sur de la Comunidad Valenciana. Los arcos de piedra que conforman las conexiones entre las eras y los muelles de carga se realizaron con calcarenita muy porosa procedente de la costa de Torrevieja. Actualmente dichos pétreos se encuentran extremadamente degradados por lo que se ha considerado oportuno evaluar la posible eficacia de diferentes tratamientos consolidantes para incrementar su durabilidad en el tiempo sin generar efectos secundarios negativos. Se han analizado las sales presentes en los muros, tratándose de halita. Se ha realizado la caracterización petrográfica de los pétreos que conforman los arcos. Se han localizado las canteras de extracción, lo que ha permitido la realización de probetas a las que se les han aplicado diferentes tratamientos consolidantes. Posteriormente se han realizado diferentes estudios y ensayos relacionados con las condiciones futuras a las que se verán sometidos los tratamientos una vez aplicados sobre las fábricas de Las Eras de la Sal. Se han efectuado estudios comparativos entre las mismas probetas sin tratar y una vez tratadas, evaluando la variación de color, comportamiento frente a la humedad de ascensión capilar, absorción de gotas, resistencia a la cristalización de sales y permeabilidad al vapor. También se han estudiado las modificaciones en la microtopografía observadas mediante SEM. Del análisis de los resultados se desprende que algunos tratamientos han modificado demasiado el color o la superficie reduciendo la permeabilidad al vapor por lo que se han considerado como poco apropiados para este uso. La resistencia a cristalización de sales ha funcionado bien en la mayor parte de los tratamientos a excepción del consolidante a base de silicatos de etilo.This paper presents the methodology followed and the results obtained in the studies to evaluate the effectiveness of various surface treatments on the factories of Las Eras de la Sal in Torrevieja. The objective is to select the best results to be applied in future restorations. Las Eras de la Sal is an industrial architectural complex dating from the end of the 18th century that was used to store, ship and load salt located in the center of the city of Torrevieja, on the southern coast of the Valencian Community. The stone arches that form the connections between the threshing floors and the loading docks were made with very porous calcarenite from the coast of Torrevieja. At present, these stones are extremely degraded, so it has been considered appropriate to evaluate the possible effectiveness of different consolidating treatments to increase their durability over time without generating negative side effects. The salts present in the walls have been analyzed, being halite. The petrographic characterization of the stones that make up the arches has been carried out. The extraction quarries have been located, which has allowed the realization of specimens to which different consolidating treatments have been applied. Subsequently, different studies and tests have been carried out related to the future conditions to which the treatments will be subjected once they have been applied to the Las Eras de la Sal factories. The extraction quarries have been located, which has allowed the realization of specimens to which different consolidating treatments have been applied. Subsequently, different studies and tests have been carried out related to the future conditions to which the treatments will be subjected once they have been applied to the Las Eras de la Sal factories. Comparative studies have been carried out between the same untreated and treated specimens, evaluating the color variation, behavior against capillary rising damp, droplet absorption, resistance to salt crystallization and vapor permeability. The changes in microtopography observed by SEM were also studied. From the analysis of the results it can be seen that some treatments have modified the color or the surface too much, reducing the vapor permeability and therefore they have been considered unsuitable for this use. Resistance to salt crystallization has performed well for most of the treatments with the exception of the ethyl silicate based consolidant
Calibrated models for effective clustering: Discriminating operation schedules in occupied buildings
No full textEuropean directives advocate for end-users to be aware of their energy consumption. However, individual energy monitoring tools, such as energy meters or cost allocators, are not always affordable or technically feasible to install. Therefore, the development of virtual tools that enable the study of energy consumption in existing buildings is necessary. Virtual sensors, particularly based on white-box models, offer the opportunity to recreate these behaviours. When calibrated with measured data, white-box models, which incorporate detailed building physics, become increasingly valuable for designing energy-efficient buildings. This research explores a novel approach to identifying building’s load period directly from energy data generated by these calibrated models. The volume of data generated by white-box models can be overwhelming for visual analysis, but the hypothesis here is that analysing this data through clustering techniques can reveal patterns related to occupant behaviour and operational schedules. By feeding indoor temperature data into the calibrated model and analysing the resulting energy outputs, the research proposes a method to identify the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system operation schedule, free oscillation periods and non-recurrent events. Validation is achieved by comparing the identified periods with actual measured data. This methodology enables the development of a virtual sensor for cost allocation, which minimises the need for physical sensor deployment while complying with European Union directives. The research not only demonstrates high accuracy but also the potential to outperform measured schedule. This suggests the ability of the method to identify missing sensor data or other factors affecting temperature curves, enabling fault detection and diagnostics (FDD). Consequently, this opens doors for setting optimised operation schedules that balance energy efficiency with occupant comfort