10 research outputs found
A1–A5 Embodied Carbon Assessment to Evaluate Bio-Based Components in Façade System Modules
Get PDFAs the construction industry moves toward sustainable building practices, incorporating wood-based materials into building envelope systems has become a priority. This paper investigates the environmental impact of three custom bio-composite Façade System Modules (FSMs) through an Embodied Carbon Assessment (ECA), focused on the Global Warming Potential indicator of life cycle stages from cradle to practical completion (A1–A5). The evaluated FSMs were developed within the Basajaun H2020 project (G.A. 862942), by substituting and combining conventional materials with other bio-composite products to form hybrids from bio-based polymers and wood. A benchmark ECA was conducted, simulating alternative FSMs devised with common practice solutions for the curtain wall façade to facilitate a comprehensive comparison. The life cycle inventory encompassed detailed technical information, fostering the utilization of primary data for accuracy. The study particularly highlights considerations over three technological systems of the modules that incorporate increased use of wood-based components and a novel bio-composite material: the frame profiles, the insulation equipment, and the seal system. Despite the challenges due to the Basajaun FSMs’ weight, the findings reveal that replacing the currently used materials with wood-based materials and bio-composites reduced the embodied emissions, particularly substituting aluminum frame profiles. The insights presented here offer indicators toward circular, environmentally conscious, bio-composed building envelopes, emphasizing the need for continued analysis and refinements as a consequence of increasing the accuracy of the available primary data from the supply chain and concerning end-of-life scenarios
Data-driven and LCA-based Framework for environmental and circular assessment of Modular Curtain Walls
No full textTo assist the sustainable development of the building sector, designers require tools illustrating the most viable design options. This paper, starting by presenting the opportunities and limitations of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and Digital Product Passport (DPP) instrument when applied to Custom Modules for Curtain Walls, proposes a Semantic Data-driven Framework to facilitate the design of low-carbon and circular façade modules. Based on literature and the practical outcome of the H2020 project Basajaun, this framework integrates computer-aided technologies that manufacturing companies commonly employ to automate an efficient sustainability assessment process using primary data. This solution innovates industrial process management and architectural design and supports the creation of greener products. It also facilitates the output of documents supporting end-of-life scenarios. The development methodology involves investigating required quantitative project data, environmental factors, and circularity information, as well as the definition of flowcharts for the Life Cycle Inventory, extending a best practice for the façade module’s DPP. Furthermore, the methodology implicates data collection and IT implementation and organisation. This is through the definition of an ontology conceived for interconnection between digital systems. The findings shall contribute to implementing the LCA and DPP practices for custom prefabricated façade modules and suggest areas for further development. Challenges include obtaining and sharing data on environmental impacts and circularity, but involving stakeholders and addressing technical limitations can improve sustainability
Testing Activities for Technological and Normative Validation of Bio-Based Components in Façade System Modules
Get PDFThis research explores the development and validation activities of a bio-based façade system within the Basajaun H2020 project, focusing on enhancing the utilization of bio-based components within building envelopes to replace conventional solutions with eco-friendly alternatives. This paper reports the methodologies employed to detect requirements and outline the testing protocols undertaken to validate the façade system design devised within the project, focusing on the original façade components as the biocomposite profile. Vision and opaque façade modules are prototyped and tested following curtain wall standards for performance (EN 13830:2015) and acoustic assessments (EN ISO 717-1:2020) to showcase the efficacy of the developed solution. The conducted tests demonstrate the feasibility of integrating bio-based components as alternatives to conventional materials into building envelopes, aligning with project expectations and prevailing standards for curtain wall façade solutions. Notably, the designed façade system meets technical conditions and research objectives. Nevertheless, the paper underscores the need for further refinements to facilitate solution industrialization and explore broader market applicability focusing on the biocomposite profile
Design and Simulation for Technological Integration of Bio-Based Components in Façade System Modules
Get PDFDriven by environmental sustainability concerns, the integration of bio-based components in curtain wall systems is gaining traction in both research and the construction market. This paper explores the development and validation of a bio-based façade system within the Basajaun H2020 project (2019–2024). The project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of introducing environmentally friendly bio-based components into the mature curtain wall façade industry. The paper focuses on identifying technological solutions for replacing key components such as frame profiles, insulation, and the tightness system with bio-based and less environmentally impactful alternatives, presenting the results achieved in the façade system design of the Basajaun project. These solutions aimed at creating a bio-composite-based curtain wall façade that adheres to the current building envelope standards and normative, implementing diverse façade typologies for vision panels, opaque sections, and integrated windows and, moreover, engineering the prefabrication process for industrialization and enabling wider market replication and simplified transport and installation. The results demonstrate that the Basajaun façade successfully integrates selected components and meets the performance requirements set by regulations: the façade is designed to withstand a maximum and typical wind load of 3.5 kN/m2 and a typical load of 1.5 kN/m2, the weighted sound reduction index obtained is Rw = 44 dB, and the thermal transmittance of the vision façade is 0.74 W/m2K while that of the entire opaque façade is 0.27 W/m2K (an additional internal wall is required to achieve the requested thermal transmittance)—the values are in accordance with reference standards and design requirements. However, questions remain regarding the workability of bio-based profiles as a commercially viable, ready-to-market solution that can replace traditional aluminum profiles in the curtain wall façade industry
Proyecto FACOMP. Nanocomposites para perfiles estructurales en muros cortina.
No full textOctubre de 2010 es la fecha prevista para la finalización del proyecto FACOMP, un estudio llevado a cabo por empresas y centros tecnológicos europeos y financiado por el VII Programa Marco de la Comisión Europea. Este equipo de trabajo se ha fijado como objetivo el desarrollo de materiales estructurales más ligeros y con mejores prestaciones térmicas y de durabilidad a partir del uso de nanocomposites poliméricos
Performance assessment of façade integrated glazed air solar thermal collectors
Get PDFPublisher Copyright: © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Present trends on solar thermal systems for building integration define the need of integrated solar technologies for façades. The integration of solar systems in façades allows for the direct connection of solar systems to heated spaces, and automated air solar collectors based on the trombe-mitchell provide a suitable technology for its adoption in multi-rise buildings with decentralized-individual HVAC systems in Central-European and Mediterranean heating dominated climates. This paper reviews the main principles of such building envelope components, and the construction and design considerations of two air-based solar thermal collectors. Full scale preliminary prototypes of these systems were tested at the KUBIK by Tecnalia test facility in an Oceanic Climate (Koppen Geiger Cfb zone). The observed thermal performance is analyzed, and the process of a full scale installation in a real building envelope retrofitting process of a building in Spain is reviewed.The research leading to the results reported in this work has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007–2013, projects Multifunctional Energy efficient Façade System (MeeFS, Grant Agreement no 285411) and Toolboxes for systemic Retrofitting (Retrokit, Grant Agreement no 314229).Peer reviewe
ADVANCED MATERIALS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY CLUSTER
Get PDFBuildings are the largest consumer of energy demand and the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. More than the 50% of the residential buildings in Europe were built before 1970; the renovation and upgrading of the existing buildings is a priority in the EU energy policies and in all the EU member states. Increasing focus on energy conservation necessitates the adoption of innovative materials. Government regulations and support for zero energy buildings provide an impetus to the adoption of innovative materials (Directive 2010/31/EU)
AMANAC is a collaboration and coordination platform across all the Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology EU funded projects functioning in the frame of the Energy Efficiency in Buildings public Private Partnership (EeB-PPP), whose activities address development of advanced materials, components and systems for the improvement of the energy efficiency in the built environment. AMANAC is the cluster of 29 projects, representing 255 project partners, out of which 63% are Large Enterprises or SMEs. AMANAC aims to maximize the impact of the AMANAC projects towards the European Industry and Society. More information about AMANAC can be found at http://amanac.eu/
The adoption of innovative materials in building envelopes offers a great potential for future design and construction. This is why the Journal of Facade Design and Engineering dedicates this special issue to this topic. JFDE is a firm partner for the distribution of scientific knowledge of the ICAE2015 International Congress on Architectural Envelopes (www.icae2015.com/en), organised by Tecnalia in San Sebastian, Spain.
The papers presented in this current issue originate from five AMANAC research projects that researched new advanced materials and systems for energy efficient buildings. The works have been selected among the AMANAC project research results, initially presented in a special Session at the ICAE2015. The extended papers have been subjected to the regular double, blind review process of the journal
Data-driven and LCA-based Framework for environmental and circular assessment of Modular Curtain Walls
Get PDFPublisher Copyright: © 2024 TU Delft. All rights reserved.To assist the sustainable development of the building sector, designers require tools illustrating the most viable design options. This paper, starting by presenting the opportunities and limitations of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and Digital Product Passport (DPP) instrument when applied to Custom Modules for Curtain Walls, proposes a Semantic Data-driven Framework to facilitate the design of low-carbon and circular façade modules. Based on literature and the practical outcome of the H2020 project Basajaun, this framework integrates computer-aided technologies that manufacturing companies commonly employ to automate an efficient sustainability assessment process using primary data. This solution innovates industrial process management and architectural design and supports the creation of greener products. It also facilitates the output of documents supporting end-of-life scenarios. The development methodology involves investigating required quantitative project data, environmental factors, and circularity information, as well as the definition of flowcharts for the Life Cycle Inventory, extending a best practice for the façade module's DPP. Furthermore, the methodology implicates data collection and IT implementation and organisation. This is through the definition of an ontology conceived for interconnection between digital systems. The findings shall contribute to implementing the LCA and DPP practices for custom prefabricated façade modules and suggest areas for further development. Challenges include obtaining and sharing data on environmental impacts and circularity, but involving stakeholders and addressing technical limitations can improve sustainability.Peer reviewe
Wood-for-construction supply chain digital twin to drive circular economy and actor-based LCA information
Get PDFPublisher Copyright: © 2025 The AuthorsThe integration of Digital Twin (DT) technologies and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the construction sector presents significant opportunities for improving resource efficiency, enhancing material traceability, and supporting circular economy strategies. However, the lack of standardized methodologies and data interoperability remains a major barrier to effective implementation. This study introduces the Forest to Building Digital Framework (F2BDF), a structured approach that combines DT technologies, actor-based LCA, and supply chain management digital tools to optimize the environmental performance of wood construction. The research is among the earliest to develop a digital system throughout the life cycle from the extraction of raw materials to the construction. The framework is built on a hierarchical structure where digitalized different actors’ subsystems within the supply chain generate real-time production data, feeding into a centralized backbone network. These data are the foundation for a decision support module designed to assess environmental impacts and evaluate circularity scenarios. The study integrates geospatial analysis (GIS), real-time manufacturing data (CAx and BIM), and digital product information. The validation process in an industrial setting exhibits how enhanced data integration can support real-time sustainability assessments with primary foreground data and optimize resource utilization. The results included enhanced material circularity options, data portability, and building materials tracking, as well as semi-automatically contributing to achieving more dynamic and actor-based LCA information. By digitizing multiple stakeholders and making product, production, and transportation data accessible via APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), widespread digital frameworks can offer a scalable solution for improving sustainability across the wood construction sector.Peer reviewe
The International Congress on Architectural Envelopes | Special issue -2018
No full textSpecial edition in collaboration with the International Congress on Architectural Envelopes (www.icae2018.eu), which is organise devery 3 years in San Sebastian (Basque Country, Spain).
The eleven articles found in this issue were carefully selected from 50 abstracts that will be presented during the scientific section of the congress. The final selected papers were subjected to the regular double-blind review process of the journal.
With this selection of papers, we want to give an overview of the traditional technologies that are normally discussed in the context of façades, while also making some mention of new technologies, which, some time ago, existed only in the realm of the laboratory but which have begun to appear in real buildings and construction in recent years. In fact, the main topic of the conference this year is the Envelope 4.0, and consequently the aim of the magazine. Under this title, the aim is to unify two elements: the architectural envelope, due to it being the main reason for holding the conference, and the term “Industry 4.0” as a representation of the need to improve the manufacturing, assembly, distribution, and installation processes of many of the products included in today’s envelopes in order to be competitive in the market
