The Experts below are selected from a list of 114621 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Xi Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A Proposed New Weighting System for Passive Design Approach in BEAM Plus
    Energy Procedia, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Weilong Zhang
    Abstract:

    Abstract Building environmental assessment method (BEAM) has been practiced by local architects and engineers as references for green building Design over the last 20 years. The current version of BEAM Plus v1.2 has introduced the Passive Design concept to make the rating scheme in line with the state-of-art energy efficient Design in the world. However, the introduced Passive Design approach is criticized for its arguable criteria allocation, unjustified weighting system and incompatibility with the existing whole building energy simulation approach. In view of these flaws, a new weighting system based on different global sensitivity analysis methods, robust energy end-use statistics and a green building case study is proposed in this article. The total available credits of sub-criteria are determined according to the ratio of the cooling and lighting energy consumption in the total end-use energy data of residential buildings. Eventually, the priorities of assessment criteria are derived from the sensitivity analysis of a generic building model based on a simultaneous variation of different Design parameters. The results from this research can help stakeholders in a green building project to identify Design strategies with the largest impact over building performance and obtain an optimized preliminary Design in the early planning stage.

  • Developing a robust assessment system for the Passive Design approach in the green building rating scheme of Hong Kong
    Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Tao Wang
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper proposed a renovated Passive Design assessment system for green building labelling based on robust energy end-use statistics, different global sensitivity analysis methods, modelling experiments and a detailed case study. The developed system is only applied to cooling and lighting related criteria, which are mainly influenced by selected Passive Design strategies. After a preliminary definition of the assessment framework and total available credits, the priorities of different sub-criteria are derived from sensitivity analyses of a generic building model with screening-based, variance-based and regression methods. Adjustment of assessment criteria is also performed according to significance tests and post optimization analyses. Furthermore, performance and grading scales are formulated with baseline requirements, optimization results and local sensitivity analyses. Eventually, the FAST (Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test) method is proved to generate the most appropriate weighting system considering the consistence of the credit prediction with the traditional whole building simulation approach. Findings from this research can guide decision-makers in the construction industry to obtain an optimized preliminary Design by properly allocating resources and investments under a prescriptive evaluation approach starting from the early planning stage. The research Design can also be applied to determine the assessment system for other performance-based criteria in a green building assessment scheme.

  • Parametric study of Passive Design strategies for high-rise residential buildings in hot and humid climates: miscellaneous impact factors
    Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Yuanhao Wang
    Abstract:

    This paper focuses on the application of sensitivity analysis (SA) to typical Passively Designed high-rise residential buildings in hot and humid climates by considering multiple indoor environmental indices and impact factors. The sampling based Monte Carlo Analysis (MCA) is adopted to carry out multiple regression analyses between selected input parameters and output indices. Input parameters including the building layout, envelope thermophysics, building geometry and infiltration & air-tightness extensively cover each aspect of Passive Design strategies to improve the sustainability of buildings, while miscellaneous output indices represent major indoor environment factors such as lighting, ventilation and thermal comfort conditions addressed by the local green building guidance. A dynamic simulation program generates all required outputs based on input parameters by constructing a generic building model with different assumptions of internal loads, ventilation control methods, running periods and weather conditions. The calculated sensitivity indices on different output indices chances with simulation control variables, whereas the window solar heat gain coefficient and window to ground ratio are consistently among the most influential Design factors. In addition, ASHRAE Adaptive Comfort Standard with 90% Acceptability is determined to be the most adequate assessment method of the building thermal comfort in hot and humid climates similar to Hong Kong. This proposed SA approach accounts for most identified impact factors in a Passively Designed building and can therefore help conceive potential sustainable solutions in early architectural Design stages.

  • An exhaustive parametric study on major Passive Design strategies of a typical high-rise residential building in Hong Kong
    Energy Procedia, 2016
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive sensitivity analysis (SA) of the typical High-rise residential building in Hong Kong. A generic building model is constructed with proposed natural ventilation strategies subject to the examination of thermal comfort criteria. The numerical modelling exhaustively investigate the thermal and energy responses based on the variation of different Passive Design parameters. The parametric studies with respect to multiple output indices are able to prove that the window solar heat gain coefficient is the most influential architectural Design factor. Different thermal comfort models including the Adaptive Comfort Standard (ACS) and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) are compared in estimating the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for the generic building. It is believed that sensitivity analysis benefit the identification of important inputs to facilitate further optimization of the building performance in initial plan stages.

  • a comprehensive sensitivity study of major Passive Design parameters for the public rental housing development in hong kong
    Energy, 2015
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Weilong Zhang
    Abstract:

    This paper presents a comprehensive SA (sensitivity analysis) of the typical PRH (public rental housing) development in Hong Kong based on a combined building energy, daylight and AFN (airflow network) simulation. A generic building model is constructed with a proposed MM (mixed-mode) ventilation control strategy to fulfill the thermal comfort requirement in the local green building guidance. The numerical modeling results are used to conduct both local and global sensitivity analyses to determine the relative importance of major Passive Design parameters, which comprehensively cover Design aspects of the building layout, envelop thermophysics, building geometry and infiltration & air-tightness. The calculated global and local sensitivity indices on the cooling energy prove that the window solar heat gain coefficient, window to ground ratio, external obstruction and overhang projection fraction are the four most influential Passive Design factors. Similar results are also obtained when the lighting energy is specified as the output of the sensitivity analysis. The optimized building model derived from the sensitivity analysis is anticipated to achieve an energy saving of 41.6% compared to the baseline model as stipulated by the local building regulation. It is believed that sensitivity analysis is useful for identifying crucial Design parameters to facilitate further optimization of the building performance in early architectural Design stages.

Shady Attia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Sensitivity Analysis of Passive Design Strategies for Residential Buildings in Cold Semi-Arid Climates
    Sustainability, 2020
    Co-Authors: Waqas Ahmed Mahar, Griet Verbeeck, Sigrid Reiter, Shady Attia
    Abstract:

    Buildings are significant drivers of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Improving the thermal comfort of occupants in free-running buildings and avoiding active and fossil fuel-based systems is the main challenge in many cities worldwide. However, the impacts of Passive Design measures on thermal comfort in cold semi-arid regions are seldom studied. With the rapid urbanization and the widespread use of personalised heating and cooling systems, there is a need to inform building Designers and city authorities about Passive Design measures that can achieve nearly optimal conditions. Therefore, in this study, a global sensitivity analysis of the impact of Passive Design parameters on adaptive comfort in cold semi-arid climates was conducted. A representative residential building was simulated and calibrated in Quetta, Pakistan, to identify key Design parameters for optimal thermal comfort. The results list and rank a set of Passive Design recommendations that can be used widely in similar climates. The results show that among the investigated 21 Design variables, the insulation type of roof is the most influential Design variable. Overall, the sensitivity analysis yielded new quantitative and qualitative knowledge about the Passive Design of buildings with personalised heating systems, but the used sensitivity analysis has some limitations. Finally, this study provides evidence-based and informed Design recommendations that can serve architects and homeowners to integrate Passive Design measures at the earliest conceptual Design phases in cold semi-arid climates.

Hongxing Yang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A Proposed New Weighting System for Passive Design Approach in BEAM Plus
    Energy Procedia, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Weilong Zhang
    Abstract:

    Abstract Building environmental assessment method (BEAM) has been practiced by local architects and engineers as references for green building Design over the last 20 years. The current version of BEAM Plus v1.2 has introduced the Passive Design concept to make the rating scheme in line with the state-of-art energy efficient Design in the world. However, the introduced Passive Design approach is criticized for its arguable criteria allocation, unjustified weighting system and incompatibility with the existing whole building energy simulation approach. In view of these flaws, a new weighting system based on different global sensitivity analysis methods, robust energy end-use statistics and a green building case study is proposed in this article. The total available credits of sub-criteria are determined according to the ratio of the cooling and lighting energy consumption in the total end-use energy data of residential buildings. Eventually, the priorities of assessment criteria are derived from the sensitivity analysis of a generic building model based on a simultaneous variation of different Design parameters. The results from this research can help stakeholders in a green building project to identify Design strategies with the largest impact over building performance and obtain an optimized preliminary Design in the early planning stage.

  • Developing a robust assessment system for the Passive Design approach in the green building rating scheme of Hong Kong
    Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Tao Wang
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper proposed a renovated Passive Design assessment system for green building labelling based on robust energy end-use statistics, different global sensitivity analysis methods, modelling experiments and a detailed case study. The developed system is only applied to cooling and lighting related criteria, which are mainly influenced by selected Passive Design strategies. After a preliminary definition of the assessment framework and total available credits, the priorities of different sub-criteria are derived from sensitivity analyses of a generic building model with screening-based, variance-based and regression methods. Adjustment of assessment criteria is also performed according to significance tests and post optimization analyses. Furthermore, performance and grading scales are formulated with baseline requirements, optimization results and local sensitivity analyses. Eventually, the FAST (Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test) method is proved to generate the most appropriate weighting system considering the consistence of the credit prediction with the traditional whole building simulation approach. Findings from this research can guide decision-makers in the construction industry to obtain an optimized preliminary Design by properly allocating resources and investments under a prescriptive evaluation approach starting from the early planning stage. The research Design can also be applied to determine the assessment system for other performance-based criteria in a green building assessment scheme.

  • Parametric study of Passive Design strategies for high-rise residential buildings in hot and humid climates: miscellaneous impact factors
    Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Yuanhao Wang
    Abstract:

    This paper focuses on the application of sensitivity analysis (SA) to typical Passively Designed high-rise residential buildings in hot and humid climates by considering multiple indoor environmental indices and impact factors. The sampling based Monte Carlo Analysis (MCA) is adopted to carry out multiple regression analyses between selected input parameters and output indices. Input parameters including the building layout, envelope thermophysics, building geometry and infiltration & air-tightness extensively cover each aspect of Passive Design strategies to improve the sustainability of buildings, while miscellaneous output indices represent major indoor environment factors such as lighting, ventilation and thermal comfort conditions addressed by the local green building guidance. A dynamic simulation program generates all required outputs based on input parameters by constructing a generic building model with different assumptions of internal loads, ventilation control methods, running periods and weather conditions. The calculated sensitivity indices on different output indices chances with simulation control variables, whereas the window solar heat gain coefficient and window to ground ratio are consistently among the most influential Design factors. In addition, ASHRAE Adaptive Comfort Standard with 90% Acceptability is determined to be the most adequate assessment method of the building thermal comfort in hot and humid climates similar to Hong Kong. This proposed SA approach accounts for most identified impact factors in a Passively Designed building and can therefore help conceive potential sustainable solutions in early architectural Design stages.

  • An exhaustive parametric study on major Passive Design strategies of a typical high-rise residential building in Hong Kong
    Energy Procedia, 2016
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive sensitivity analysis (SA) of the typical High-rise residential building in Hong Kong. A generic building model is constructed with proposed natural ventilation strategies subject to the examination of thermal comfort criteria. The numerical modelling exhaustively investigate the thermal and energy responses based on the variation of different Passive Design parameters. The parametric studies with respect to multiple output indices are able to prove that the window solar heat gain coefficient is the most influential architectural Design factor. Different thermal comfort models including the Adaptive Comfort Standard (ACS) and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) are compared in estimating the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for the generic building. It is believed that sensitivity analysis benefit the identification of important inputs to facilitate further optimization of the building performance in initial plan stages.

  • a comprehensive sensitivity study of major Passive Design parameters for the public rental housing development in hong kong
    Energy, 2015
    Co-Authors: Xi Chen, Hongxing Yang, Weilong Zhang
    Abstract:

    This paper presents a comprehensive SA (sensitivity analysis) of the typical PRH (public rental housing) development in Hong Kong based on a combined building energy, daylight and AFN (airflow network) simulation. A generic building model is constructed with a proposed MM (mixed-mode) ventilation control strategy to fulfill the thermal comfort requirement in the local green building guidance. The numerical modeling results are used to conduct both local and global sensitivity analyses to determine the relative importance of major Passive Design parameters, which comprehensively cover Design aspects of the building layout, envelop thermophysics, building geometry and infiltration & air-tightness. The calculated global and local sensitivity indices on the cooling energy prove that the window solar heat gain coefficient, window to ground ratio, external obstruction and overhang projection fraction are the four most influential Passive Design factors. Similar results are also obtained when the lighting energy is specified as the output of the sensitivity analysis. The optimized building model derived from the sensitivity analysis is anticipated to achieve an energy saving of 41.6% compared to the baseline model as stipulated by the local building regulation. It is believed that sensitivity analysis is useful for identifying crucial Design parameters to facilitate further optimization of the building performance in early architectural Design stages.

Hasim Altan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Improving energy efficiency of school buildings during winter season using Passive Design strategies
    Sustainable Buildings, 2020
    Co-Authors: Sahar Zahiri, Hasim Altan
    Abstract:

    Passive building Design can improve energy efficiency of buildings, while providing comfortable indoor environment for occupants with minimum mechanical energy use. The foundation of Passive Design depends on natural sources of energy, which uses building architecture and surrounding environment to minimise heating and cooling loads of buildings with minimum operating and maintenance costs. The correlation of local climate with shape and thermal performance of buildings is one of the main considerations of Passive Design approach to reduce energy use and increase thermal comfort of occupants. This paper focuses on a series of field studies and building simulation analysis to improve thermal performance of female secondary school buildings in the city of Tehran in Iran during winter season using Passive Design strategies. The field studies included measuring indoor air temperature, as well as a questionnaire-based survey in a cold winter season in a typical female secondary school building. The on-site monitoring assessed indoor air temperature of classrooms while the occupants completed questionnaires covering their thermal sensations and thermal preferences. Moreover, building thermal simulation analysis were carried out using DesignBuilder tool to evaluate and improve thermal performance of classrooms based on students' thermal requirements and Passive Design strategies. The simulation analysis started from the basic school building model, investigating various Passive Design strategies to predict the optimum Design strategies for the case study. The simulation results determined how to provide classrooms that are more comfortable for students with minimum energy use. The results of the field studies indicated that indoor thermal environment were usually comfortable for female students based on 7-point ASHRAE scale. However, most of the occupants preferred their indoor thermal environment to be improved. Moreover, simulation results showed that building fabrics and thermal properties, as well as glazing and orientation had significant impacts on indoor air temperature and thermal comfort and using appropriate Passive Design strategies could improve energy efficiency of the building considerably. Therefore, in order to enhance indoor thermal environment and to increase learning performance of students, it is necessary to use appropriate low energy methods, which can reduce the needs for mechanical energy systems and hence save energy.

  • The Effect of Passive Design Strategies on Thermal Performance of Female Secondary School Buildings during Warm Season in a Hot and Dry Climate
    Frontiers in Built Environment, 2016
    Co-Authors: Sahar Zahiri, Hasim Altan
    Abstract:

    This paper describes a series of field studies and simulation analysis to improve the thermal performance of school buildings in the city of Tehran in Iran during warm season. The field studies used on-site measurement and questionnaire-based survey in the warm spring season in a typical female secondary school building. The on-site monitoring assessed the indoor air temperature and humidity levels of six classrooms while the occupants completed questionnaires covering their thermal sensations and thermal preferences. Moreover, thermal simulation analysis was also carried out to evaluate and improve the thermal performance of the classrooms based on the students’ thermal requirements and Passive Design strategies. In this study, the environmental Design guidelines for female secondary school buildings were introduced for the hot and dry climate of Tehran, using Passive Design strategies. The study shows that the application of Passive Design strategies including south and south-east orientation, 10cm thermal insulation in wall and 5cm in the roof, and the combination of 30cm side fins and overhangs as a solar shading devices, as well as all-day ventilation strategy and the use of thermal mass materials with 25cm-30cm thickness, has considerable impact on indoor air temperatures in warm season in Tehran and keeps the indoor environment in an acceptable thermal condition. The results of the field studies also indicated that most of the occupants found their thermal environment not to be comfortable and the simulation results showed that Passive Design techniques had a significant influence on the indoor air temperature and can keep it in an acceptable range based on the female students’ thermal requirement. Therefore, in order to enhance the indoor environment and to increase the learning performance of the students, it is necessary to use the appropriate Passive Design strategies, which also reduce the need for mechanical systems and therefore reduce the energy loads of the building.

  • reDesigning terraced social housing in the uk for flexibility using building energy simulation with consideration of Passive Design
    Sustainability, 2015
    Co-Authors: Hasim Altan, Nicola Gasperini, Sam Moshaver, Antonio Frattari
    Abstract:

    A chosen case study house forms the basis of this paper, which is a pilot energy-efficient social housing project, completed by one of the largest housing developers in the UK. The main aim of this study is to inform the reDesign of flexible energy-efficient housing units. The housing, Designed for social tenants, was built by the Accent Group in 2005, using modern construction methods and sustainable materials, based on extensive research from the adaptable and “Grow Home” principles of Avi Friedman as well as open building implementation. The first pilot scheme was Designed in collaboration with the Building Energy Analysis Unit at the University of Sheffield, together with the Goddard Wybor Practise, and was a successful housing development with respect to being environmentally friendly and a low-energy Design scheme for the UK climate. This paper presents reDesigning of flexible terraced housing units, and their performance evaluation, using a building simulation method as well as the Passive-house planning package. The aim was to plan a row of terraced houses that can not only utilize a flexible Design concept in floor planning layout, but also to reduce energy consumption with a Passive Design with particular attention paid to material selection. In addition, building simulation work has been carried out with the use of DesignBuilder software for both thermal and energy performance evaluation. The study examines the annual energy performance and comfort conditions in the Designed house to be situated in the Northeast of England, UK. A terraced house unit Design is considered a flexible home that can adjust to the needs of different tenants for the purpose of achieving a sustainable building under different aspects, such as low energy, low carbon, use of renewables, and low impact materials, with flexibility by Design.

Jiaping Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Analysis on the Passive Design Optimization for Unit-Divided Apartment Building in Lhasa Based on Survey and Simulation
    Advanced Materials Research, 2011
    Co-Authors: Jiaping Liu
    Abstract:

    During a time when environmental issues are one of the biggest problems in the world, the development and growth of developing cities can no longer be discounted. As a typical developing city, the building energy consumption of Lhasa had a large scale increase with the living standard enhancement of people. Through the local measurements, the information as indoor air temperature, the evaluation of the thermal environment and so on was collected. The result shows the existed residential buildings used the direct gain system and the attached solar space system spontaneously. However, the indoor thermal environment still needs to be improved. Considered that Lhasa was classified into central heating area, it will face the problem of huge increasing of the heating energy. The basic models of direct solar gain system were established for studying the affecting rules of Passive Design elements. The last result gives suggestion for the local residential building Design.

  • Development of Passive Design zones in China using bioclimatic approach
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2006
    Co-Authors: Joseph C. Lam, Liu Yang, Jiaping Liu
    Abstract:

    This paper presents the work on development of Passive Design zones for different climates in China. A total of 18 cities representing the five major climatic types, namely severe cold, cold, hot summer and cold winter, mild and hot summer and warm winter were selected for climatic analysis. Measured weather data were gathered and analysed. A bioclimatic approach was adopted in which the comfort zone and 12 monthly climatic lines were determined and plotted on the psychrometric chart for each city. From these bioclimatic charts, the potential use of Passive Design strategies such as solar heating, natural ventilation, thermal mass with/without night ventilation and evaporative cooling was assessed. A total of nine Passive Design strategy zones were identified, and appropriate Design strategies suggested for both summer and winter consideration.