Parametric study of the energy potential of a building’s envelope with integrated energy-active elements

Building structures with integrated energy-active elements (BSIEAE) present a progressive alternative for building construction with multifunctional energy functions. The aim was to determine the energy potential of a building envelope with integrated energy-active elements in the function of direct-heating, semi-accumulation and accumulation of large-area radiant heating. The research methodology consists in an analysis of building structures with energy-active elements, creation of mathematical-physical models based on the simplified definition of heat and mass transfer in radiant large-area heating, and a parametric study of the energy potential of individual variants of technical solutions. The results indicate that the increase in heat loss due to the location of the tubes in the structure closer to the exterior is negligible for Variant II, semi-accumulation heating, and Variant III, accumulation heating, as compared to Variant I, direct heating, it is below 1 % of the total delivered heat flux. The direct heat flux to the heated room is 89.17 %, 73.36 %, and 58.46 % of the total heat flux for Variant I, Variant II and Variant III, respectively. For Variant II and Variant III, the heat storage accounts for 14.84 %, and 29.86 % of the total heat flux, respectively. Variants II and III appear to be promising in terms of heat/cool accumulation with an assumption of lower energy demand (at least 10 %) than for low inertia walls. We plan to extend these simplified parametric studies with dynamic computer simulations to optimise the design and composition of the panels with integrated energy-active elements

Parametric study of the energy potential of a building’s envelope with integrated energy-active elements

Building structures with integrated energy-active elements (BSIEAE) present a progressive alternative for building construction with multifunctional energy functions. The aim was to determine the energy potential of a building envelope with integrated energy-active elements in the function of direct-heating, semi-accumulation and accumulation of large-area radiant heating. The research methodology consists in an analysis of building structures with energy-active elements, creation of mathematical-physical models based on the simplified definition of heat and mass transfer in radiant large-area heating, and a parametric study of the energy potential of individual variants of technical solutions. The results indicate that the increase in heat loss due to the location of the tubes in the structure closer to the exterior is negligible for Variant II, semi-accumulation heating, and Variant III, accumulation heating, as compared to Variant I, direct heating, it is below 1 % of the total delivered heat flux. The direct heat flux to the heated room is 89.17 %, 73.36 %, and 58.46 % of the total heat flux for Variant I, Variant II and Variant III, respectively. For Variant II and Variant III, the heat storage accounts for 14.84 %, and 29.86 % of the total heat flux, respectively. Variants II and III appear to be promising in terms of heat/cool accumulation with an assumption of lower energy demand (at least 10 %) than for low inertia walls. We plan to extend these simplified parametric studies with dynamic computer simulations to optimise the design and composition of the panels with integrated energy-active elements

Application of additional insulation to ETICS on surfaces with biocorrosion

The paper presents partial outputs from an experiment that demonstrated the impact of applying an additional insulation on an existing contact insulation system with a green-algae surface. The aim was mainly to detect the development of microorganisms in the gap between the original and the new insulation. The existing ETICS on the polystyrene-based contact thermal insulation system and EPS-based additional thermal insulation were used in the experiment. A theoretical modelling of temperature conditions showed that this type of doubling the insulation presented the highest risk of condensation of water in the gap between the insulation layers and that these conditions presented suitable humidity conditions for the growth of microorganisms. The reason for the experiment is to demonstrate the need to eliminate microorganisms before applying an additional thermal insulation to surfaces with biocorrosion. This is especially the case where EPS is used. The temperature and humidity parameters obtained during the experiment can be used to model the moisture regime in the gap of other types of insulations (e.g. MW, PUR, PIR.

Multi-Criteria Optimization of Mechanized Earth Processes and Its Impact on Economic and Environmental Sustainability

The optimization of mechanized construction processes has a very important impact on economic and environmental sustainability. Our analyses evaluate key factors that affect the quality, environment, and economics of mechanized earth processes. This paper also presents approaches in this area in Slovakia and abroad, and existing mathematical models for the optimal design of earthmoving machinery. The main goals of our paper are the proposal of a method of machine selection for excavation including a multi-criteria optimization method with software support and application and verification of this method in a model example. A total of nine scientific methods applied in our paper are analyzed. The key results of the research work in terms of the set goals are given in the Conclusion, where the key research results are summarized. The results of the research work presented in the paper have a direct impact on economic and environmental sustainability, which can be achieved already in the phase of construction preparation. Applications of information technologies in multi-criteria optimization of the selection of construction machines for earth processes enables their use in the BIM (building information modeling) model

On Use of Construction Technology Designs for Expert Opinions

This article describes the basic principles and results of an expert system for construction planning and management. In the field of expert opinions, the system greatly helps to determine the limit of unreasonably low construction prices on the basis of a rapid cost analysis. Additionally, it can determine the technologically shortest possible construction periods or can answer the question of whether it is possible to complete the construction in the specified period, provided that a certain amount of construction is currently underway, which is very useful in expert opinions. The system is based on modeling the construction process using the so-called construction technology network graphs. This method allows, among other things, to create and use so-called typical network graphs as preprepared models of individual types of objects in the form of computer files, which can be modified according to the spatial structure of real buildings or facilities when used in creating a feasibility study or efficient time and financial planning and management of the building process. The system also enables the automatic creation of quality assurance checklists (inspection and acceptance plans for quality assurance), environmental plans (plans for the elimination of adverse effects of construction activities on the environment), and safety and health plans. Direct links to the bills of quantities (list of works and supplies with numbering of individual items), budgets (list of works and supplies with prices), or production calculations, despite the operational records of the actual construction process also on the company’s accounting agenda, are available

Innovative Building Technology Implemented into Facades with Active Thermal Protection

The article focuses on the description of an innovative solution and application of active thermal protection of buildings using thermal insulation panels with active regulation of heat transfer in the form of a contact insulation system. The thermal insulation panels are part of a prefabricated lightweight outer shell, which together with the low-temperature heating and high-temperature cooling system creates an indoor environment. The energy source is usually renewable energy sources or technological waste heat. Research and development of an innovative facade system with active thermal protection is in the phase of computer simulations and preparation of laboratory measurements of thermal insulation panels with various combinations of energy functions. In the article we present theoretical assumptions, calculation procedure and parametric study of three basic design solutions of combined energy wall systems in the function of low-temperature radiant heating and high-temperature radiant cooling

Analyses of viral genomes for G-quadruplex forming sequences reveal their correlation with the type of infection

G-quadruplexes contribute to the regulation of key molecular processes. Their utilization for antiviral therapy is an emerging field of contemporary research. Here we present comprehensive analyses of the presence and localization of putative G-quadruplex forming sequences (PQS) in all viral genomes currently available in the NCBI database (including subviral agents). The G4Hunter algorithm was applied to a pool of 11,000 accessible viral genomes representing 350 Mbp in total. PQS frequencies differ across evolutionary groups of viruses, and are enriched in repeats, replication origins, 5UTRs and 3UTRs. Importantly, PQS presence and localization is connected to viral lifecycles and corresponds to the type of viral infection rather than to nucleic acid type; while viruses routinely causing persistent infections in Metazoa hosts are enriched for PQS, viruses causing acute infections are significantly depleted for PQS. The unique localization of PQS identifies the importance of G-quadruplex-based regulation of viral replication and life cycle, providing a tool for potential therapeutic targeting

Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 2 Verification by Experimental Measurement

This article is closely related to the oldest article titled Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 1 Analysis of Energy Functions by Parametric Study. It is a continuation of research that focuses on verifying the energy potential and functions of so-called active thermal protection (ATP). As mentioned in the first part, the amount of thermal energy consumed for heating buildings is one of the main parameters that determine their future design, especially the technical equipment. The issue of reducing the consumption of this energy is implemented in various ways, such as passive thermal protection, i.e., by increasing the thermal insulation parameters of the individual materials of the building envelope or by optimizing the operation of the technical equipment of the buildings. On the other hand, there are also methods of active thermal protection that aim to reduce heat leakage through nontransparent parts of the building envelope. This methodology is based on the validation of the results of a parametric study of the dynamic thermal resistance (DTR) and the heat fluxes to the interior and exterior from the ATP for the investigated envelope of the experimental house EB2020 made of aerated concrete blocks, presented in the article “Contribution to the research on active thermal protection—Part 1, Analysis of energy functions by the parametric study”, by long-term experimental measurements. The novelty of the research lies in the involvement of variant-peak heat/cooling sources in combination with RES and in creating a new, original way of operating energy systems with the possibility of changing and combining the operating modes of the ATP. We have verified the operation of the experimental house in the energy functions of thermal barrier, heating/cooling with RES, and without RES and ATP. The energy saving when using RES and ATP is approximately 37%. Based on the synthesis and induction of analogous forms of the results of previous research into recommendations for the development of building envelopes with energy-active elements, we present further possible outcomes in the field of ATP, as well as already realized and upcoming prototypes of thermal insulation panels

The Presence and Localization of G-Quadruplex Forming Sequences in the Domain of Bacteria

The role of local DNA structures in the regulation of basic cellular processes is an emerging field of research. Amongst local non-B DNA structures, the significance of G-quadruplexes was demonstrated in the last decade, and their presence and functional relevance has been demonstrated in many genomes, including humans. In this study, we analyzed the presence and locations of G-quadruplex-forming sequences by G4Hunter in all complete bacterial genomes available in the NCBI database. G-quadruplex-forming sequences were identified in all species, however the frequency differed significantly across evolutionary groups. The highest frequency of G-quadruplex forming sequences was detected in the subgroup Deinococcus-Thermus, and the lowest frequency in Thermotogae. G-quadruplex forming sequences are non-randomly distributed and are favored in various evolutionary groups. G-quadruplex-forming sequences are enriched in ncRNA segments followed by mRNAs. Analyses of surrounding sequences showed G-quadruplex-forming sequences around tRNA and regulatory sequences. These data point to the unique and non-random localization of G-quadruplex-forming sequences in bacterial genomes