Design and low energy ventilation solutions for atria in the tropics

A generic atrium building was designed to incorporate low energy solutions and features of both vernac�ular and contemporary South Asian architecture. To achieve low energy and comfort within the atrium space, some key design variables were examined by running a dynamic thermal model (DTM) for some representative cases. This DTM model was developed with multiple levels and zones to simulate the heat and air movement throughout the building and validated with the data measured in a real building of similar form. The modelling study was carried out to investigate the effects of two roof forms for the atrium and three low cost ventilation solutions on indoor thermal comfort. It reveals that low cost ven�tilation and acceptable comfort are achievable in this traditional form of architecture and low energy solutions and careful design can complement well its functional aspects and even enhance its aesthetic and practical qualities. The solar heat gain, air temperature, and mean radiant temperature in the atrium were used to assess the effectiveness of clerestory windows with opaque rooftop (i.e. side-lit model) as compared to the fully transparent glazed rooftop (i.e. top-lit model). Data on cooling loads, indoor air temperature, and mean radiant temperature were used to evaluate the design options with special consideration on local adaptable thermal comfort criteria. The possible effects of the research outcomes on the incorporation of atria are discussed at the end

A study on thermal environmental performance in atria in the tropics with special reference to Malaysia

This research investigated the thermal environmental performance of atria in the tropics. with special reference to Malaysia. The main design problems that affect the thermal and energy performance in existing Malaysian atria are overlighting and overheating due to the direct application of western top-lit atrium roof form. As such. this research proposed the side-lit atrium form which aimed at controlling direct sunlight as a way to improve thermal and energy performance of atria in the tropics. Based on the proposed conceptual atrium form, this research examined quantitatively some of the low energy design features and ventilation strategies that can possibly contribute to a better indoor thermal environmental perfonnance of atria in the tropics. The ultimate aim of this research is to propose design principles and guidelines for new low-energy atria in the tropics. The combined research methods are as follows: developing a conceptual low energy atrium form based on the vernacular design features to be used for computer modelling studies; calTying out field measurement and monitoring on an existing atrium building which provides validation data for dynamic thermal simulation program TAS: modelling exercise on the same monitored building using dynamic thermal modelling to develop confidence in cOlTectly modelling thermal stratification within the multi-level atrium: employing dynamic thermal modelling to model representative atrium forms (i.e. both side-lit and top-lit model) and examine quantitatively the effects of some of the key design parameters (i.e. wall-to-roof void area, roof overhangs, and internal solar blinds) on the thermal comfort and energy performance in atria due to both full natural ventilation and pressurised ventilation; and utilising computational Ouid dynamics (CFD) to complement the dynamic thermal simulation results, and to investigate quantitatively the thermal and ventilation performance within the atrium well in response to the changes of design parameters (i.e. varying the inlet to outlet opening area ratio and outlet" s alTangement). The research findings supported the research proposition and demonstrated the effectiveness of the side-lit form as a way to improve the thermal and energy performance with regard to users' thermal comfort in atria in the tropics. The main findings from both dynamic thermal simulation and computational Ouid dynamics (CFD) arc as follo\\s: full natural ventilation strategy is not viable for Ivlala\'sian atria: both suilicicnth hic:h \'.all- ......... .. .. ...... to-roof void area and extending high-level internal solar blinds can greatly improve the atrium's thermal performance particularly on occupied levels; sufficiently wide roof overhangs above the clerestory areas of the side-lit atrium form generally improves the thermal and energy performance within the central atrium throughout the year; reasonably comfortable thermal environment on occupied levels of a low-rise atrium can be achieved by only supplying cooler air at low-level with sufficient ventilation rate: sufficiently higher inlet to outlet opening area ratio can improve the thermal performance on the occupied levels; and with equal inlet and outlet opening area, changing the outlet" s arrangement (i.e. location and arrangement) would not significantly affect the atrium's thermal perforn1ance

Maintenance organization at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)

Proper maintenance of buildings is to extend the life span of buildings [1]. In order to maintain the buildings, apart from maintenance work, is the organization aspect, one of the important elements in building maintenance [3]. The organization will have to be carefully structured and designed so that the staff can function efficiently [8,9,10,11,13]. The staff will have to be given training from time to time so that they are acquainted with the current technology and to tackle the challenges [6,12]. The objectives of this study are to examine the current maintenance organizational structure, to identify the main problems faced by the maintenance staff, to evaluate the level of job satisfaction and to identify the types of training to be provided to the maintenance staff. The study is carried through questionnaires and interviews. A total of fifty (50) questionnaires are distributed to the respondents consisting of engineers, technical assistants and technicians. The data is analyzed using average index. From the study, it was found that the type of organization structure of the maintenance department in UTHM is of line and staff

Certain Building Materials with Respect to Their Thermal Properties as Well as to Their Impact to Environment

Thermal properties of certain building materials were studied with respect to environmental aspects. The building materials with significant insulation properties were laboratory tested using the special equipment based on Peltier module. During the experimental work, the samples of the following materials were tested: Expanded polystyrene (EPS), Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC): Ytong, Calcium Silicate Board: Super-Isol and Foam glass (Cellular Glass Insulation): PERINSUL. The temperature was measured directly in connection of material with the Peltier module as well as in the distances of 5mm, 27.5mm, 50mm and 95mm from the Peltier module. The temperature taken at the surface of Peltier module reached -22°C, a typical temperature in the cold winter season. The results of the laboratory experimental work were modelled using the graphic representation. Modelling the thermal distribution will help to determine the ideal material thickness in the design of the building insulation. 

Mitigation measures for significant factors instigating cost overrun in highway projects

Construction industry has created numerous employment opportunities and playing a role model in economic growth of Pakistan. This industry is facing serious and critical problem of cost overrun especially in highway sector in country Pakistan particularly in Sindh Province. The purpose of this study is to identify mitigation measures for significant factors of cost overrun in highway projects of Sindh Province. In this study, mixed-mode research approach has been used. Quantitatively, a structured questionnaire based on 64 common factors of cost overrun from in-depth literature review was developed and distributed to30 selected respondents among the client, contractor and consultant having more than 15 years of experience in handling highway projects in Sindh Province. The collected data was statistically analyzed using SPSS where 8 most significant factors of cost overrun were identified. Qualitatively, the identified eight most significant factors were then incorporated in open ended questionnaire and distributed to 30 selected experts for them to write possible mitigation measures for each of the significant factors. The data was then analyzed through content analysis technique to rank the mitigation measures according to their substantiality. The results of this study would be helpful for construction practitioners to be used as reference in taking up appropriate measures in controlling cost overrun in highways projects in Pakista

Construction manager’s technical competencies in Malaysian construction projects

Problems of Malaysian construction industry have often been associated, in part to incompetent construction manager (CM) when managing the construction projects. Although various education and training provisions have been introduced, critics argue that the provisions have not been effective. Central in the debate on the adequacy of the CM education and training offered is the answer to the question of “what constitutes the technical competency of the CM?” The purpose of this paper is to present the study that identifies the technical competencies required by the CM to address the question. Design/methodology/approach – Multi-layered thematic analysis of literature was first carried out to identify the technical competency elements. Then, interviews were undertaken to confirm the elements of competencies. It was followed with questionnaire surveys to test the validity of the technical competencies against different contractors’ category and grade/size. Findings – The findings suggest that the technical competencies of CM are generic, regardless of the size of construction organisation or the types of projects they undertake. A total of 16 CM technical competencies were identified which include the ability to manage: staff, materials, labour, plant, sub-contractors, safety, money, quality, time, environment, site administration, pre-construction activities, project closeout and handover, third parties, computer literacy, and construction contract. Originality/value – The findings suggest that generic education and training is possible to develop technically competent CM. It also provides insights to the CM technical competencies which the industry is expecting

Simulation of office’s operative temperature using ECOTECT model

Operative temperature (OT) is the significant evaluation criterion for occupant’s thermal comfort since it integrates dry bulb temperature (DBT) and mean radiant temperature (MRT) with their respective heat transfer coefficients weightage. This paper presents the comparison of simulated OT with the measured value of a selected office building. Field measurement was conducted on a two-storey office building in the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) campus. Then, the office building is modelled using Ecotect Thermal Analysis software. Simulation on the model was carried out to generate its OT and this value was compared with the measured value. It has been found that Ecotect program can be reasonably used in simulating OT as the mean discrepancies between both predicted and measured values are 1.6% for ground floor and 5% for first floor of the office because it is less then threshold value of 10% as agreed by most researchers

Improving thermal conductivity of fired clay brick using sawdust waste

The demand for energy efficient design and construction has become progressively important with the growing energy costs and increasing awareness on the effects of global warming. Global warming causes a higher temperature of the surrounding, which will give significant effect to the energy consumption in commercial and residential building. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the possibility of incorporating sawdust as an additive material to improve thermal insulation properties of clay brick through lowering its thermal conductivity value. This study uses three types of soils with the proportion of clay soil (80%), laterite soil (10%) and grey soil (10%). The percentages of sawdust waste used as an additive are 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% by weight. The laboratory works performed involve the geotechnical gradation, physical, mechanical, chemical composition and thermal conductivity of fired clay brick. There are two types of brick that were produced in this study, which are control brick (CB) and sawdust brick (SB). The results show that the thermal conductivity of fire clay brick improves with the increasing percentage of waste material. Therefore, in this study, it appears that the brick incorporated with 5% of the sawdust waste is the optimum value that can achieve 7.5 MPa of compressive strength, 23.01.56% of water absorption and 0.384 W/m˚C of thermal conductivity. Thus, 5% of sawdust waste is chosen as the optimum percentage that yields better fired clay brick. This study reveals that the sawdust is a potential waste material that can be used to improve the thermal property and as a sustainable construction material

Measures to Mitigate Causative Factors of Budget Overrun in Malaysian Building Projects

Completion of a construction within planned budget is one of the main criterion of project success, however budget overrun has become a recurring phenomenon in construction industry. Budget overrun can cause multiple negative effects such as loos of economy, disputes among construction stakeholders, project abandonment, and drop in construction activities. This study aims to identify causes of budget overrun in Malaysian Building projects and then to establish mitigation measures for the identified main causes. Literature review, questionnaire survey and interviews were used in this study. Detailed literature review results in identification of 28 causes of budget overrun. The main causes of budget overrun in building projects in Malaysia were investigated through a questionnaire survey of 83 contractors, 57 clients, and 40 owners. The feedback of questionnaire survey was analyzed statistically. The significant causes of budget overrun were:  improper planning, variation in materials price, poor site management, lack of communication between parties, frequent design changes, incompetent contractors, mistakes during construction, shortage of site workers, delay in material procurement, and   low speed of decisions making.   After questionnaire survey, interviews with 16 construction exports were carried out in order to develop mitigation measures for the top ten significant causes. On the basis of interviews, a list of mitigation measures for each of the top ten significant causes were established. The findings of this study can be useful for construction practitioners in controlling budget overrun and to achieve project success

Classification of Potential Risk Factors through HIRARC Method in Assessing Indoor Environment of Museums

Museums were established in Malaysia more than hundred years ago. Since the year 2005, Malaysia has been moving away from constructing new buildings in favor of refurbishing historic and old ones. A healthy environment at the museum building has been identified as one of the important element that must been considered. Here, IAQ has become an important factor to provide a healthy environment in the museum building, but it is not sure either IAQ in the museum building provide a good air quality or not.  So, the purpose of this study was conducted to determine the potential risk factor of the museum building by using the Potential Risk Categories, as a tool to identify the suitable location to conduct the indoor environment assessment at the museum building. Based on four mains criteria in the Potential Risk Categories, it is found that, out of 24 museum buildings, there were 8 museum buildings has been identified as a medium potential risk while 16 museum buildings are low potential risk. So, the selection of location based on Potential Risk Categories is important for the next step of indoor environment assessment at museum building, so that the most critical risk museum building could be assessed and suggestion could be provided to minimize the potential risk available in the museum building