Modelling and validation of a single-storey flexible double-skin façade system with a building energy simulation tool

Double skin facades are adaptive envelopes designed to improve building energy use and comfort performance. Their adaptive principle relies on the dynamic management of the cavity's ventilation flow and, when available, of the shading device. They can also be integrated with the environmental systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation. However, in most cases, the possible exploitation of the ventilation airflow is not fully enabled, as the adoption of only one or two possible airpath limits the possibility that this facade architecture offers, meaning that flexible interaction with the environmental systems cannot be planned. This work aims to develop, using an existing software tool for building energy simulation, a numerical model of a flexible double-skin facade module capable of fully exploiting the adaptive features of such an envelope concept by switching between different cavity ventilation strategies. Leveraging the "Double Glass Facade" component available in IDA ICE, a new model for a flexible double-skin facade module was developed, and its performance in replicating the thermophysical behaviours of such a dynamic system was assessed by comparison with experimental data collected through a dedicated experimental activity using one the outdoor test cells of the TWINS facility in Torino (Italy). The accuracy of the predictions of the new model for a flexible double-skin facade was in line with that obtained by the conventional "Double Glass Facade" component to simulate traditional double-skin facades. The mean bias errors obtained were lower than 1.5 degrees C and 4 W/m2, for air and surface temperature values and for transmitted long-wave or short-wave heat flux values, respectively. By establishing a new archetype model to study the performance and optimal integration of a large class of double-skin facade modules, including fully flexible ones, this work demonstrates the possibility of modifying existing models in building energy simulation tools to study unconventional building envelope model solutions such as adaptive facade systems

Vacuum Insulation Panels: Analysis of the Thermal Performance of Both Single Panel and Multilayer Boards

The requirements for improvement in the energy efficiency of buildings, mandatory in many EU countries, entail a high level of thermal insulation of the building envelope. In recent years, super-insulation materials with very low thermal conductivity have been developed. These materials provide satisfactory thermal insulation, but allow the total thickness of the envelope components to be kept below a certain thickness. Nevertheless, in order to penetrate the building construction market, some barriers have to be overcome. One of the main issues is that testing procedures and useful data that are able to give a reliable picture of their performance when applied to real buildings have to be provided. Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) are one of the most promising high performing technologies. The overall, effective, performance of a panel under actual working conditions is influenced by thermal bridging, due to the edge of the panel envelope and to the type of joint. In this paper, a study on the critical issues related to the laboratory measurement of the equivalent thermal conductivity of VIPs and their performance degradation due to vacuum loss has been carried out utilizing guarded heat flux meter apparatus. A numerical analysis has also been developed to study thermal bridging effect when VIP panels are adopted to create multilayer boards for building applications

CD20: A target antigen for immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases

This article reviews the role of CD20 antigen in B cell function and the effectiveness and limits of passive immunotherapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Rituximab) in the treatment of autoimmune (or immune-mediated) diseases. Active immunotherapy is a more feasible way to control these chronic diseases. A peptide that mimics the CD20 epitope recognized by Rituximab is employed to stimulate the host immune response against CD20. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

HIEQLab, a facility to support multi-domain human-centered research on building performance and environmental quality

Researches on building performances and environmental quality can be performed through different approaches, including dynamic numerical simulations, in-field studies, full scale test facilities and living labs. Researches performed through full scale test facilities allow carrying out studies under controlled realistic conditions, directly involving the final users. Such approach can significantly improve the scientific research on energy efficient and healthy buildings by fostering a synergistic and user-centered innovation process. Within this context, at Politecnico di Torino, the TEBE group (Technology, Energy, Building and Environment) has designed and is realizing a full-scale facility, aimed at implementing researches on building Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and energy performance. The facility will enable multi-domain studies, including thermal, air quality, acoustic and lighting aspects, involving the final user in the research process. The paper describes the features of the facility and the challenges it was conceived to face

Design and control optimisation of adaptive insulation systems for office buildings. Part 1: Adaptive technologies and simulation framework

The increasing insulation levels imposed by building regulations have the effect of reducing heating energy use, while increasing cooling energy use and/or reducing thermal comfort especially in summer. Adaptive insulation technologies could provide an opportunity to reduce building energy use while simultaneously improving indoor environmental quality, but there is a lack of information about the performance of these novel technologies. This paper is the first of a two part study, which aims to evaluate the performance of adaptive insulation. Part 1 proposes a simulation framework for optimising adaptive insulation design and control parameters and explains its implementation. The customised simulation strategy optimises design and control aspects of adaptive building envelopes by minimising the total primary energy use and thermal discomfort within a building. Moreover the simulation model for adaptive insulation is validated qualitatively. Part 2 applies this framework in a parametric study to explore the potential of adaptive insulation.The British authors would like to acknowledge support from EPSRC Doctoral Training Grant (EP/K503009/1) and project RG70518, funded by Wintech ltd. The Chinese author would like to acknowledge the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51408427)

Design and control optimisation of adaptive insulation systems for office buildings. Part 2: A parametric study for a temperate climate

This paper is the second of a two part study, which aims to evaluate the performance of adaptive insulation. Part 1 proposes a simulation framework for optimising adaptive insulation design and control parameters, it describes its implementation, and validates the simulation strategy qualitatively. This second paper applies the simulation framework, by means of a parametric study on a specific building typology in a particular climatic region, to explore the potential of adaptive insulation in this context. Alternative adaptive insulation configurations and control strategies for opaque wall applications are evaluated, for an office room in a temperate climate of Shanghai, in order to optimise two design objectives: total primary energy saving and thermal comfort. It is found that adaptive insulation, when properly designed and controlled, has significant potential to improve both design objectives simultaneously. For the case study considered in this paper, yearly energy savings and thermal comfort improvements of up to 50% could be achieved by adaptive insulation compared to an equivalent astatic insulation alternative. The performance improvements of the adaptive insulation depend on the design choices (thermal mass, position of the adaptive insulation, switching range of insulation) and control strategy adopted.The Chinese author would like to acknowledge the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51408427). The British authors would like to acknowledge support from EPSRC Doctorial Training Grant (EP/503009/1) and project RG70518, funded by Wintech ltd. The authors would like to thank EU Cost Action TU1403 "Adaptive Facades Network" for providing excellent research networking

Development of advanced multifunctional façade systems: Thermo-acoustic modelling and performance

The development of lightweight a nd multifunctional curta in wa ll systems, which integra te different technological solutions, is a imed at a chieving increa singly higher requirements rela ted to energy efficiency a s well a s indoor environmental quality in nonresidentia l buildings. On one ha nd lightweight a nd thin fa çade elements present several a dvantages (such a s construction time, space, a nd transportation savings, less weight on primary structure etc.), while fa cing the cha llenge of gua ranteeing the required thermal a nd a coustic performance and achieving legisla tive compliance on the other. In the framework of the Horizon 2020 Project Powerskin+ a new concept of multifunctional fa çade, which combines high performance insulation, energy harvesting, heating system, a nd la tent heat storage capabilities is under development. Within the design process of the different sub -modules (opaque and tra nsparent), performance calculations a re carried out by means of existing simulation tools, or a d-hoc developed models for more complex systems. In this study, the authors present the main steps required to a ccelerate the simula tion-based design process a nd the future thermal and a coustic optimization of the novel lightweight a nd multifunctional façade element

Review of current status, requirements and opportunities for building performance simulation of adaptive facades^†

Adaptive building envelope systems have the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the energy flexibility of buildings, while maintaining high levels of indoor environmental quality. The development of such innovative materials and technologies, as well as their real-world implementation, can be enhanced with the use of building performance simulation. Performance prediction of adaptive facades can, however, be a challenging task and the information on this topic is scarce and fragmented. The main contribution of this review article is to bring together and analyze the existing information in this field. In the first part, the unique requirements for successful modeling and simulation of adaptive facades are discussed. In the second part, the capabilities of five widely-used building performance simulation tools are reviewed, in terms of their ability to model energy and occupant comfort performance of adaptive facades. Finally, it discusses various ongoing trends and research needs in this field.The authors would like to thank EU Cost Action TU1403 “Adaptive Facades Network” for providing excellent research networking. The Dutch authors acknowledge the support from RVO EOSLT08016 project FACET. The British authors would like to acknowledge the support from EPSRC and project RG70518, funded by Wintech ltd.This is the published manuscrip