Ageing Effects on the Thermal Performance of Two Different Well-insulated Buildings

Abstract To guarantee a comfortable accommodation to those who had their house destroyed or unfit due to the earthquake that in 2009 hit the city of L'Aquila, the "C.A.S.E. Project" (italian acronym for Complessi Antisismici Sostenibili ed Ecocompatibili – anti-seismic sustainable and environment -friendly complexes) was foreseen and realized: it entailed the realization of complexes of buildings, built according to italian seismic and energy-efficiency requirements. After 7 years, the ageing effects on the thermal performance of the opaque envelope have been investigated out with thermographic surveys and heat flow meter measurements, on two buildings realized with different typologies, both belonging to C.A.S.E. Project

Measuring the water content in wood using step-heating thermography and speckle patterns-preliminary results

The relationship between wood and its degree of humidity is one of the most important aspects of its use in construction and restoration. The wood presents a behavior similar to a sponge, therefore, moisture is related to its expansion and contraction. The nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of the amount of moisture in wood materials allows to define, e.g., the restoration procedures of buildings or artworks. In this work, an integrated study of two non-contact techniques is presented. Infrared thermography (IRT) was able to retrieve thermal parameters of the wood related to the amount of water added to the samples, while the interference pattern generated by speckles was used to quantify the expansion and contraction of wood that can be related to the amount of water. In twenty-seven wooded samples, a known quantity of water was added in a controlled manner. By applying advanced image processing to thermograms and specklegrams, it was possible to determine fundamental values controlling both the absorption of water and the main thermophysical parameters that link the samples. On the one hand, results here shown should be considered preliminary because the experimental values obtained by IRT need to be optimized for low water contents introduced into the samples. On the other hand, speckle interferometry by applying an innovative procedure provided robust results for both high and low water contents.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Economy and Competitiveness Minister under project TEC2016-76021-C2-2-R; Jose Castillejo Grant CAS17-00216 by the Spanish Minister of Education, Culture and Sports

Evaluating the freeze–thaw phenomenon in sandwich-structured composites via numerical simulations and infrared thermography

The water ingress phenomenon in sandwich-structured composites used in the aerospace/aeronautical sector is a current issue. This type of defect can cause in the course of time several other defects at the boundary, such as corrosions, deformations, detachments. In fact, water may change its state of physical matter going towards the freeze–thaw cycle caused by the atmosphere re-entry of, e.g. space probes. In this work, the alveoli of a composite laminate have been filled with water, which was initially transformed into ice. By taking into account, the known quantity of water, the freeze–thaw cycle was simulated by Comsol Multiphysics® software, reproducing exactly the shape of the sandwich as well as the real conditions in which it was subsequently subjected in a climatic chamber. The experimental part consisted of monitoring the front side of the specimen by means of a thermal camera operating into the long-wave infrared spectrum, and by setting both the temperature and the relative humidity of the test chamber according to the values imposed during the numerical simulation step. It was found that the numerical and experimental temperature trends are in good agreement with each other since the model was built by following a physico-chemical point-of-view. It was also seen that the application of the independent component thermography (ICT) technique was able both to retrieve the positions of the defects (i.e. the water inclusions) and to characterize the defects in which a detachment (fabricated between the fibres and the resin) is present; the latter was realized above an inclusion caused by the water ingress. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that ICT is applied to satisfy this purpose.Postprint (author's final draft

Acinetobacter baumannii Resistance to Sulbactam/Durlobactam: A Systematic Review

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) have limited therapeutic options. Sulbactam-durlobactam is a combination of two beta lactamase inhibitors with activity against CRAB under phase 3 clinical investigation. We performed a systematic review on in vitro studies reporting A. baumannii resistances against sulbactam/durlobactam. We considered "resistant" species to be those with MIC >= 8 mg/L. Ten studies were included in the review (9754 tested isolates). Overall, 2.3% of A. baumannii were resistant to sulbactam/durlobactam, and this percentage rose to 3.4% among CRAB subgroups and to 3.7% among colistin-resistant strains. Resistance was 100% among metallo beta-lactamase-producing strains. Overall, in 12.5% of cases, sulbactam/durlobactam resistance was associated with the production of NDM-1, in 31.7% of cases with the substitutions in the PBP3 determinants, and in the remaining cases the resistance mechanism was unknown. In conclusion, A. baumannii resistance towards sulbactam/durlobactam is limited, except for MBL-producing strains

Impact modelling and a posteriori non-destructive evaluation of homogeneous particleboards of sugarcane bagasse

With a view to gaining an in-depth assessment of the response of particleboards (PBs) to different in-service loading conditions, samples of high-density homogeneous PBs of sugarcane bagasse and castor oil polyurethane resin were manufactured and subjected to low velocity impacts using an instrumented drop weight impact tower and four different energy levels, namely 5, 10, 20 and 30 J. The prediction of the damage modes was assessed using Comsol Multiphysics ® . ®. In particular, the random distribution of the fibres and their lengths were reproduced through a robust model. The experimentally obtained dent depths due to the impactor were compared with the ones numerically simulated showing good agreement. The post-impact damage was evaluated by a simultaneous system of image acquisitions coming from two different sensors. In particular, thermograms were recorded during the heating up and cooling down phases, while the specklegrams were gathered one at room temperature (as reference) and the remaining during the cooling down phase. On one hand, the specklegrams were processed via a new software package named Ncorr v.1.2, which is an open-source subset-based 2D digital image correlation (DIC) package that combines modern DIC algorithms proposed in the literature with additional enhancements. On the other hand, the thermographic results linked to a square pulse were compared with those coming from the laser line thermography technique that heats a line-region on the surface of the sample instead of a spot. Surprisingly, both the vibrothermography and the line scanning thermography methods coupled with a robotized system show substantial advantages in the defect detection around the impacted zone

Defining the Thermal Features of Sub-Surface Reinforcing Fibres in Non-Polluting Thermo–Acoustic Insulating Panels: A Numerical–Thermographic–Segmentation Approach

Natural fibres present ozone-friendly solutions in the field of construction. The attenuation of the sound and heat losses is an important feature in such type of materials above all, when used in non-woven fabrics and fibre-reinforced composites. Hemp fibres show robust insulation performance; this research work should be considered beneficial to the development of a non-destructive thermographic methodology, which can address the thermal barrier (typically applied on multi-layer panel) effects. The intent is to assess the integrity of the sub-surface reinforcing glass fibres; such integrity state will help confer the rigidity and the resistance to mechanical stresses. The testing proposed in this study can be further developed in a laboratory right after the manufacturing process of similar type of components. The testing needs preliminary numerical simulations to help guide the selection of the appropriate pre- and post-processing algorithms combined with or without segmentation operators. A set of numerical and experimental tests were performed through controlled thermal stimulation while recording the thermal responses. The study also highlights the advantages, disadvantages, and future development of the presented technique and methodologies

The impact of chest CT body composition parameters on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients

We assessed the impact of chest CT body composition parameters on outcomes and disease severity at hospital presentation of COVID-19 patients, focusing also on the possible mediation of body composition in the relationship between age and death in these patients. Chest CT scans performed at hospital presentation by consecutive COVID-19 patients (02/27/2020-03/13/2020) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain pectoralis muscle density and total, visceral, and intermuscular adipose tissue areas (TAT, VAT, IMAT) at the level of T7-T8 vertebrae. Primary outcomes were: hospitalization, mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or death, death alone. Secondary outcomes were: C-reactive protein (CRP), oxygen saturation (SO2), CT disease extension at hospital presentation. The mediation of body composition in the effect of age on death was explored. Of the 318 patients included in the study (median age 65.7 years, females 37.7%), 205 (64.5%) were hospitalized, 68 (21.4%) needed MV, and 58 (18.2%) died. Increased muscle density was a protective factor while increased TAT, VAT, and IMAT were risk factors for hospitalization and MV/death. All these parameters except TAT had borderline effects on death alone. All parameters were associated with SO2 and extension of lung parenchymal involvement at CT; VAT was associated with CRP. Approximately 3% of the effect of age on death was mediated by decreased muscle density. In conclusion, low muscle quality and ectopic fat accumulation were associated with COVID-19 outcomes, VAT was associated with baseline inflammation. Low muscle quality partly mediated the effect of age on mortality.We assessed the impact of chest CT body composition parameters on outcomes and disease severity at hospital presentation of COVID-19 patients, focusing also on the possible mediation of body composition in the relationship between age and death in these patients. Chest CT scans performed at hospital presentation by consecutive COVID-19 patients (02/ 27/2020-03/13/2020) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain pectoralis muscle density and total, visceral, and intermuscular adipose tissue areas (TAT, VAT, IMAT) at the level of T7-T8 vertebrae. Primary outcomes were: hospitalization, mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or death, death alone. Secondary outcomes were: C-reactive protein (CRP), oxygen saturation (SO2), CT disease extension at hospital presentation. The mediation of body composition in the effect of age on death was explored. Of the 318 patients included in the study (median age 65.7 years, females 37.7%), 205 (64.5%) were hospitalized, 68 (21.4%) needed MV, and 58 (18.2%) died. Increased muscle density was a protective factor while increased TAT, VAT, and IMAT were risk factors for hospitalization and MV/death. All these parameters except TAT had borderline effects on death alone. All parameters were associated with SO2 and extension of lung parenchymal involvement at CT; VAT was associated with CRP. Approximately 3% of the effect of age on death was mediated by decreased muscle density. In conclusion, low muscle quality and ectopic fat accumulation were associated with COVID-19 outcomes, VAT was associated with baseline inflammation. Low muscle quality partly mediated the effect of age on mortality

The thermophysical behaviour of cork supports doped with an innovative thermal insulation and protective coating: A numerical analysis based on in situ experimental data

In this work, the thermal potentialities of insulation panels made of cork have been explored by means of a numerical approach based on experimental data. A comparative analysis between the panel in unaltered state, and then covered with an innovative shield coating (COIB 250®) was carried out. In addition, a defect simulating an inner detachment of the panel was fabricated to understand its behaviour during a daily solar thermal load. The site was selected ad hoc to avoid any shadow cast effect on the panel itself and any conduction phenomenon from the surrounding area. The external floor on which the panel was mounted was completely isolated from the soil. Two similar days with clear sky conditions were selected, real meteorological data recorded by a weather station installed near the inspected site and data deriving from a NASA software were used respectively for the ambient temperature and for the solar radiation, in order to provide a solid discussion of the findings. Results show how a cork panel, usually employed in civil engineering as an insulation system, may benefit a lot of a shield coating. The latter product tends also to minimize the impact of a subsurface detachment during the thermal conduction via heat transfer; this behaviour will be in-depth clarified in this work