2,104 research outputs found
Daylighting Performance of Solar Control Films for Hospital Buildings in a Mediterranean Climate
One of the main retrofitting strategies in warm climates is the reduction of the effects
of solar radiation. Cooling loads, and in turn, cooling consumption, can be reduced through the
implementation of reflective materials such as solar control films. However, these devices may
also negatively affect daylight illuminance conditions and the electric consumption of artificial
lighting systems. In a hospital building, it is crucial to meet daylighting requirements as well as
indoor illuminance levels and visibility from the inside, as these have a significant impact on health
outcomes. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence on natural illuminance conditions
of a solar control film installed on the windows of a public hospital building in a Mediterranean
climate. To this end, a hospital room, with and without solar film, was monitored for a whole year.
A descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the use of artificial lighting, illuminance levels and
rolling shutter aperture levels, as well as an analysis of natural illuminance and electric consumption
of the artificial lighting system. The addition of a solar control film to the external surface of the
window, in combination with the user-controlled rolling shutter aperture levels, has reduced the
electric consumption of the artificial lighting system by 12.2%. Likewise, the solar control film has
increased the percentage of annual hours with natural illuminance levels by 100–300 lux
The Acoustics of the Choir in Spanish Cathedrals
One of the most significant enclosures in worship spaces is that of the choir. Generally,
from a historical point of view, the choir is a semi-enclosed and privileged area reserved for the
clergy, whose position and configuration gives it a private character. Regarding the generation and
transformation of ecclesial interior spaces, the choir commands a role of the first magnitude. Its shape
and location produce, on occasions, major modifications that significantly affect the acoustics of these
indoor spaces. In the case of Spanish cathedrals, whose design responds to the so-called “Spanish
type”, the central position of the choir, enclosed by high stonework walls on three of its sides and
with numerous wooden stalls inside, breaks up the space in the main nave, thereby generating other
new spaces, such as the trascoro. The aim of this work was to analyse the acoustic evolution of the
choir as one of the main elements that configure the sound space of Spanish cathedrals. By means of
in situ measurements and simulation models, the main acoustic parameters were evaluated, both
in their current state and in their original configurations that have since disappeared. This analysis
enabled the various acoustic conditions existing between the choir itself and the area of the faithful
to be verified, and the significant improvement of the acoustic quality in the choir space to become
apparent. The effect on the acoustic parameters is highly significant, with slight differences in the
choir, where the values are appropriate for Gregorian chants, and suitable intelligibility of sung text.
High values are also obtained in the area of the faithful, which lacked specific acoustic requirements
at the time of construction
Indoor Air Quality Assessment: Comparison of Ventilation Scenarios for Retrofitting Classrooms in a Hot Climate
Current energy e ciency policies in buildings foster the promotion of energy retrofitting of
the existing stock. In southern Spain, the most extensive public sector is that of educational buildings,
which is especially subject to significant internal loads due to high occupancy. A large fraction of
the energy retrofit strategies conducted to date have focused on energy aspects and indoor thermal
comfort, repeatedly disregarding indoor air quality criteria. This research assesses indoor air quality
in a school located in the Mediterranean area, with the objective of promoting di erent ventilation
scenarios, based on occupancy patterns and carbon dioxide levels monitored on site. Results show
that manual ventilation cannot guarantee minimum indoor quality levels following current standards.
A constant ventilation based on CO2 levels allows 15% more thermal comfort hours a year to be
reached, compared to CO2-based optimized demand-controlled ventilation. Nevertheless, the latter
ensures 35% annual energy savings, compared to a constant CO2-based ventilation, and 37% more
annual energy savings over that of a constant ventilation rate of outdoor air per person
Passive strategies for energy optimisation of social housing in the Mediterranean climate
Los objetivos prioritarios del Horizonte 2020 han llevado a la actualización del Documento Básico de Ahorro de la Energía del CTE en 2013, introduciendo un nuevo modelo en las exigencias, basado en parámetros tecnológicos y constructivos, asociado a una mayor valoración de las condiciones arquitectónicas del edificio.
Este trabajo pretende analizar la repercusión del nuevo marco normativo en la vivienda social del área mediterránea, en la zona climática B4. Se plantea el análisis energético en un modelo base de bloque lineal entre medianeras al que se incorporan individualmente, distintas estrategias pasivas asociadas a la compacidad, materialidad de la envolvente, control solar, acumulación solar y ventilación, analizando la mejora de la demanda de energía, la calificación energética y el confort interior. La
consideración de la orientación, junto con la combinación de la mejora de las prestaciones energéticas de la envolvente térmica, de la tasa de ventilación y de la adecuada protección solar constituyen las principales acciones de mejora energética que permiten conseguir importantes reducciones de la demanda energética, de las emisiones de CO2 y mejora del confort interior.The main goals of Horizon 2020 have led to the updating of the Basic Document on Energy Saving of the Technical Building Code in 2013. The demands of the new model, based on technological and construction parameters, are associated with a more extensive assessment of the architectural conditions of buildings. This study aims to analyze the repercussion of the new regulations on Mediterranean social housing in climate zone B4. It proposes energy analysis on a basic model of a single linear block, adding different individual passive strategies relating to compactness, envelope material, solar control, solar accumulation and ventilation, analyzing the improvement in energy demand, energy rating and indoor comfort. The main energy improvement actions used take into account orientation as well as the combined improvement in energy performance of the thermal envelope, ventilation rate and suitable solar protection. These lead to major reductions in energy demand and CO2 emissions while improving indoor comfort conditions
Assessment of Indoor Environmental Quality for Retrofitting Classrooms with An Egg-Crate Shading Device in A Hot Climate
In the Mediterranean climate, a large number of educational buildings suffer from
discomfort due mostly to energy-deficient thermal envelopes and a lack of cooling systems.
Impending climate change is expected to worsen overheating in classrooms, especially during
heatwave periods. Therefore, the protection of window openings to reduce incident solar radiation
while maintaining adequate indoor environmental quality must be considered a necessary key focus.
The main objective of this research is to assess the influence of an egg-crate shading device on the
indoor environmental quality of a classroom in Southern Spain. To do so, two classrooms—with and
without this shading device—were simultaneously monitored over a whole year. The implementation
of an egg-crate shading device allowed for a significant reduction of the incident solar radiation,
both in summer and mid-season (around 45–50%), which objectively slightly conditioned indoor
operative temperatures. Given the noticeable influence of the user patterns observed, indoor
illuminance was also improved, as the rolling shutters tended to be opened at higher aperture levels
Thermal and Lighting Consumption Savings in Classrooms Retrofitted with Shading Devices in a Hot Climate
Most educational buildings in southern Spain do not meet current energy requirements as weak thermal envelopes and the lack of cooling systems lead to severe discomfort in classrooms, especially when temperatures are above 30 °C. Given that global warming is expected to worsen this situation in coming decades, one of the first steps to be taken is to protect window openings from high levels of solar radiation by adding shading devices to reduce indoor temperatures and improve visual comfort. The aim of this research is to evaluate the reduction in thermal and lighting consumption in a classroom where a solar protection system in the form of an egg-crate shading device was installed. Two classrooms—one with an egg-crate device and another with no shading system—were monitored and compared for a whole year. The use of an egg-crate device in these classrooms reduced indoor operative temperatures during warmer periods while also improving indoor natural illuminance levels. Moreover, annual electric air conditioning consumption decreased by approximately 20%, with a 50% reduction in electric lighting consumption. These savings in electricity were largely conditioned by the use patterns observed in these ambient systems.Spanish government BIA2014-53949-RMinistry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spanish GovernmentEuropean Regional Development Fun
Assessment of Indoor Environmental Quality for Retrofitting Classrooms with An Egg-Crate Shading Device in A Hot Climate
In the Mediterranean climate, a large number of educational buildings suffer from
discomfort due mostly to energy-deficient thermal envelopes and a lack of cooling systems.
Impending climate change is expected to worsen overheating in classrooms, especially during
heatwave periods. Therefore, the protection of window openings to reduce incident solar radiation
while maintaining adequate indoor environmental quality must be considered a necessary key focus.
The main objective of this research is to assess the influence of an egg-crate shading device on the
indoor environmental quality of a classroom in Southern Spain. To do so, two classrooms—with and
without this shading device—were simultaneously monitored over a whole year. The implementation
of an egg-crate shading device allowed for a significant reduction of the incident solar radiation,
both in summer and mid-season (around 45–50%), which objectively slightly conditioned indoor
operative temperatures. Given the noticeable influence of the user patterns observed, indoor
illuminance was also improved, as the rolling shutters tended to be opened at higher aperture levels
Mobile creation in communication studies and the challenge of its adoption in higher education
In the audio-visual industry it is increasingly common to find professional productions created with mobile devices, mobile journalism continues to grow, the smartphone market places increasing emphasis on camera quality and mobile cinema (created with smartphones) is more relevant every day. Yet despite this change at the industry level, the study 'Apps4CAV' reveals that future audio-visual creators receive no training in the use of mobile devices as part of their university courses. Communication and media students are aware of very few mobile applications for the production and distribution of audio-visual content and almost none for scriptwriting, pre-production and post-production. Moreover, they make scarce use of the wellknown apps and perceive mobile devices to be valid tools for audio-visual creation only in the personal sphere, but not for academic or professional work. Should our universities provide training to those future audio-visual professionals in the development of mobile creation skills
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