Aleš Krainer

Theoretical and experimental FUZZY modelling of building thermal dynamic response

In this paper this main advantages and disadvantages of two di5erent types of modelling: theoretical and experimental are presented and discussed. The theoretical modelling is based on energy balances, which gives the overall model described by di5erential equations. On the basis of developed theoretical model a complex simulator in the MATLAB-Simulink environment was implemented. The second part is devoted to experimental modelling. In this paper a fuzzy model represented by non-linear relations between input and output variables obtained by least-squares optimisation method is investigated. c � 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy evaluation of urban structure and dimensioning of building site using iso-shadow method

Abstract The paper presents the energy evaluation of urban structures and the dimensioning of building sites using the iso-shadow method. Iso-shadows represent the ratio of incident solar radiation on a building or land to unobstructed solar radiation received at the same location during the chosen period of time, day or year, respectively. This method enables quantitative evaluation of energy efficiency of the selected layout organisation. For the calculation of thermal flow the computer tool ‘SENCE’ (SHADOWS), developed at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, was used. Various building structures were investigated. First a building with reference floor geometry (length 60 m, width 12 m, height 6 m) was simulated. The site layout consisting of four parallel reference buildings was designed, taking into account the chosen minimum duration of solar radiation during the year, calculated with the iso-shadows module of the ‘SENCE’ programme. Then the building width was increased to 24 m and 36 m, respectively. Also the building height was varied in three steps, 6 m, 12 m and 18 m. The results of the simulations are presented in the form of iso-shadow charts. The comparison between various building types was made, taking into account: modified orientations, monitored density of residents and changed site size due to different building types. The evaluation of the results was carried out and the advantages and disadvantages of various building types are discussed. It was found that building width and height substantially influence the required site size, site layout and resident density.

Luminous flux and luminous efficacy of black-body radiation: an analytical approximation

Analytical expressions for calculation of luminous flux and luminous efficacy corresponding to a given radiant flux with black-body spectrum are presented. The results are directly applicable to extraterrestrial solar radiant flux and likewise to any other light source with a spectral distribution roughly equal to a black-body spectrum.

LIGHT WELLS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AS A COMPLEMENTARY DAYLIGHT SOURCE

This paper presents the results of the illumination measurements and analyses, carried out on the scale model of an energy conscious multi-storey apartment building using light wells as an additional source of daylight. The design of the building is based on a compact longitudinal structure consisting of east or west oriented flats with only one outer wall and a deep ground-plan. To additionally daylight the central areas of the building and at the same time to control the heat gains and losses, three types of innovative light-guiding systems with several variations were devised. The illuminance measurements on the scale models were carried out under an artificial sky. The measurements showed that the best results were obtained by using light well with wide upper and narrow lower part into which the reflecting wall was placed. In all the cases the reference values were reached.

Integral Control of Health Hazards in Hospital Environment

Hospitals present complex indoor environment with various users, health hazards and specific activities. This paper classifies health hazards specific to the hospital environment (HE), defines their interactions and possible impacts on human health and summarizes recommendations for biological and chemical hazards. A detailed literature review clearly shows that there is no developed system or method for integral control of health hazards in HE. There is no appropriate technology available that would allow development of optimal thermal comfort conditions for individual users in HE. For integral control of physical hazards, an innovative low exergy (LowEx) system was designed and tested. The system enables individual control of thermal comfort parameters to meet the needs of various users in the same room. It enables the design of optional conditions for healthcare and treatment considering the different requirements of individual patients and thermally neutral zones for other users. The system application is presented in a model room for burns patient. The measured energy use was lower by 11–27% for space heating and by 32–73% for cooling, when using LowEx system as compared to the conventional system. Owning to its flexibility, the system can also be used for other potential users.

Individualisation of personal space in hospital environment

The purpose of the paper is to test a Low Exergy heating and cooling system (LowEx system) that enables the creation of healing and comfort conditions for individual user with minimal possible energy use. The LowEx system was tested in a model room for burn patient and compared with the conventional one. Thermal comfort conditions were simulated for three individual users (burn patient, healthcare worker and visitor) energy use was measured. In a simulation, users were exposed to the required conditions for burn patient created with both systems. The LowEx system creates optimal conditions for burn patient with lower human body exergy consumption (hbExC) rate valid for thermoregulation, minimal evaporation, radiation and convection. For healthcare worker and visitor, the LowEx system creates individual thermal comfort zones. For the LowEx system, the measured energy use for heating was 11-27% lower and for cooling 32-73% lower than for the conventional system.

Harmonization of thermal and daylight flows with modelling, simulation and control system design in buildings

The paper deals with a specific problem in the wide area of intelligent buildings - with the harmonization of thermal and daylight flows. The first part describes some aspects of modelling and simulation of thermal phenomena. A complex simulator in Matlab Simulink environment was developed. A real process - a test chamber was also built for validation of mathematical modelling and control design. Different control algorithms were tested in simulation environment and on the real process-test chamber. Finally the illumination control by the aid of changeable properties in the chamber envelope - roller blind positioning, was also studied

Slovene Ethnographic Museum: SEM, a case study

This paper presents the technological part of activities executed in the framework of MUSEUMS Project Slovene Ethnographic Museum, Ljubljana, Slovenia. There were two main fields of inter-ventions: construction with new envelope design, new heating–cooling wall panel system, which replaced the originally designed air condition system and ventilation which is used for physiological and cooling purposes, and a control and management system which takes care of the best possible harmonization of the demands on the temperature, humidity and air quality level upgraded with a permanent monitoring system. We are obliged to stress, being aware of the environment in which this paper will appear, that the success of such projects depends on extensive collaboration of all involved partners from the very beginning.

User-Centred Healing-Oriented Conditions in the Design of Hospital Environments

Design approaches towards energy efficient hospitals often result in a deteriorated indoor environmental quality, adverse health and comfort outcomes, and is a public health concern. This research presents an advanced approach to the design of a hospital environment based on a stimulative paradigm of healing to achieve not only healthy but also comforting conditions. A hospital room for severely burn patient was considered as one of the most demanding spaces. The healing environment was designed as a multi-levelled, dynamic process including the characteristics of users, building and systems. The developed integral user-centred cyber-physical system (UCCPS) was tested in a test room and compared to the conventional system. The thermodynamic responses of burn patients, health care worker and visitor were simulated by using modified human body exergy models. In a healing environment, UCCPS enables optimal thermal balance, individually regulated according to the user specifics. For burn patient it creates optimal healing-oriented conditions with the lowest possible human body exergy consumption (hbExC), lower metabolic thermal exergy, lower sweat exhalation, evaporation, lower radiation and convection. For healthcare workers and visitors, thermally comfortable conditions are attained with minimal hbExC and neutral thermal load on their bodies. The information on this is an aid in integral hospital design, especially for future extensive renovations and environmental health actions.

Identification and Control of Health Risks in Hospital Environment from the Aspect of Users, Buildings and Systems

Izvleček Izhodišča: Bolnišnice predstavljajo kompleksno notranje okolje, v katerem so bolniki, zaposleni in obiskovalci izpostavljeni številnim dejavnikom tveganja za zdravje. Raziskav, ki bi obravnavale več dejavnikov tveganja hkrati, je danes malo. Ne izhajajo iz povezave med uporabniki, stavbo in sistemi. Namen metaanalize je prepoznati fizikalne, biološke in kemične dejavnike tveganja za zdravje v bolnišničnem okolju ter izdelati izhodišča za pripravo priporočil za njihovo preprečevanje in obvladovanje. Pri tem bomo upoštevali uporabnike ter življenjski cikel stavbe in sistemov. Metode: Opravili smo metaanalizo raziskav na področju fizikalnih, bioloških in kemičnih dejavnikov tveganj za zdravje v bolnišničnem okolju. Zajeli smo dve bibliografski bazi (Pub Med in Science Direct). V analizo je bilo vključenih 634 virov literature, ki so bili objavljeni med letoma 1934 in 2012. Izhodišča za pripravo priporočil smo izdelali po nadgrajeni metodi inženirskega načrtovanja. Rezultati: Na podlagi izsledkov metaanalize smo pripravili izhodišča za pripravo priporočil, ki vključujejo sistematične ukrepe, specifične za bolnišnično okolje. Preprečevanje fizikalnih dejavnikov tveganja za zdravje vključuje ukrepe s področja zakonodaje, načrtovanja stavbe in sistemov ter usposabljanja zaposlenih. Najpomembnejši ukrepi s področja bioloških in kemičnih dejavnikov tveganja za zdravje so: preprečevanje in obvladovanje poti prenosa povzročiteljev bolezni ter nadzor kemičnih onesnaževal v notranjem in zunanjem zraku. Zaključki: Metaanaliza predstavlja nov pristop k preprečevanju in obvladovanju fizikalnih, bioloških in kemičnih dejavnikov tveganja za zdravje v kompleksnem bolnišničnem okolju - od načrtovanja stavbe do njene uporabe in vzdrževanja. Učinkovitost stavbe in sistemov se doseže s celostnim upoštevanjem značilnosti uporabnikov, bolnišničnega okolja in rabe energije. Uporabljen pristop je tudi pogoj za načrtovanje stavb in sistemov; je temelj uspešnih prenov. Abstract Background: Hospitals represent a very complex indoor environment where patients, staff and visitors are exposed to numerous health risk factors. Studies where health risk factors specific to the hospital environment are represented together are for the moment scarce, and they do not arise based on the relationship between users, buildings and systems. The purpose of this study is to identify physical, biological and chemical health risk factors and to prepare starting points for elaboration of recommendations for their prevention and control. In doing so, we took into account users, life cycle of buildings and building systems. Methods: Meta-analysis was carried out studying physical, chemical and biological health risk factors in the hospital environment. We searched Pub Med and Science Direct for peer-reviewed publications from 1934 to 2012. 634 sources of literature were included. The starting points for the preparation of recommendations were made through an upgraded method of engineering design. Results: On the basis of meta-analysis, the starting points for the preparation of recommendations were made. They include systematically defined actions specific for the hospital environment. For the prevention of physical health risk factors, actions are defined on the level of legislation, building and system design as well as worker qualifications. For the prevention of biological health risk factors, actions in the chain of infection are included and control of outdoor and indoor air pollution is provided. Conclusions: This study presents a new approach to the prevention of physical, biological and chemical health risk factors in the complex hospital environment, from the design stages to the stage of usage and maintenance. Efficiency of buildings and systems is attained through a holistic approach, taking into account the characteristics of users, hospital environment and energy use. The presented approach is necessary for the design of buildings and building systems and a basis for successful renovations.