Hipólito Sousa

Numerical analysis of the energy improvement of plastering mortars with phase change materials

Building components with incorporated phase change materials (PCMs) meant to increase heat storage capacity and enable stabilization of interior buildings surface temperatures, whereby influencing the thermal comfort sensation and the stabilization of the interior ambient temperatures. The potential of advanced simulation tools to evaluate and optimize the usage of PCM in the control of indoor temperature, allowing for an improvement in the comfort conditions and/or in the cooling energy demand, was explored. This paper presents a numerical and sensitivity analysis of the enthalpy and melting temperature effect on the inside building comfort sensation potential of the plastering PCM.

A system for the management of old building retrofit projects in historical centres: the case of Portugal

The retrofitting works in old buildings require appropriate knowledge of the vernacular techniques. Previous researches have identified retrofitting works as more intrusive and using more unnecessary demolition materials than real needs. This study constitutes a new framework that focuses on the project management success of old building retrofitting in historical centres by developing a methodological system for this purpose. It uses a construction sector system approach, reviews legal requirements, framework specifications, recommendation practices and sustainable measures adapted to old building projects. It presents 50 parameters adapted to these works’ specificities that could be used by construction market stakeholders. The research uses a case study methodology divided in two parts. The first one involves the review of building retrofitting projects in historical centres, complemented by a questionnaire in the second part. The results of the projects review have shown little concern with the underlying sustainability aspects of retrofitting works in all project designs analysed. However, the questionnaire results have revealed a high interest and applicability of all parameters omitted in the project designs data. The study describes a useful management system in a toolkit format which might contribute to reduce uncertainty in the management of retrofitting projects in historical centres.

Geometric improvement of the existing bagacina (lapilli) concrete masonry base unit and development of a new masonry system composed by accessory units for the construction in the Azores islands

Resumen es: El archipielago de las Azores es una region remota de pequenas dimensiones y con bajos niveles poblacionales donde las cuestiones de la sostenibilidad y ...

Design of Façades

In spite of the importance that the vertical envelope of buildings has always had, nowadays unquestionably a greater value is given to image and to an attempt to make the most of the potentialities and bold use of technique as well as materials. In recent years this greater emphasis on image and on a set of requirements concerning comfort and durability in particular, has witnessed the need for specialised technical involvement in new areas such as the envelope of buildings.

Economic Relevance of Building Elements—Studies, New Framework, Evolutions and Support for Refurbishment Operations

A supported decision-making based on aspects as the construction costs is considered essential in different stages of the construction process. The awareness of the relevance of each part of a building in its global cost is also helpful to the several actors involved and to a more efficient project management. Naturally, the economic relevance of each part of a building can be considerately different as it is influenced by many factors, namely the technical solutions applied, the construction products, the dimension of the construction, the type of use and the age of the design. The present work is focused on this topic. Through a review of the several studies performed in Portugal until present time concerning cost breakdown structures (CBS) of residential buildings and developing new studies to fill the information gaps it is intended to provide a perspective of the evolutions occurred. Besides the analysis of the main changes, the work also proposes a different approach and update for the work breakdown structure (WBS) in which the CBS’s are organized. From the data collected it is possible to state that significant changes have happened in the CBS’s of the Portuguese residential buildings since the 1980s.

CONTRIBUTION OF NUMERICAL THERMAL SIMULATION OF MASONRY TO THE GLOBAL OBJECTIVE OF BUILDINGS ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The challenge of reduce energy consumption in buildings is fundamental for the near future, considering the impact of buildings in the overall energy needs. Buildings enclosure is a constructive element with a high impact on buildings thermal behavior. Masonry is yet the most popular and used solution to produce buildings external walls. Consequently, the improvement of the thermal resistance of those walls is fundamental. The masonry materials industry, including masonry units, mortars, insulation and finishes is very concerned about this problem, which is complex because there are several constraints namely the wall thickness, enough mechanical resistance and the price. The development of new materials and systems must be very well supported for a good level of knowledge of its behavior, including thermal. Experimental testing in laboratory conditions is expensive for several characteristics and numerical simulations based on the 2D or 3D finite element models are implemented. In this paper a numerical sensibility analysis of the thermal performance of a new masonry system is presented. This analysis was applied to a lightweight concrete masonry system tested in laboratory in order to evaluate the influence of the thermal properties of the constituent materials. The numerical simulations are based on 3D FE model. The main results are presented and discussed.