Vesna Stojakovic

Effect of tree location on mitigating parking lot insolation

Abstract Urban land used for parking lots can contribute to the effect of overheating, whereas vegetation, especially high growth vegetation (trees), can mitigate this effect. Accordingly, in this paper we propose an algorithm, the inputs to which consist of predetermined parameters of a parking lots geometry, trees and surrounding buildings, where the shadows help to mitigate the heat. The algorithm optimizes tree locations, aiming to provide maximum overshadowing of the parking lots, while leaving the useable parking area and the parking lot shape intact. The paper focuses on parameterization of elements that are important for this analysis process as well as combinatory calculations. These combinatory calculations are based on solar simulations, which are carried out, and take into account climate and geographical data. The algorithm is applied to several cases, depicting real world examples, as well as those based on design and greening instruction manuals. The results indicate that the tree locations estimated by the algorithm increase parking lot overshadowing, indicating that the algorithm efficiently decreases the negative influence of urban overheating.

An application of the shark skin denticle geometry for windbreak fence design and fabrication

Windbreak fences in open and urban areas can be used to effectively reduce the wind velocity. In this paper we examine how the geometrical shape of the windbreak fence can optimally mitigate wind velocity. We propose an approach for windbreak fence design based on a bionic parametric model of the shark skin denticle geometry, which improves the reduction of the wind velocity around and behind the windbreak fences. The generative model was used to estimate improvements by variations in the parameters of the fence panel’s geometrical shape, inspired by shark skin denticles. The results of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis indicates that the fence surface inspired by shark skin performs much better than both flat and corrugated surfaces. Taking into account the complex geometry of the surface inspired by shark skin denticles, we propose a fabrication process using an expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) material, created using an industrial robot arm with a hot-wire tool. Creating EPS moulds for the shark skin denticle panels allows for a richer variety material to be used in the final design, leading both to higher efficiency and a more attractive design.

Visualization of the Centre of Projection Geometrical Locus in a Single Image

Single view reconstruction (SVR) is an important approach for 3D shape recovery since many non‐existing buildings and scenes are captured in a single image. Historical photographs are often the most precise source for virtual reconstruction of a damaged cultural heritage. In semi‐automated techniques, that are mainly used under practical situations, the user is the one who recognizes and selects constraints to be used. Hence, the veridicality and the accuracy of the final model partially rely on man‐based decisions. We noticed that users, especially non‐expert users such as cultural heritage professionals, usually do not fully understand the SVR process, which is why they have trouble in decision making while modelling. That often fundamentally affects the quality of the final 3D models. Considering the importance of human performance in SVR approaches, in this paper we offer a solution that can be used to reduce the amount of user errors. Specifically, we address the problem of locating the centre of projection (CP). We introduce a tool set for 3D visualization of the CPs geometrical loci that provides the user with a clear idea of how the CPs location is determined. Thanks to this type of visualization, the user becomes aware of the following: (1) the constraint relevant for CP location, (2) the image suitable for SVR, (3) more constraints for CP location required, (4) which constraints should be used for the best match, (5) will additional constraints create a useful redundancy. In order to test our approach and the assumptions it relies on, we compared the amount of user made errors in the standard approaches with the one in which additional visualization is provided.