Design method of high performance precast external walls for warm climate by multi-objective optimization analysis. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baglivo, Cristina; Congedo, Paolo Maria
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 90:Part 2(2015)
• Page Start: 1645
• Page End: 1661
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Precast -- Envelope -- Thickness -- ZEB -- Optimization -- Sustainability; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.06.132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Taking into account the global environmental problems, there is the urgent need to reduce energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector. Environmental awareness can be achieved through the extensive application of precast systems in buildings construction. A multi-criteria analysis has been used to obtain energy-efficient precast walls for Zero Energy Building in warm climate focusing on eco-friendly building materials. The modeFRONTIER optimization tool, with the use of computational procedures developed in Matlab, has been used to assess the thermal dynamics of building components. The optimization has been carried out in terms of steady thermal transmittance, periodic thermal transmittance, decrement factor, time shift, areal heat capacity, thermal admittance, surface mass, small thickness, eco sustainability score, light-weight and costs. The best sequences of layers show repetitive features: high surface mass for the first layer (internal side), followed by eco-friendly insulating materials for the middle layer and common insulating materials for the outer layer. The results illustrate that it is possible to obtain high performance precast multi-layered walls also with light and thin solutions; in particular, the superficial mass and the internal areal heat capacity have an important role to obtain the best performance in the warm climate. Highlights: Environmental awareness through the application of prefabrication systems. The precast allows important benefits compared to traditional walls build in situ. At the end of their useful life, the precast can be re-used. Precast walls with very high efficiency for warm climates. High internal areal heat capacity avoids events of overheating/cooling down.