Choosing the best nature's strategy with the highest thermodynamic potential for application in building thermal envelope using MCA analysis. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanaga, Ruta; Blumberga, Andra; Gusca, Julija; Blumberga, Dagnija
• Is Part Of: Energy procedia. Volume 152(2018)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 455
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: biomimicry -- climate adaptive building shell -- TOPSIS -- AHP; Power resources -- Congresses; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power resources; Conference proceedings; Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2018.09.252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1876-6102

Abstract

Abstract: There is rapid growth in energy efficiency in the building sector oriented to zero energy or plus energy building concepts. Additionally building designs need to solve a complex task combining energy and environmental requirements, as well as social and economic performance requirements in one architectural object. Therefore when constructing new generation buildings, there is a necessity to seek for new strategies for inspiration. In this respect nature plays a core role for such inspiration. However, the process whereby one can integrate nature-inspired processes in building applications faces problems via the technical evaluation of such strategies. This research proposes a multi-criteria analysis methodology combining Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods in order to select the best nature-inspired strategies for climate adaptive building shells. Based on the methodology, four nature strategies are analysed regarding seven thermodynamic criteria: heat loss in the thermal envelope, heat loss in air exchange, thermal inertia and solar heat gains, energy storage, energy production and changing surface characteristics. The proposed selection methodology allows architects and engineers to screen the most appropriate nature inspired strategy to be applied for energy efficiency in buildings taking into account a set of technical criteria.