Effects of apartment building façade and balcony design on the reduction of exterior noise

The effects of building façade and balcony design on the reduction of exterior noise were investigated by measuring the noise from traffic at an apartment complex located by a road side as well as the sound field characteristics of an area surrounded by four apartment buildings. The efficiency of different balcony forms for reducing exterior noise was determined using a 1:50 scale model and a single spark source. It was found that parapets were more effective in reducing exterior noise than lintels. Based on the measurements of the parapet used for this study and the absorptive materials in the scale model, a maximum noise reduction of 23 dB was obtained. Lastly, a computer simulation was conducted in order to predict the noise reduction level of lintels and parapets. The results of the simulation were compared to the results of the scale model test. Our results indicate that this method of exterior noise reduction can be useful in high-rise buildings where tall barriers cannot be built.     

Indoor thermal environmental conditions near glazed facades with shading devices – Part I: Experiments and building thermal model

This paper presents an experimental study of indoor thermal environment near a full-scale glass facade with different types of shading devices under varying climatic conditions in winter. Interior glazing and shading temperature, operative temperature and radiant temperature asymmetry were measured for façade sections with roller shades and venetian blinds at different positions. Interior glass surface temperatures can be high during sunny days with low outdoor temperature. Shading systems significantly improved operative temperature and radiant temperature asymmetry during cold sunny days, depending on their properties and tilt angle. During cloudy days the impact was smaller, however the shading layers could still decrease the amount of heat loss through the façade. A transient building thermal model, which also calculates indoor environmental indices under the presence of solar radiation, was developed and compared with the experimental measurements. Part II of this paper uses this validated model with a transient, two-node thermal comfort model (including transmitted solar radiation) for assessment of indoor environmental conditions with different building envelope and shading properties, façade location and orientation.     

Korrosionsverhalten von Anschweißankern aus nichtrostendem Stahl bei hinterlüfteten Außenwandbekleidungen aus Naturwerkstein

In diesem Beitrag werden Betrachtungen zur Korrosion von Anschweißankern aus nichtrostendem Stahl der Werkstoff‐Nr. 1.4571 bei Naturwerksteinfassaden angestellt. Weiterhin werden Ergebnisse korrosionstechnischer Untersuchungen an derartigen Ankern aus bestehenden, bis zu 23 Jahre alten Bauwerken wiedergegeben. Bei sachgerechter Interpretation der dargestellten Zusammenhänge kann gefolgert werden, dass die im Regelwerk geforderten Maßnahmen zur grundsätzlichen Entfernung von Anlauffarben und zum Verschließen von Spalten bei atmosphärisch beanspruchten geschweißten Verbindungen im Fall der hinterlüfteten Außenwandbekleidungen aus Sicht der Korrosion technisch nicht begründet und unnötig sind. Corrosion behaviour of stainless steel weld‐on anchors of claddings for external walls ventilated at the rear and made of natural stone. In the contribution considerations are made about the corrosion of stainless steel weld‐on anchors of the material No. 1.4571 of claddings for external walls ventilated at the rear. Furthermore, results of corrosiontechnical investigations on such anchors of buildings which are up to 23 years old are reported. With proper interpretation of the shown connections it must necessarily be concluded that the measures in the set of rules concerning the removal of temper colours and the closing of crevices of atmospherically exposed weld‐on anchors are technically not founded and unnecessary from the corrosion point of view if ventilated facades are taken into consideration.     

German developments in guidance systems: an overview daylight

An overview is provided of recent developments in different daylighting systems. The systems range from a simple adaptation of venetian blinds for a better use of daylighting, to specially developed daylight-guiding venetian blinds, mirror louvers, optical mirror elements, ADO-Toplight, holographic optical elements, prismatic systems, Micro-Grates, Plexiglas Daylight, transparent insulation material, moveable glass louvers, a three-layer pipe-grid system and the ‘light sculptor’ in the cupola of the German Parliament. Most of these technologies are available in the market. Others, e.g. the ‘light sculptor’, were designed for a unique application.

Cet article présente les grandes lignes des développements récents en matière de systèmes d'éclairage naturel. Ces systèmes vont de la simple adaptation de stores vénitiens pour un meilleur usage de la lumière naturelle jusqu'à des stores vénitiens de conception spéciale à commande par la lumière du jour, en passant par des rideaux à lattes miroirs, des éléments de miroirs optiques, le système ADO-Toplight, des éléments optiques holographiques, des systèmes prismatiques, des microgrilles, des systèmes d'éclairage naturel en plexiglas, des matériaux isolants transparents, des systèmes à lattes de verre amovibles, un système à grille tubulaire à trois couches et le “sculpteur de lumière” qui équipe la coupole du Parlement allemand. La plupart de ces technologies sont disponibles sur le marché. D'autres, comme le “sculpteur de lumière” ont été conçus pour une application unique.     

Design guidelines for a glazing with a seasonally dependent solar transmittance

The basic design guidelines for a window and facade glass which rejects direct solar radiation during the summer period and which transmits direct solar radiation during the remainder of the year are derived. The design employs purely passive control means and is based on the seasonal change of the incident angle of solar rays and on the capability of glass prisms to refract and totally reflect or transmit solar rays dependent on the relevant incident angle. Two new design elements essentially extend the applicability of the glass in accordance with window orientation and season of direct solar light rejection.     

Indoor thermal environmental conditions near glazed facades with shading devices – Part II: Thermal comfort simulation and impact of glazing and shading properties

This second part of the study uses a validated dynamic building thermal model for perimeter zones with glass facades (described in Part I) and combines it with a transient two-node thermal comfort model. The objective is to investigate the impact of varying exterior climatic conditions, glazing properties and shading properties on indoor thermal comfort and heating demand in such spaces under the presence of transmitted solar radiation. It is evident that selecting appropriate fenestration components becomes a trade-off between energy, thermal comfort, and lighting needs. Facades with insulating and low transmittance glass create more comfortable and stable conditions; however, there is a relationship between lower transmittance of the glazing and increased demand of primary heating needed, as well as with lighting energy use. Regardless of glazing type, shading can improve comfort conditions by decreasing radiant temperature asymmetry and extremes in operative temperature. The results show that perimeter building zones with high-performance facades (glazing and shading) can maintain comfortable conditions and even eliminate the need for secondary perimeter heating in cold climates.     

健康规范：中国医院可持续发展下的重点

本文针对中国的医疗需求将推动数以千计的医院建设,其产生大量的能源消耗,并在遇到灾难时扮演社区避难所的现状,提出优秀的整体设计和建造可以减少医院的能源浪费,同时提高患者的舒适感和健康状况,对场地、气候和功能进行调节的可持续对策可以提高医院的效率,并结合实例予以具体解析.     

Quantifying environmental effects on cement-rendered facades: A comparison between different degradation indicators

The purpose of this research is to assess and quantify the environmental effects on cement-rendered facades in real-life service conditions. A holistic approach is proposed based on the assessment of the visual impact of the actual climatic environment that affects the aesthetic performance and durability of 19 cement-rendered facades located in Lisbon, Portugal. Different degradation indicators are presented and a deterioration path is identified, which points out to the possibility of modeling the overall degradation of facades in similar building and environmental conditions. Although the proposed method reflects the Portuguese building context, it can be easily adapted to other countries and expanded to include various cladding solutions, so that their remaining service life can be integrated in the existing commercial methodologies for service life prediction and asset management.