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Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability
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Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2023) | Viewed by 49895

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Oleg Kapliński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture, Poznań University of Technology, ul. Jacka Rychlewskiego 2, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Interests: project engineering and management; decision making; integral design and management; sustainability; research methods in CE and architecture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Lili Dong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China
Interests: green building design; urban planning; landscape architecture planning and design
Prof. Dr. Agata Bonenberg

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland
Interests: flexible interior design; design of inclusive and universal environments; color in architecture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Bonenberg

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture, Poznań University of Technology, Poznań, Poland
Interests: requirements engineering in architectural design; BIM technology in architectural design; sustainable architecture and infrastructure; prefabrication and modular building; research methods and techniques applied in architecture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We often ask ourselves: “What is our life going to be like?” The public expects responses from professionals, including architects and engineers. After all, construction industry and infrastructure consumes more than 40% of the produced energy and about 50% of the mass of materials, while the building industry emits 35% of greenhouse gases.

Hence, sustainable development in engineering has been one of the most discussed topics in recent years and is one of the key factors in sustainable development engineering.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are expected to be reached through solutions in architecture and engineering which will bring about economic, social, and environmental benefits. Nonetheless, some questions arise:

Are the current design paradigms sufficient? What about the relationship between the designer, construction work, and operating and disposal costs? Are the building technical infrastructure and technical equipment levels sufficient to meet sustainability requirements?

What innovations in architecture and civil and infrastructure engineering are needed? Have the hopes regarding the application of integrated project delivery (IPD) been satisfied? Have such concepts as circular economy (including circular design), design thinking, and BIM life cycle modeling become part of the canons of design for good? Does low-energy architecture compete with decarbonization in view of sustainable development? Is there compatibility between LCCA (life cycle cost analysis) and nZEB (nearly zero-energy buildings)?

Or, perhaps, more attention should be paid to the evidence- or intelligence-based design methods – parametric design, perhaps the instrumental wealth of IT ought to be used or maybe a discussion about responsive or biomimetic architecture should be initiated?

Is it worth defining the degree of closeness of these and other methods and tools to the SDGs? Which methods and tools best serve the idea of sustainability and promote ecological awareness?

Let this Special Issue be a forum for architects, engineers as well as scientists and practitioners to facilitate the expansion of knowledge, exchange experiences, present the latest achievements, and learn about trends in the development and applications of sustainability in architectural, civil, and infrastructure engineering.

Prof. Dr. Oleg Kapliński
Prof. Dr. Lili Dong
Prof. Dr. Agata Bonenberg
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Bonenberg
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • design paradigms
  • integrated project delivery (IPD)
  • cost–benefit analysis
  • digitization and IT
  • building lifecycle modeling
  • circular economy
  • low-energy architecture
  • innovative projects
  • infrastructure engineering
  • architecture

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Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

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7 pages, 657 KiB  
Editorial
Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability: Editor’s Comment
by Oleg Kapliński
Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5967; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075967 - 30 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1976
Abstract
Sustainability in engineering has been one of the most often discussed topics in recent years and is one of the key factors in the engineering and economics of a sustainable environment [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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Research

Jump to: Editorial

23 pages, 4287 KiB  
Article
An Energy-Saving-Oriented Approach to Urban Design—Application in the Local Conditions of Poznań Metropolitan Area (Poland)
by Wojciech Bonenberg, Wojciech Skórzewski, Ling Qi, Yuhong Han, Wojciech Czekała and Mo Zhou
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10994; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410994 - 13 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1392
Abstract
This article discusses the impact of urban layout on the energy performance of residential buildings. A comparative analysis of multiple variants of land development differing in building layout only, with all other features being the same, including the building envelope properties and technical [...] Read more.
This article discusses the impact of urban layout on the energy performance of residential buildings. A comparative analysis of multiple variants of land development differing in building layout only, with all other features being the same, including the building envelope properties and technical equipment, was carried out. The research was conducted in two selected locations in Poznań metropolitan area (Poland), which is located in the Dfb climate zone (humid continental—warm summer subtype). For each location, the following variants of building layout were considered: parallel buildings (12 variants with an orientation towards the sides of the world rotated in steps of 15 degrees), perimeter frontage buildings, and comb-shaped buildings with semi-open courtyards (4 variants with courtyards open to each side of the world). The calculation of annual end uses for heating and cooling was conducted as well as the peak values. All calculations were performed using OpenStudio Application Release v. 1.2.1 software with the SketchUp plugin. The results showed that the proper arrangement of buildings on the urban plot may result in significant energy savings. The considered variants differed in terms of annual end uses for heating and cooling even by approx. 15%, and the peak values on the hottest days were 4–10 times lower in comparison with the least advantageous variants. The results show the slight advantage of compact development over free-standing development in terms of total end uses as well as the south and north orientation of facades over the east and west in terms of peak solar heat gain values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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18 pages, 2835 KiB  
Article
Prefabrication Implementation Potential Evaluation in Rural Housing Based on Entropy Weighted TOPSIS Model: A Case Study of Counties in Chongqing, China
by Jingyuan Shi and Jiaqing Sun
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4906; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064906 - 9 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1968
Abstract
Prefabrication as a sustainable construction method has become a trend for use in house construction. However, the construction of rural houses in China still mainly adopts on-site construction, which also raises wasteful resources and environmental problems. Previous studies lack an evaluation system for [...] Read more.
Prefabrication as a sustainable construction method has become a trend for use in house construction. However, the construction of rural houses in China still mainly adopts on-site construction, which also raises wasteful resources and environmental problems. Previous studies lack an evaluation system for the implementation potential of prefabricated rural housing in counties, and thus cannot provide references for the government to formulate implementation strategies. This study uses PEST analysis to establish an evaluation index system for the implementation potential of prefabricated rural housing and then evaluates 32 counties in Chongqing with urbanization rates below 90% based on the entropy weighted TOPSIS model. The results show that the weight values of the four evaluation subsystems of political, economic, social, and technological are 0.4516, 0.3152, 0.0684, and 0.1648, respectively; the nearness degrees of Dianjiang, Yubei, Jiangjin, and Rongchang are 0.5475, 0.4439, 0.4312, and 0.4103, respectively, ranking in the top four in Chongqing. The results indicate that the potential of implementing prefabricated rural housing in Chongqing is closely related to policy orientation and construction industrialization; Dianjiang, Yubei, Jiangjin, and Rongchang have the relative advantage of implementing prefabricated rural housing. Finally, this paper proposes political, economic, social, and technological suggestions for the implementation of prefabricated rural housing in Chongqing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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19 pages, 14133 KiB  
Article
A Simulation of a Sustainable Plus-Energy House in Poland Equipped with a Photovoltaic Powered Seasonal Thermal Storage System
by Jacek Kasperski, Anna Bać and Oluwafunmilola Oladipo
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043810 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2232
Abstract
This article describes the innovative photovoltaic powered seasonal thermal storage—PVPSTS system. It was used in the design of a plus-energy detached single-family house with a usable area of 98 m2. This area meets the requirements of the latest building regulations in [...] Read more.
This article describes the innovative photovoltaic powered seasonal thermal storage—PVPSTS system. It was used in the design of a plus-energy detached single-family house with a usable area of 98 m2. This area meets the requirements of the latest building regulations in Poland. The building, with the innovative HVAC installation, was subjected to energy analysis, and a numerical model was also developed. The model was tested based on TMY data for the location of Wroclaw, Poland. Analysis of the results allowed the authors to learn the specifics of the operation of the system throughout the year and to also define its efficiency. The required size of the storage stack was determined to be 1.6 × 1.6 × 0.3 m. The photovoltaic installation, which was integrated with the roof, can produce 48 GJ of electricity per year. This is five to six times more than the building’s heating needs, and any excess energy can be exported to the power grid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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20 pages, 8757 KiB  
Article
Multifunctional Design of Vibrational Energy Harvesters in a Bridge Structure
by Lissette Fernandez and Steven F. Wojtkiewicz
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16540; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416540 - 9 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1533
Abstract
This paper aims to integrate vibrational energy harvesters into bridge structures in a holistic fashion that can lessen energy demands for safe bridge operation thus potentially increasing their sustainability. Computationally efficient methodologies, that target the locality of the connection of the harvesters, are [...] Read more.
This paper aims to integrate vibrational energy harvesters into bridge structures in a holistic fashion that can lessen energy demands for safe bridge operation thus potentially increasing their sustainability. Computationally efficient methodologies, that target the locality of the connection of the harvesters, are utilized to determine optimal harvester frequencies that maximize the total power generation of installed vibrational energy harvesters. Previous findings from the authors indicate that a distributed configuration of harvesters can generate equal or more power than one traditional large harvester when attached to a building structure with total equivalent harvester mass. This paper investigates whether those findings also apply to bridge structures. Results from a cable-stayed bridge model equipped with two or more harvesters along its deck are presented and discussed. Distributed gardens are investigated as a means to integrate the harvester mass with the pre-existing bridge structure. It is found that an equivalent, slightly larger, amount of power is captured by the distributed garden design compared to a single pair of large harvesters placed near the center of the bridge. This performance is very promising as the distributed garden design would enable the enhancement of the structure’s aesthetics while also potentially creating ecological and environmental benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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19 pages, 6097 KiB  
Article
Market Regeneration in Line with Sustainable Urban Development
by Justyna Borucka, Piotr Czyż, Giorgio Gasco, Weronika Mazurkiewicz, Dorota Nałęcz and Marcin Szczepański
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811690 - 17 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3211
Abstract
This article presents the study of the optimal design solutions for regeneration of marketplaces. It examines the design variants for the revitalisation of the marketplace, in particular, investment in their modernisation in order to find the most optimal model for transforming these public [...] Read more.
This article presents the study of the optimal design solutions for regeneration of marketplaces. It examines the design variants for the revitalisation of the marketplace, in particular, investment in their modernisation in order to find the most optimal model for transforming these public spaces to have a significant impact on the city’s development. The research is a comparative analysis of the implementation of regeneration design models on the marketplace within the Oliwa district of Gdansk (Poland).The data for the case study design models includes analysis based on various optimisation criteria, taking into account the urban and economic aspects of the city landscape when selecting a specific space revitalisation design model. The implementation of regeneration investment includes a number of complex processes that must be sustainable and so require rational social and spatial planning, as well as proper organisation in terms of cost and time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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29 pages, 13743 KiB  
Article
Developing the Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure as a Tool for Urban Air Quality Management
by Joanna Badach, Jakub Szczepański, Wojciech Bonenberg, Jacek Gębicki and Lucyna Nyka
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9688; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159688 - 6 Aug 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3733
Abstract
Urban structure is an important factor that shapes the process of urban ventilation and pollution dispersion. With proper planning of the urban spatial layout, city breathability can be effectively regulated, contributing to urban air quality improvement. This paper investigates the development and current [...] Read more.
Urban structure is an important factor that shapes the process of urban ventilation and pollution dispersion. With proper planning of the urban spatial layout, city breathability can be effectively regulated, contributing to urban air quality improvement. This paper investigates the development and current management of urban systems of green and open spaces in four Polish cities: Gdańsk, Warsaw, Poznań and Wrocław, with a particular focus on the planning aspects of urban ventilation and air quality management. The initial GIS-based comparison of historical plans and the current spatial layouts of the cities show that these systems, consciously shaped at the beginning of the twentieth century, remain clearly identifiable. However, in some locations, the continuance of these systems was interrupted by later investments. The next step was to develop GIS procedures to effectively map the spatial distribution of selected urban form indicators that are related to urban ventilation, especially the frontal area index. The results made it possible to determine the main features of the current ventilation systems and to identify some of the local problem areas. The last phase of the study was to conduct a local-scale analysis of these problem areas. With this study, the applicability of various analysis and simulation tools for the purpose of improving city breathability by appropriate integrated planning and design decisions was demonstrated. The presented approach, taking into account the city- and micro-scale interactions, should be used in current planning practice to preserve the historically developed ventilation systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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20 pages, 6543 KiB  
Article
Computer-Aided Automated Greenery Design—Towards a Green BIM
by Dominik Sędzicki, Jan Cudzik, Wojciech Bonenberg and Lucyna Nyka
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8927; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148927 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2818
Abstract
Contemporary climate challenges are changing the architect’s awareness, which results in a broader spectrum of interest. The available software enables the design of vegetation, but it is often very limited and requires specialist knowledge. The available software allows the creation of individual solutions [...] Read more.
Contemporary climate challenges are changing the architect’s awareness, which results in a broader spectrum of interest. The available software enables the design of vegetation, but it is often very limited and requires specialist knowledge. The available software allows the creation of individual solutions based on visual algorithms or writing scripts; however, they are still not common methods used in architecture and urban planning. The study proposes a new complex digital method of selection and design of greenery based on a new parameter spreadsheet. The proposition is supported by the review and investigation of the software used by designers identifying a range of tools for the design of greenery. The study proposes a theoretical model for automated plant selection and variations of possible greenery scenarios that could be integrated into the design process at the early stages of concept development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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19 pages, 2859 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Water Management in a Krakow Housing Complex from the Nineteen-Seventies in Comparison with a Model Bio-Morpheme Unit
by Wojciech Bonenberg, Stanisław M. Rybicki, Grażyna Schneider-Skalska and Jadwiga Stochel-Cyunel
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5499; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095499 - 3 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2469
Abstract
Cities grow through the addition of new housing structures, but the existing tissue is also modernized. Krakow, like any city with a historical origin, has typologically varied housing tissue. A large area of the city is occupied by multi-family panel-block housing estates which [...] Read more.
Cities grow through the addition of new housing structures, but the existing tissue is also modernized. Krakow, like any city with a historical origin, has typologically varied housing tissue. A large area of the city is occupied by multi-family panel-block housing estates which are being revitalised and the scope of this revitalization should include sustainable design elements. This paper determines the potential for implementing integrated water management, that utilizes rainwater in an existing basic urban unit that is a housing estate from the nineteen-seventies, located in Krakow (Poland), in conjunction with the Bio-Morpheme—the fractal reference model unit. The parameters of the Bio-Morpheme were established by earlier research as the optimum for a housing unit with regards to the circular economy and improving water use efficiency. The study covers the need to improve the quality of the housing environment, linked with the presence of natural elements, including a water reservoir, in the direct vicinity of the development. The analyses explored the potential to employ integrated water management with rainwater reuse in a basic urban unit (Krakow-Morpheme) and then compared the findings with the outcomes obtained by the proposed Bio-Morpheme complex. The results indicate that the potential to achieve a lower demand of water from the water supply system and to lower wastewater production were obtained, with a simultaneous opportunity to lay out an open water reservoir into the Krakow-Morpheme urban interior for improvement of the health value and well-being of inhabitants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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19 pages, 5166 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Renewable Energy Policies on CO2 Emissions Reduction and Energy Security Using System Dynamics: The Case of Small-Scale Sector in Jordan
by Abbas Al-Refaie and Natalija Lepkova
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5058; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095058 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2369
Abstract
Renewable energy policies, such as feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) and subsidy policies, have been reported effective in enhancing the social acceptability to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Nevertheless, a quantitative assessment approach is still needed to measure the extent to which these policies can achieve [...] Read more.
Renewable energy policies, such as feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) and subsidy policies, have been reported effective in enhancing the social acceptability to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Nevertheless, a quantitative assessment approach is still needed to measure the extent to which these policies can achieve the clean energy goals and support the decision-making process. This study, therefore, develops system dynamics models to assess the impacts of PV policies on the social acceptability to install PV systems, energy security, and CO2 emission reduction in the small-scale sector in Jordan. Simulation was then conducted from the period 2016 to 2050. The results for the FiTs (subsidy) policies showed that the predicted accumulated PV installations, power generated, and CO2 emission reductions will reach 67.125 (88.38) Gigawatt (GW), 115.853 (152.588) Terra Wh (TWh), and 74.49 (98.114) million tons CO2, respectively. To achieve these goals, the required cumulative FiTs and subsidy policy costs are 2.2 and 7.59 billion USD, respectively. Sensitivity analyses followed to determine the optimal FiTs price and subsidy proportion that optimize PV goals under uncertainty. In conclusion, the developed models are found valuable tools for measuring the impacts of energy policies on PV goals and thereby provide great input information to the decision-making processes when selecting the appropriate energy policies and actions. In the end, adopting FiTs and/or subsidy policies, Jordan is expected to achieve a high level of clean energy security by 2050, which enhances energy capabilities and mitigates global warming. Future research will examine the factors that affect social acceptability for PV systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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18 pages, 3592 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Interventions to Built Heritage: Analysis of Selected Façades of Kaunas by Space Syntax and Sociological Methods
by Kęstutis Zaleckis, Huriye Armağan Doğan and Natanael Lopez Arce
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4784; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084784 - 16 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2991
Abstract
This paper is an attempt to analyse the correlation between the perception of people and their evaluation regarding contemporary interventions and changes on the façades of cultural heritage buildings, which might affect cultural sustainability. The paper uses two different experimental methods for the [...] Read more.
This paper is an attempt to analyse the correlation between the perception of people and their evaluation regarding contemporary interventions and changes on the façades of cultural heritage buildings, which might affect cultural sustainability. The paper uses two different experimental methods for the analysis of the building façades from various eras in the city centre of Kaunas, which experienced interventions that affected the appearance of the structures. The first experiment performed is a sociological survey, and the second one is a façade analysis conducted by the space syntax method. The paper follows the theory of Nikos Salingaros for measuring the properties of the size distribution on the façades and implements Bill Hillier’s methodology for symmetry index analysis. The research demonstrates some significant correlations between the results of Space Syntax modelling and the sociological survey answers, thus demonstrating the possibility of modelling and predicting changes in the perception of architectural transformations of the façades with potential usability in the monitoring of the transformation of cultural heritage objects, preservation of the cultural identity of a cityscape, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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22 pages, 42015 KiB  
Article
Study of the Landscape Pattern of Shuiyu Village in Beijing, China: A Comprehensive Analysis of Adaptation to Local Microclimate
by Ling Qi, Ranqian Liu, Yuechen Cui, Mo Zhou, Wojciech Bonenberg and Zhisheng Song
Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010375 - 30 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2544
Abstract
The paper used technical parameters to investigate optimized solutions to protect the ecological environment and improve the microclimate adaptability among the traditional villages in Beijing. Shuiyu Village was used as a case study to analyze the coupling relationship between landscape patterns and the [...] Read more.
The paper used technical parameters to investigate optimized solutions to protect the ecological environment and improve the microclimate adaptability among the traditional villages in Beijing. Shuiyu Village was used as a case study to analyze the coupling relationship between landscape patterns and the microclimate of traditional villages, with a focus on the ecological relationship between residents and the microclimate. This study also developed a climate index system, which includes computer numerical simulation and microclimate comprehensive analysis methods. The distinct types of landscape patterns were studied using the system. In addition, this paper studied the adaptive design mechanism in-depth, the form parameters of comfort evaluation controllability, and map expression technology of morphological parameters. The findings of this study include the optimized value of the environment based on landscape pattern and the map through the Rhino modeling platform. An interactive platform was developed, and a parametric-assisted optimization design process for traditional villages in the northern part of China was proposed. Moreover, this study concluded optimized strategies and technical guidelines for future planning of the rural areas in northern China with a goal to protect traditional villages and transform them into smart villages with microclimate adaptability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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21 pages, 38160 KiB  
Article
Building Circularity Assessment in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: A New Framework
by Nuo Zhang, Qi Han and Bauke de Vries
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12466; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212466 - 11 Nov 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7070
Abstract
Circular Economy (CE) has proved its contribution to addressing environmental impacts in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries. Building Circularity (BC) assessment methods have been developed to measure the circularity of building projects. However, there still exists ambiguity and inconsistency in these [...] Read more.
Circular Economy (CE) has proved its contribution to addressing environmental impacts in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries. Building Circularity (BC) assessment methods have been developed to measure the circularity of building projects. However, there still exists ambiguity and inconsistency in these methods. Based on the reviewed literature, this study proposes a new framework for BC assessment, including a material flow model, a Material Passport (MP), and a BC calculation method. The material flow model redefines the concept of BC assessment, containing three circularity cycles and five indicators. The BC MP defines the data needed for the assessment, and the BC calculation method provides the equations for building circularity scoring. The proposed framework offers a comprehensive basis to support a coherent and consistent implementation of CE in the AEC industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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16 pages, 9078 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Impact of Input Data on the Planned Costs of Building Maintenance
by Edyta Plebankiewicz and Jakub Gracki
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112220 - 5 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1734
Abstract
The aim of the article is to analyze the method of determining the maintenance costs of buildings based on the method proposed in Polish legal regulations. The analysis of the sensitivity of the method shows that the assumed number of product use cycles [...] Read more.
The aim of the article is to analyze the method of determining the maintenance costs of buildings based on the method proposed in Polish legal regulations. The analysis of the sensitivity of the method shows that the assumed number of product use cycles during the calculation period has the greatest impact, while the adopted warranty period has the lowest impact. A multi-functional building combining housing, office, service and commercial was analyzed in order to obtain a broader picture of the model’s operation. The results of the analyses allow us to conclude that despite the higher price of materials, the most durable solutions, which are the most expensive to purchase, turn out to be the most advantageous in the entire life cycle of the building. The method proposed in Polish law regulations has certain limitations. In order to level them, it was proposed to extend the method by using NPV (Net Present Value) for calculations and extending the life cycle of the building to 80 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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14 pages, 2704 KiB  
Article
Environmental Performances of a Cubic Modular Steel Structure: A Solution for a Sustainable Development in the Construction Sector
by Sebastian George Maxineasa, Dorina Nicolina Isopescu, Ioana-Roxana Baciu and Marius Lucian Lupu
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12062; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112062 - 1 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2275
Abstract
The production of building materials is a significant component of the impact the construction sector has on the natural environment. Steel is among the most utilized materials, having various applications specific to the built environment. Therefore, understanding the impact of this structural material [...] Read more.
The production of building materials is a significant component of the impact the construction sector has on the natural environment. Steel is among the most utilized materials, having various applications specific to the built environment. Therefore, understanding the impact of this structural material represents an important step in achieving global sustainable development. The paper aims to analyze the effects of different steel structural elements on the Earth’s ecosystem with respect to concerns over sustainability. In order to reach this goal, the authors have analyzed a dwelling steel structure based on cubic modules with high structural modularity. In addition, the study looks at the influence of an over the floor reinforced concrete slab in order to gain an overall view regarding environmental performances. The impact on the natural environment has been analyzed by considering the cradle-to gate with options Life Cycle Assessment study. The paper provides up-to-date knowledge on the environmental performances of the analyzed structure, presenting encouraging conclusions for construction sector specialists with respect to the use of steel as a material that can represent a solution in the current global effort to minimize the environmental burdens imposed by the construction sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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14 pages, 14089 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study for Forced Ventilation Systems in Industrial Buildings to Improve the Workers’ Thermal Comfort
by Mohamed I. Elhadary, Abdullah Mossa Y. Alzahrani, Reda M. H. Aly and Bahaa Elboshy
Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10267; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810267 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4759
Abstract
The appropriate ventilation for factory spaces with regard to volume flow rate and air velocity inside the factory is one of the most important factors in the improvement of the thermal comfort of workers and in the reduction of the percentage of pollution [...] Read more.
The appropriate ventilation for factory spaces with regard to volume flow rate and air velocity inside the factory is one of the most important factors in the improvement of the thermal comfort of workers and in the reduction of the percentage of pollution they are exposed to, which in turn helps to improve the work environment and increase productivity. It also could improve the performance of machines. Hence, overheating can cause various problems and malfunctions. In this study, three types of mechanical ventilation systems are compared: the wall fan extract ventilation system, the roof fan extract ventilation system, and the spot cooling system. The Ansys software has been used to conduct the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for the different cases and the ventilation effectiveness factor (VEF) has been used to compare the performances of the three systems. The ventilation factor notably relies on the temperature distribution produced through the modeling and the results show that the most optimal system that can be used for similar factory spaces is the forced ventilation system. Finally, it is also the best in terms of energy consumption, despite the increase in the initial cost of its installation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural, Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering in View of Sustainability)
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