<p>During the past few decades, the term intelligent building envelope has emerged as a building skin designed to meet increasingly varying and complex demands related to user comfort and energy and cost efficiency. The concept is described by a multitude of definitions that range from the use of innovative components and a high-tech visual expression to the rational design, use and maintenance of the building envelope.</p><p>Within the scope of this Ph.D., intelligent behaviour for a building envelope has been defined as adaptiveness to the environment by means of perception, reasoning and action, allowing the envelope to solve conflicts and deal with new situations that occur in its interaction with the environment, i.e., the local climate and site, and the individual user needs.</p><p>This definition is used to analyse the functions an intelligent building envelope can be expected to perform in the context of daylighting quality, or an optimisation of the indoor luminous environment to the requirements of the individual building occupant. Of particular importance is the co-operation between artificial intelligence and the material, form and composition of envelope elements, allowing the envelope to learn the occupant’s needs and preferences, to choose the most appropriate response in each situation, to make long-term strategies, to anticipate the development of environmental conditions, and to evaluate its own performance.</p><p>Simultaneously, it is found that adaptive envelope solutions in no manner reduce the need for envelope design meticulously adjusted to local climate and site and to individual user needs, developed in close co-operation between architects, engineers and manufacturers. All of the sources consulted during the course of this Ph.D. stress time and time again how difficult it is to control the operation of the envelope components according to the local environment, and, simultaneously, how important it is to do so.</p>

During the past few decades, the term intelligent building envelope has emerged as a building skin designed to meet increasingly varying and complex demands related to user comfort and energy and cost efficiency. The concept is described by a multitude of definitions that range from the use of innovative components and a high-tech visual expression to the rational design, use and maintenance of the building envelope. Within the scope of this Ph.D., intelligent behaviour for a building envelope has been defined as adaptiveness to the environment by means of perception, reasoning and action, allowing the envelope to solve conflicts and deal with new situations that occur in its interaction with the environment, i.e., the local climate and site, and the individual user needs. This definition is used to analyse the functions an intelligent building envelope can be expected to perform in the context of daylighting quality, or an optimisation of the indoor luminous environment to the requirements of the individual building occupant. Of particular importance is the co-operation between artificial intelligence and the material, form and composition of envelope elements, allowing the envelope to learn the occupant’s needs and preferences, to choose the most appropriate response in each situation, to make long-term strategies, to anticipate the development of environmental conditions, and to evaluate its own performance. Simultaneously, it is found that adaptive envelope solutions in no manner reduce the need for envelope design meticulously adjusted to local climate and site and to individual user needs, developed in close co-operation between architects, engineers and manufacturers. All of the sources consulted during the course of this Ph.D. stress time and time again how difficult it is to control the operation of the envelope components according to the local environment, and, simultaneously, how important it is to do so.

Bangkok's dramatic growth in the last three decades has brought with it a wide range of urban problems - economic, architectural, environmental, and social. One problem has been a demand for a new dwelling and work spaces. The Bangkok townhouse has served to meet both needs, but the forms it has taken thus far leaves needs improvement.This creative project proposes improvements to the Bangkok townhouses to make it more responsive to its environment as well as interior functions. The improvements focus on facades, reorganization of interior spaces, and physical townhouse elements. The study uses a typological and environmental study to understand and investigate examples of existing Bangkok townhouses. This includes case study analyses to suggest daylighting design strategies for design applications.This study proposes a facade design guideline and a set of physical arrangement suggestions for enhancing the daylight, ventilation, and accommodation capacity of the Bangkok townhouses. In addition, potential applications of the facade guidelines are illustrated. The facade and physical arrangement guidelines can be a fundamental concept for further development and improvement of the Bangkok and other townhouses in locations throughout Thailand. / Department of Architecture

Facades are popular in modern buildings and are made of different materials such as pre-cast concrete, glass, aluminium, granite or marble and steel. During recent times seismic activity in densely populated areas has resulted in damage and a consequent loss of life. There were many types of building failure, including failure of building facade systems. Facade systems are highly vulnerable and fail more frequently than the buildings themselves with significant devastating effects. During an earthquake building frames suffer large interstorey drifts, causing racking of the building facade systems. The facade systems may not be able to cater for such large deformations and this can result in either functional or total failure at the facade connections or damage by pounding (impact) with adjacent facade panels. Façade failure and collapse can cause serious damage to buildings and injury to people in the vicinity. Moreover, facade represent between 10- 20 % or more of the total building cost depending on the size and importance of the facility and facade material (Facades1980). Considering the cost and safety issues, the importance of a well designed facade system on a building needs to be emphasised. In modern buildings, energy absorbing passive damping devices are very commonly used for energy absorption in order to manage the vibration response of multistorey buildings in an earthquake event. A number of manufactured dampers such as Viscoelastic and viscous, friction and yielding dampers are available. These dampers use a range of materials and designs in order to achieve diverse levels of damping and stiffness. This thesis is an investigation of the seismic behaviour of building facade systems and studies the effects of facade and connection properties on this response. The objectives with energy absorbing connections of the study are to determine and control facade distortions and to establish the required connection properties. Finite Element techniques have been used for modelling and analysis of the building frame, facade and connections. Time history analyses under earthquake loadings were carried out to determine the system response in terms of inter-storey drifts, facade distortions, differential displacement between facades and frames and the axial force in horizontal connections. Connection properties with respect to stiffness and energy absorption capability (or damping) have been modelled and varied to obtain the desired response. Findings illustrate the influence of these connection properties on system response and show that it is possible to control facade distortions to within acceptable limits. They also demonstrate that energy absorbing connections are able to reduce inter-storey drifts and mitigate the detrimental seismic effects on the entire building facade system.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Münster, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 377-389) and indexes.

O interesse em reduzir manifestações patológicas, o possível impacto sobre a satisfação dos clientes e a busca por redução de custos são alguns dos fatores que, durante as fases de projeto arquitetônico, podem tornar complexa a decisão referente à seleção de uma tecnologia de revestimento de fachada. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor um modelo de apoio à decisão para seleção de tecnologias de revestimento de fachadas. O desenvolvimento do trabalho envolveu quatro fases de pesquisa. Na primeira, foi realizado um estudo sobre como são tomadas as decisões, com identificação dos atores envolvidos, caracterização das diferenças entre as alternativas potenciais e definição dos contornos da problemática de decisão. Na segunda fase, estruturou-se um modelo de decisão multicritério adequado para o contexto de decisão de interesse. O modelo desenvolvido leva em conta aspectos considerados importantes por profissionais com ampla experiência e incorpora características positivas identificadas em outros modelos encontrados na prospecção da bibliografia existente na área. Em seguida, na terceira fase, foram efetuados testes de aplicação do modelo, com seis decisores, tomando como referência um cenário de decisão fictício, estabelecido levando em conta as características da cidade de Fortaleza. A captura do sistema de valores dos decisores foi efetuada através de formulários. Os resultados oriundos dos formulários, com o auxílio de software e planilhas eletrônicas, serviram de base para que o modelo apresentasse suas recomendações. Durante as aplicações, os resultados parciais das capturas de conhecimento eram discutidos com os participantes do teste e analisados pelo pesquisador, com o objetivo de verificar se o procedimento deveria sofrer refinamentos ou ajustes. Por fim, na quarta fase, foi realizada uma validação qualitativa do modelo, através de entrevistas e formulários nos quais se discutia se a previsão do modelo seria útil e se coadunava com as expectativas dos decisores. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe viabilidade para aplicação do modelo proposto, pois o mesmo foi considerado útil e válido pelos decisores dentro do seu contexto de aplicação. Acredita-se que, com o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento da ferramenta proposta, a mesma venha a contribuir de forma significativa para apoiar escolhas de decisores na construção civil, em especial, em situações em que existem dúvidas sobre a tecnologia mais apropriada. Mais ainda, ao estruturar o processo de decisão, a mesma permite que se discutam os parâmetros e valores que influenciam cada decisão, permitindo uma melhor reflexão e consenso entre os intervenientes. / Interests in decreasing pathological manifestations, improve customers’ satisfaction and promote cost reductions are important considerations that, during the design building phase, may increase the complexity of the decision regarding facades cladding technology. The main purpose of the present work is to suggest a decision aid model for technological decisions, in the choice of facades cladding technologies. The research development involved four phases. In the first one, it was studied about how decisions are taken, with stakeholders’ identification, potential action characterization, and problematic definition. In the second phase, it was structured a model in accordance with context interests. The decision aid model considers aspects judged as important by experienced professionals and considers positive characteristics identified by models found in the literature of the area. In the third phase, simulation tests were realized with six decision makers, considering a fictitious project in Fortaleza city. Using formularies, individual values were captured from decision makers. The results collected with the aid of software and electronic sheets served as the basis for model recommendations. During the application of the model, partial results were discussed with decisionmakers and analyzed by the researcher so that they could be refined or adjusted. Finally, in the fourth phase, a qualitative validation was carried through interviews and formularies. This phase verified if the decision aid model was considered useful and valid by decision-makers. It was shown that the proposed tool can significantly contribute to help decision makers in the selection of facades cladding technologies, especially in complex situations. More yet, it can help to structure the decision process, becoming an important the tool for discussing the parameters and values influencing decisions, and helping stakeholders to reach a consensed solution.

o revestimento de uma fachada é em si um sistema de complexa resolução. Envolve uma série de variáveis como concepção de projeto, especificação de materiais, execução e manutenção. E, mesmo com todos os aspectos bem atendidos, não se pode determinar a vida útil do sistema, pois o meio tem forte interferência na sua durabilidade. O uso de rochas ornamentais como elemento de revestimento é outro item que necessita de atenção, uma vez que as rochas têm composição não controlável, são anisotrópicas em relação à resistência, são normalmente instáveis frente às intempéries e, quando em placas, suas espessuras têm sido reduzidas, fragilizando-as e diminuindo a proteção ao corpo da edificação. O presente trabalho trata de um estudo de caso onde foram usadas placas de rocha (200x400xl0 mm) do granito 'cinza andorinha', fixadas por ancoragem química com auxílio de grampos, em uma região com alta umidade, grande insolação, sujeita à névoa marinha e a poluição, Região Metropolitana de Recife. Através do método proposto por Lichtenstein (1986) foi feita a vistoria da fachada, na qual foram encontradas diversas patologias como desplacamento, infiltração e oxidação de grampos, e as placas de granito apresentavam alteração química, física e biológica, como mudança de tonalidade, cristalização de sais, eflorescência, oxidação de minerais, desagregação, fissuração e ataque por microorganismos. Como resultado, foram tecidas as seguintes considerações sobre a fachada: método construtivo, enfatizando a importância do projeto (especialmente do detalhe construtivo); especificação de materiais compatíveis às situações as quais são submetidos; execução e manutenção. Também a alteração do granito foi analisada. Aspectos como mudança de composição (oxidação da biotita) e da microestrutura (cristalização de sais) foram estudados com o intuito de contribuir para um uso mais racional deste material de construção específico / A facade coating is, by itself, a system of complex solution. It envelops a series of variables such as project conception, material specification, execution and maintenance. And, even with all aspects well attended, one can not determine the system useful life, because the environment has a strong influence in its durability. The use of dimension stones as coating element is another item that needs attention, since rocks have an uncontrollable composition, are anisotropic regarding resistance, are normally unstable before inclemency of the weather and being tile its thickness has been reduced, weakening them and diminishing protection to the building body. This work is about a case study where granite tiles (200x400xl0 mm), commercially named "cinza andorinha" have been used, fixed by chemical anchorage, held by clamps, in a region with high humidity, high isolation, subjected to sea mist and pollution, Recife (PE) metropolitan region. Through the method proposed by Lichtenstein (1986) it was made a facade inspection and several pathologies were found, such as tiles fall, infiltration and clamps oxidations and the granite tiles preseting chemical physical and biological alteration such as change in color, salt crystallization, efflorescence, mineral oxidation, disagregation, cracking, and microorganism aggression. As a result, the following cosiderations were done about the facade; constructive method, emphasizing the project importance (specially the constructive detail): material specification in compatibity with the situation subdued; execution and maintenance. Likewise, the granite alteration was analyzed. Features as change in composition (biotite oxidation) and in microstructure (salt crystallization) were studied aiming to contribute for a more rational use of this specific building material

Os casos de deterioração de fachadas prediais no grande Recife e arredores têm sido objeto de atenção dos técnicos da construção civil no estado de Pernambuco. A presença de alterações visuais provocadas por manifestações patológicas (fungos, fissuras, manchas, etc.) nessas superfícies é um sinal de alerta de que o seu desempenho se encontra em declínio. O termo patologia, originário da medicina, tem se adequado ao quadro de doenças que têm se instalado nas edificações, de um modo geral, e principalmente as que estão expostas aos agentes degradantes naturais (vento, chuva, etc.): as fachadas. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso das manifestações patológicas observadas nas fachadas de todos os edifícios com tipologia t3 (térreo + três) em três conjuntos habitacionais: Beira Rio, Casarão do Cordeiro e Abençoada por Deus, empreendidos pela Prefeitura da Cidade do Recife. Para tal, foram realizadas visitas e feito o levantamento, através da observação nas quatro fachadas desses conjuntos, das patologias relativas ao uso da pintura sobre revestimento de argamassa e sobre o tijolo. Foi utilizada, em primeiro lugar, uma adaptação do método de Lichtenstein (1986), que permitiu direcionar as várias etapas do trabalho que vão da vistoria do local até o diagnóstico, a conduta e a terapia. Em segundo lugar, dois outros métodos foram adotados para auxiliar no registro e contabilização das ocorrências patológicas identificadas: o método da incidência e o da intensidade. Foram observadas 172 fachadas e registradas as patologias nos planos verticais, desses conjuntos. São as seguintes as patologias: fungo, fissuras, empolamento da pintura, descoloração, manchas de corrosão, eflorescência, manchas na pintura, descolamento da pintura, desagregamento do tijolo e manchas de umidade no tijolo. Através da apresentação e discussão dos resultados obtidos pela comparação dos registros, pôde-se considerar o aparecimento das manifestações como decorrentes do projeto arquitetônico, da execução e da qualidade dos materiais de revestimento / Cases of deterioration in building facades in Recife and surroundings have been subject to the attention of technical construction in the state of Pernambuco. The presence of visual changes caused by pathological manifestations (fungi, cracks, stains, etc.) in these areas is a warning sign that their performance is in decline. The word pathology, originating in medicine, is used in civil engineering, by analogy, to determine diseases that are installed in several parts of the building, especially the most exposed to natural degrading agents (wind, rain, etc.): the facade. This work presents a study case of pathological problems surveyed in the facades of all buildings type t3(ground floor + three more floors) in three social housing projects: Beira Rio, Casarão do Cordeiro and Abençoada por Deus, supported by the Prefeitura da Cidade do Recife (Recife City Hall). Some pathologies related to the use of paint over mortar rendering or over brick only, were observed on the four facades of these buildings. First of all, the Lichtenstein method(1986) was used to guide the early stages of the work because it organizes the different steps to be taken all during the study, which range from the collection of data from the places visited to the diagnosis, conduct and therapy to be adopted. However, this method was slightly adapted for this study. Secondly, two other methods were used to help with recording and counting the pathologies observed on the facades: the methods of incidence and intensity. One hundred and seventy two facades were inspected and a series of problems on the vertical surfaces of these buildings was recorded. The pathologies were as follows: fungus, cracks, blisters on paint, discoloration, stains from corrosion, efflorescence, stain on paint, peeling paintwork, crumbling brickwork, moisture staining in the brickwork. After presenting and discussing the results obtained by comparing the data, it was concluded that the origin of these pathologies arose from the architectural planning, the way it was implemented and the quality of the materials used to clad the walls

O interesse em reduzir manifestações patológicas, o possível impacto sobre a satisfação dos clientes e a busca por redução de custos são alguns dos fatores que, durante as fases de projeto arquitetônico, podem tornar complexa a decisão referente à seleção de uma tecnologia de revestimento de fachada. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor um modelo de apoio à decisão para seleção de tecnologias de revestimento de fachadas. O desenvolvimento do trabalho envolveu quatro fases de pesquisa. Na primeira, foi realizado um estudo sobre como são tomadas as decisões, com identificação dos atores envolvidos, caracterização das diferenças entre as alternativas potenciais e definição dos contornos da problemática de decisão. Na segunda fase, estruturou-se um modelo de decisão multicritério adequado para o contexto de decisão de interesse. O modelo desenvolvido leva em conta aspectos considerados importantes por profissionais com ampla experiência e incorpora características positivas identificadas em outros modelos encontrados na prospecção da bibliografia existente na área. Em seguida, na terceira fase, foram efetuados testes de aplicação do modelo, com seis decisores, tomando como referência um cenário de decisão fictício, estabelecido levando em conta as características da cidade de Fortaleza. A captura do sistema de valores dos decisores foi efetuada através de formulários. Os resultados oriundos dos formulários, com o auxílio de software e planilhas eletrônicas, serviram de base para que o modelo apresentasse suas recomendações. Durante as aplicações, os resultados parciais das capturas de conhecimento eram discutidos com os participantes do teste e analisados pelo pesquisador, com o objetivo de verificar se o procedimento deveria sofrer refinamentos ou ajustes. Por fim, na quarta fase, foi realizada uma validação qualitativa do modelo, através de entrevistas e formulários nos quais se discutia se a previsão do modelo seria útil e se coadunava com as expectativas dos decisores. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe viabilidade para aplicação do modelo proposto, pois o mesmo foi considerado útil e válido pelos decisores dentro do seu contexto de aplicação. Acredita-se que, com o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento da ferramenta proposta, a mesma venha a contribuir de forma significativa para apoiar escolhas de decisores na construção civil, em especial, em situações em que existem dúvidas sobre a tecnologia mais apropriada. Mais ainda, ao estruturar o processo de decisão, a mesma permite que se discutam os parâmetros e valores que influenciam cada decisão, permitindo uma melhor reflexão e consenso entre os intervenientes. / Interests in decreasing pathological manifestations, improve customers’ satisfaction and promote cost reductions are important considerations that, during the design building phase, may increase the complexity of the decision regarding facades cladding technology. The main purpose of the present work is to suggest a decision aid model for technological decisions, in the choice of facades cladding technologies. The research development involved four phases. In the first one, it was studied about how decisions are taken, with stakeholders’ identification, potential action characterization, and problematic definition. In the second phase, it was structured a model in accordance with context interests. The decision aid model considers aspects judged as important by experienced professionals and considers positive characteristics identified by models found in the literature of the area. In the third phase, simulation tests were realized with six decision makers, considering a fictitious project in Fortaleza city. Using formularies, individual values were captured from decision makers. The results collected with the aid of software and electronic sheets served as the basis for model recommendations. During the application of the model, partial results were discussed with decisionmakers and analyzed by the researcher so that they could be refined or adjusted. Finally, in the fourth phase, a qualitative validation was carried through interviews and formularies. This phase verified if the decision aid model was considered useful and valid by decision-makers. It was shown that the proposed tool can significantly contribute to help decision makers in the selection of facades cladding technologies, especially in complex situations. More yet, it can help to structure the decision process, becoming an important the tool for discussing the parameters and values influencing decisions, and helping stakeholders to reach a consensed solution.

O interesse em reduzir manifestações patológicas, o possível impacto sobre a satisfação dos clientes e a busca por redução de custos são alguns dos fatores que, durante as fases de projeto arquitetônico, podem tornar complexa a decisão referente à seleção de uma tecnologia de revestimento de fachada. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor um modelo de apoio à decisão para seleção de tecnologias de revestimento de fachadas. O desenvolvimento do trabalho envolveu quatro fases de pesquisa. Na primeira, foi realizado um estudo sobre como são tomadas as decisões, com identificação dos atores envolvidos, caracterização das diferenças entre as alternativas potenciais e definição dos contornos da problemática de decisão. Na segunda fase, estruturou-se um modelo de decisão multicritério adequado para o contexto de decisão de interesse. O modelo desenvolvido leva em conta aspectos considerados importantes por profissionais com ampla experiência e incorpora características positivas identificadas em outros modelos encontrados na prospecção da bibliografia existente na área. Em seguida, na terceira fase, foram efetuados testes de aplicação do modelo, com seis decisores, tomando como referência um cenário de decisão fictício, estabelecido levando em conta as características da cidade de Fortaleza. A captura do sistema de valores dos decisores foi efetuada através de formulários. Os resultados oriundos dos formulários, com o auxílio de software e planilhas eletrônicas, serviram de base para que o modelo apresentasse suas recomendações. Durante as aplicações, os resultados parciais das capturas de conhecimento eram discutidos com os participantes do teste e analisados pelo pesquisador, com o objetivo de verificar se o procedimento deveria sofrer refinamentos ou ajustes. Por fim, na quarta fase, foi realizada uma validação qualitativa do modelo, através de entrevistas e formulários nos quais se discutia se a previsão do modelo seria útil e se coadunava com as expectativas dos decisores. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe viabilidade para aplicação do modelo proposto, pois o mesmo foi considerado útil e válido pelos decisores dentro do seu contexto de aplicação. Acredita-se que, com o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento da ferramenta proposta, a mesma venha a contribuir de forma significativa para apoiar escolhas de decisores na construção civil, em especial, em situações em que existem dúvidas sobre a tecnologia mais apropriada. Mais ainda, ao estruturar o processo de decisão, a mesma permite que se discutam os parâmetros e valores que influenciam cada decisão, permitindo uma melhor reflexão e consenso entre os intervenientes. / Interests in decreasing pathological manifestations, improve customers’ satisfaction and promote cost reductions are important considerations that, during the design building phase, may increase the complexity of the decision regarding facades cladding technology. The main purpose of the present work is to suggest a decision aid model for technological decisions, in the choice of facades cladding technologies. The research development involved four phases. In the first one, it was studied about how decisions are taken, with stakeholders’ identification, potential action characterization, and problematic definition. In the second phase, it was structured a model in accordance with context interests. The decision aid model considers aspects judged as important by experienced professionals and considers positive characteristics identified by models found in the literature of the area. In the third phase, simulation tests were realized with six decision makers, considering a fictitious project in Fortaleza city. Using formularies, individual values were captured from decision makers. The results collected with the aid of software and electronic sheets served as the basis for model recommendations. During the application of the model, partial results were discussed with decisionmakers and analyzed by the researcher so that they could be refined or adjusted. Finally, in the fourth phase, a qualitative validation was carried through interviews and formularies. This phase verified if the decision aid model was considered useful and valid by decision-makers. It was shown that the proposed tool can significantly contribute to help decision makers in the selection of facades cladding technologies, especially in complex situations. More yet, it can help to structure the decision process, becoming an important the tool for discussing the parameters and values influencing decisions, and helping stakeholders to reach a consensed solution.