Higher education is an idyllically positioned organization from which meaningful dissemination of knowledge and interdisciplinary research is capable of actuating practices that resource consumption. Paradoxically, the construction, maintenance, and operations of the built environment, including the built campus environment, have contributed to the decline of raw resources and degradation of environmental processes. An opportunity exists to bridge the knowledge gap between the design and construction phase and the operations and maintenance phase of the green certified building life cycle, while examining the parts that contributed to the green-certification of the whole building. The purpose of this research was to 1.) identify green-building features and determine their frequency of implementation in new capital (NC) LEED-certified, campus buildings to effectuate operations and maintenance cost savings, indoor wellbeing, and environmental stewardship, and 2.) determine the relationships of greenbuilding feature usage across building, institutional, and LEED characteristics. The study used archival data to document the green efforts of each building with the study’s sample of 195 buildings on the campus of 107 universities and colleges, in the United States, between 2007 and 2017. The study’s findings indicated that the public institutions earned the LEED certification more often than private institutions and the sample was void of two-year community colleges. The sample was restricted for green-building features that (a) reduce economic cost, (b) improve indoor wellbeing, and (c) increase environmental stewardship. The results and implications are discussed. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This thesis describes improvements on newly-discovered high-strength pozzolan-based materials fabricated via a low-cost chemical reaction that takes place between 90 and 115 ℃ for 3 to 24 hours. The reported results focus on pozzolan constituents acquired from Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) such as cenospheres, fly ash C and F, as well as bottom ash. The thesis reports on various types of these materials with specific gravity ranging from 0.5 to 1.6; compressive strength ranging from 300 to 3600 psi, and compressive modulus ranging from 50 to 240 ksi. In addition to their good mechanical properties under compression that are attractive for the building and construction industries, the materials further exhibit great potential for applications as energy absorption cores in sandwich construction that could extend their value in other industries including the automotive and aerospace industries. For example, the load-displacement curve exhibits a short elastic zone followed by a long load-plateau; while the materials crush through a controlled vertical cracking process. Additionally, an attempt was made to further decrease the manufacturing cost of the material by investigating incorporation of chemicals that accelerates dehydration of the mixture. One such successful chemical reported in this thesis is aluminum phosphate; while it is not conclusive how the chemical improves any major property.

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / A substantial proportion of the African population is deprived of access to safe and reliable food. Many people in Tshwane currently live with long-term malnutrition, seeing that food insecurity is growing most rapidly in formal urban areas, referred to as food deserts, due to their limited access to food. Designing urban environments for local food security has become imperative. This dissertation presents the design of a research centre to promote a resilient urban food systems in Sunnyside, Pretoria. A combination of high- and low-intensity cultivation methods is integrated into the building to create a balance between optimised crop yield and community participation and education. The holistic integration of systems, people and the built environment aims to create a building that is not merely a machine for living, but a living machine.

Thesis (M. of Environmental Science)--Miami University, Institute of Environmental Sciences, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [1], iii, 66 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references.

With few studies focusing on the construction of green buildings in South Africa, there is a need to understand the reasoning behind the development of residential estates that have classified themselves as “eco”. The aim of this study was to establish whether or not residential estates that market themselves as “eco” are in fact sustainable. This study looks at the environmental sustainability of residential eco-estates (n=7) and compares them to non-eco-estates (n=7) in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The study used content analysis to evaluate the marketing material of the 14 estates sampled for the study. The data gathered through content analysis was then used to determine the environmental sustainability for each estate using an adapted version of the Sustainable Building Assessment Tool. The findings indicate that although the residential eco-estates had higher environmental sustainability scores when compared with non-eco-estates, the overall score for many of the eco-estates was too low for them to be classified as sustainable. The results of the study also highlight that a number of the eco-estates use greenwashing methods to attract potential homeowners. By selling nature, these estates are able to attract homeowners who may be interested in protecting the environment. When looking at these findings, it is possible to assume that the development of residential eco-estates has less to do with the sustainability of nature and has more to do with a desire to increase profits. In order to achieve environmental sustainability, it is therefore important to provide guidelines for developers to use if they are genuinely interested in creating estates that focus on the protection of the environment and natural resources. These guidelines can be developed through frameworks that exist to evaluate the sustainability of developments. Although much of the focus of this research is placed on the developers of each estate, it is important to acknowledge that the individuals who live within these estates are just as responsible for achieving sustainability. / Geography / M.A. (Geography)

Orientador: Gilberto de Martino Jannuzzi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T07:52:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lima_BrunoWilmerFontes_M.pdf: 4773788 bytes, checksum: 512d3e82e0e392f642f77b5b058267c2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O consumo de eletricidade no Brasil cresceu 47% na última década e estima-se que aumente outros 55,6% até 2020. A geração da maior parte da eletricidade no país é baseada no modelo de grandes usinas hidrelétricas, distantes dos centros de consumo, assim como a expansão da capacidade de geração para atender o aumento da demanda, mantendo as grandes perdas na transmissão e distribuição da eletricidade. Uma forma de reduzi-las é através do maior uso da geração distribuída, em que a eletricidade é gerada próxima ou no próprio local de consumo, como por exemplo, integrada a edificações. A partir da viabilização deste modelo de geração e dos edifícios eficientes, criou-se o conceito dos chamados Edifícios de Energia Zero (EEZ). EEZs são edifícios com baixas necessidades energéticas e que, ao longo do ano, geram toda a energia que consomem a partir de fontes renováveis de energia. Em 2010, as edificações foram responsáveis por 46,9% do consumo de eletricidade no Brasil e esta participação deve aumentar até o final da década. Dessa forma, um maior emprego da geração distribuída através de fontes renováveis em edificações e também de novos EEZs pode atender parte desta crescente demanda, e consequentemente, adiar ou evitar a construção de novas grandes hidrelétricas e termelétricas movidas a combustíveis fósseis, e reduzindo os impactos socioambientais causados pela sua construção e operação. Esta dissertação propõe uma metodologia para o projeto de sistemas de geração de energia elétrica em EEZs, visando auxiliar engenheiros e arquitetos no dimensionamento destes sistemas, permitindo uma maior adoção deste tipo de edificação. A metodologia consiste de alguns passos simples, que incluem a análise do consumo de energia do edifício e do potencial energético local, o dimensionamento e simulação do sistema de geração, concluindo com a avaliação dos resultados para averiguar se a energia gerada seria suficiente para classificar o edifício como EEZ. Adicionalmente, a metodologia propõe ferramentas para auxiliar na escolha de um sistema de geração, dentre diversas opções de arranjos e tecnologias, como o custo do sistema, da eletricidade produzida por ele e do tempo de retorno de energia. Esta metodologia foi aplicada em um laboratório de ensino, que será construído na Unicamp e tem como meta ter o menor impacto ambiental durante sua construção e operação além de ser um Edifício de Energia Zero. Foi avaliada a viabilidade e contribuição potencial da geração de eletricidade por fontes renováveis de energia no projeto deste laboratório, no caso energia solar fotovoltaica e pequenas turbinas eólicas, como forma de atender a meta EEZ. Também foram avaliados três sistemas fotovoltaicos, cotados com empresas especializadas durante o projeto do laboratório. Adicionalmente, buscando entender melhor a influência da tecnologia e do posicionamento dos sistemas fotovoltaicos na geração de eletricidade, foram realizadas simulações de sistemas com 1kWp, utilizando diferentes tecnologias e orientações. As simulações foram realizadas utilizando o software Homer Energy, de distribuição gratuita / Abstract: Electricity consumption in Brazil increased 47% in the last decade, and it is estimated that it will increase 55.6% until 2020. Most of the electricity generated in the country is based on large hydroelectric dams, located away from the major cities. The planned expansion of the generation park to meet this increase in the demand is also based on this model, leading to great transmission and distribution losses. One way to reduce these losses is through a greater use of distributed generation, where the electricity is generated near or at the point of consumption, e.g., integrated to buildings. With the viabilization of this model of electricity generation and of energy efficient buildings, the concept of Net Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) was created. A ZEB is a building with low energy needs which, through the course of a year, generated all the energy which it consumes from renewable energy sources. In 2010, the building sector was responsible for 46.9% of all electricity consumption in Brazil, and this share will increase until the end of the decade. That way, a larger use of the distributed generation from renewable sources integrated to buildings and of new ZEB can meet part of this growing demand, and thus postpone or avoid the construction of new large hydroelectric dams and thermoelectric power plants running on fossil fuels, reducing the social and environmental impacts caused by its construction and operation. This dissertation proposes a methodology for the project of electricity generation systems in ZEBs, aiming to help engineers and architects in the dimensioning of these systems, allowing a greater adoption of this kind of building. The methodology consists of a few simple steps, which includes an analysis of the building energy consumption and of the local energy potential, sizing and simulation of the generation system and comparing the results in order to conclude if it is possible for the building to become a ZEB. Additionally, the methodology proposes tools to help choosing the better option among different systems sizes and technologies, including the cost of the system, of the electricity produced by it and the energy payback time. The methodology will be applied to a university's laboratory, which will be built at Unicamp, which aims to have the lowest environmental impact possible during its construction and operation and to be a Net Zero Energy Building. It was addressed the viability and potential contribution of electricity generation from renewable energy sources, solar photovoltaic and small wind turbines, in the laboratory's project as an strategy to reach the ZEB target. Three photovoltaic systems quoted from specialized companies during the project were also analyzed. Also, in order to address the influence of the technology and positioning of the photovoltaic systems on its performance, several simulations of systems with 1kWp were carried out, in different tilts and orientations, and using different technologies of photovoltaic modules. These simulations were performed using the Homer Energy software, which is free of charge / Mestrado / Planejamento de Sistemas Energeticos / Mestre em Planejamento de Sistemas Energéticos

The aim of this study was to determine the impact that Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) design features of green buildings, have on specific organisational outcomes. The organisational outcomes investigated were physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, productivity, absenteeism and job satisfaction. These outcomes were investigated within two different green buildings, belonging to a large financial institution, situated in Johannesburg and Durban. Self-report questionnaires were distributed to employees via email inviting them to participate in the study. The questionnaires contained the Warwick-Edinburg Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) questions, and single-item questions measuring productivity and job satisfaction. Actual absenteeism records were obtained of the participating sample from the organisation. Measures were taken before the participants moved into each of the green buildings and 12 months post occupancy in the green buildings. Measures of a comparison group that did not move into either of the green buildings were also taken at the same time periods. The final sample consisted of 175 participants. The results of this study illustrated significant differences in physical wellbeing and productivity of the participants in the green building situated in Durban. Both these measures increased 12 months post occupancy in the green building. The IEQ design features that were found to most significantly impact wellbeing and productivity within the two green buildings were lighting and air conditions. This research is important as there is a growing movement towards implementing green building design initiatives, however in order to be truly effective, the benefits of green building designs must extend beyond the benefits to the environment and also consider the benefits to its occupants (Heerwagen, 2000).

Yes / Purpose– This paper develops a Knowledge-based (KB) System for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Maintenance in environmentally Sustainable Buildings (Lean6-SBM). Design/methodology/approach– The Lean6-SBM conceptual framework has been developed using the rule base approach of KB system and joint integration with Gauge Absence Prerequisites (GAP) technique. A comprehensive literature review is given for the main pillars of the framework with a typical output of GAP analysis. Findings– Implementation of LSS in the sustainable building maintenance context requires a pre-assessment of the organisation’s capabilities. A conceptual framework with a design structure is proposed to tackle this issue with the provision of an enhancing strategic and operational decision making hierarchy. Research limitations/implications– Future research work might consider validating this framework in other type of industries. Practical implications– Maintenance activities in environmentally sustainable buildings must take prodigious standards into consideration and, therefore, a robust quality assurance measure has to be integrated. Originality/value– The significance of this research is to present a novel use of hybrid KB/GAP methodologies to develop a Lean6-SBM system. The originality and novelty of this approach will assist in identifying quality perspectives while implementing different maintenance strategies in the sustainable building context. / Ministry of Defence Engineering Services (Sultanate of Oman)

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The thesis was initiated by a Consulting Engineering Company (KV3) as a research project to investigate various options in which the efficiency and energy utilisation of conventional air conditioning systems may be enhanced by using alternative and renewable energy. Initially, eight options had been identified and through a process of determining the degree of commercialisation the alternative options were reduced to three. These options, referred to as the sustainable cooling alternatives, are active mass cooling, night flushing and roof cooling system. The roof cooling system comprised a roof-pond, roof-spray, pump and storage tank. The roof cooling system was mathematically and experimentally modelled. The roof cooling experiment was performed under a variety of weather conditions with the roof-pond and storage tank temperatures continuously recorded. The experimentally recorded temperatures were compared to the temperatures generated by the theoretical simulation calculations for the same input and weather conditions. Good agreement was found between the mathematical and experimental model. The largest discrepancy found between the simulated temperature and the experimental temperature was in the order of 1 ºC. A one-room building has been assumed to serve as a basis to which the sustainable cooling alternatives could be applied to for theoretical simulation. The one-room building had four façade walls and a flat roof slab. Night flushing, active mass cooling and the roof cooling system were applied to the one-room building such that the room air temperature and space cooling load could theoretically be simulated. The theoretical simulations were also repeated for the case where the roof-pond and roof-spray were applied as standalone systems to the one-room building. The theoretical simulation calculations were performed for typical summer weather conditions of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Under base case conditions and for a room thermostat setting of 22 ºC the peak cooling load of the one-room building was 74.73 W/m². With the application of night flushing between the hours of 24:00 and 07:00, the room cooling load was reduced by 5.2% by providing 3.9 W/m² of cooling and reducing the peak room temperature by 1.4 ºC. The active mass cooling system was modelled by supplying water at a constant supply temperature of 15 ºC to a pipe network embedded in the roof slab of the one-room building. The sea may typically be considered as a cold water source for buildings situated at the coast. The active mass cooling system reduced the peak cooling load of the one-room building by 50% by providing 37.2 W/m² of cooling and reducing the peak room temperature by 6.7 ºC. When the roof-spray and roof-pond systems were applied as standalone systems to the oneroom building, the peak cooling load of the one-room building could be reduced by 30% and 51% respectively. This is equivalent to 22.3 W/m² of peak cooling by the roof-spray and 38 W/m² of peak cooling by the roof-pond. The roof-spray reduced the peak room temperature by 3.71 ºC while the roof-pond reduced the peak room temperature by 5.9 ºC. Applying the roof cooling system to the one-room building produced 46 W/m² of peak cooling which resulted in a 61.1% reduction in peak cooling load. The roof cooling system reduced the peak temperature by 8 ºC. By comparing the sustainable cooling alternatives, the roof cooling system showed to be the most effective in reducing the one-room building peak cooling load. Over a 24 hour period the roof cooling system reduced the net heat entry to the one-room building by 57.3%. In a further attempt to reduce the peak cooling load, the sustainable cooling alternatives were applied in combinations to the one-room building. The combination of night flushing and roof-spray reduced the peak cooling load by 36% while a combination of night flushing and active mass cooling reduced the peak cooling load by 55%. Combining night flushing with the roof-pond also yielded a 55% peak cooling load reduction. The combination of roofpond, active mass cooling and night flushing provided 51 W/m² of cooling which corresponded to a 68% reduction in peak cooling load. Utilising the sustainable cooling alternatives in a combination in the one-room building gave improved results when compared to the case where the sustainable cooling alternatives were employed as standalone systems. It is illustrated by means of a sensitivity analysis that the ability of the roof cooling system to produce cool water is largely influenced by ambient conditions, droplet diameter and roofspray rate. Under clear sky conditions, an ambient temperature of 15 ºC, relative humidity of 80%, a roof-spray rate of 0.02 kg/sm² and a roof-pond water level of 100mm, water could be cooled at a rate of 113 W/m². The roof-spray energy contributed to 28 W/m² whilst the night sky radiation was responsible for 85 W/m² of the water cooling. It must however be noted that the water of the roof cooling system can never be reduced to a temperature that is lower than the ambient dew point temperature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis is geïnisieer deur ‘n Raadgewende Ingenieurs Maatskappy (KV3) as a navorsingsprojek om verskeie opsies te ondersoek waarmee die effektiwiteit en energie verbruik van konvensionele lugversorgingstelsels verbeter kan word deur middel van alternatiewe en hernubare energie. Agt opsies is oorspronglik geïdentifiseer en deur middel van ‘n proses waarby die graad van kommersialisering van hierdie alternatiewe maniere bepaal is, kon die opsies verminder word tot drie. Hierdie opsies, ook verwys na as die volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe, sluit in aktiewe massa verkoeling, dakverkoeling en nagventilasie. Die dakverkoelingstelsel bestaan uit dakwater, ‘n dakspuit, ‘n pomp en ‘n stoortenk. Die dakverkoelingstelsel is wiskundig en eksperimenteel gemodelleer. Die dakverkoelingseksperiment is uitgevoer onder ‘n verskeidenheid van weersomstandighede. Die dakwater asook die stoortenk se water temperatuur is voortdurend aangeteken. Dieselfde weer- en insetkondisies is gebruik vir die simulasie berekening en die temperature van die stoortenk se water en die dakwater is vergelyk met die temperatuurlesings van die eksperimentele werk. Die temperature van die eksperimentele lesings het goed vergelyk met die temperatuur simulasie berekeninge. Die grootste verskil tussen die simulasie en eksperimentele temperatuur was in die orde grootte van 1 ºC. ‘n Een-kamer gebou is aangeneem om as basis te dien waarop die volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe aangewend kon word vir teoretiese simulasie. Die een-kamer gebou het uit vier buite mure en ‘n horisontale beton dak bestaan. Nag ventilasie, aktiewe massa verkoeling en die dakverkoelingstelsel is toegepas op die een-kamer gebou en die kamer se verkoelingslas asook die kamer se lugtempertuur is teoreties gesimuleer. Die teoretiese simulasies is ook herhaal vir die geval waar die dakwater and dakspuitstelsel apart aangewend is op die een-kamer gebou. Die teoretiese simulasie berekeninge is uitgevoer vir tipiese somer weersomstandighede vir Stellenbosch, Suid Afrika. Onder basisgeval omstandighede, waar die een-kamer gebou gesimuleer is, sonder enige volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe en ‘n termostaat verstelling van 22 ºC, is die piek verkoelingslas bereken as 74.73 W/m². Met die toepassing van nagventilasie tussen die ure 24:00 en 07:00 was die piekverkoelingslas van die kamer verminder met 5.2% deur 3.9 W/m² se verkoeling te verskaf en die piekkamer temperatuur te verminder met 1.4 ºC. Aktiewe massa verkoeling is gesimuleer deur water teen ‘n konstante temperatuur van 15 ºC te verskaf aan ‘n pypnetwerk, geïnstalleer in the beton dak, van die een-kamer gebou. Geboue geleë aan die kus kan tipies seewater oorweeg as ‘n bron van koue water. Aktiewe massa verkoeling het die piekverkoelingslas van die een-kamer gebou verminder met 50% deur 37.2 W/m² se verkoeling te verskaf en die piekkamer temperatuur te verminder met 6.7 ºC. Wanneer die dakspuit- en dakwaterstelsel aangewend is op die een-kamer gebou as enkel staande stelsels, is die piekverkoelingslas verminder met 30% en 51% onderskeidelik. Dit is ekwivalent aan 22.3 W/m² se verkoeling vir die dakspuitstelsel en 38 W/m² se verkoeling vir die dakwaterstelsel. Die dakspuitstelsel het die piekkamer temperatuur verminder met 3.71 ºC terwyl die dakwaterstelsel ‘n 5.9 ºC verlaging in piekkamer temperatuur tot gevolg gehad het. Die dakverkoelingstelsel het 46 W/m² se piekverkoeling verskaf wat ‘n 61.1% vermindering in piekverkoelingslas tot gevolg gehad het. Die ooreenstemmende piek temperatuur vermindering is 8 ºC. Deur die verskeie volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe met mekaar te vergelyk, word getoon dat die dakverkoelingstelsel die mees effektiefste manier is om die een- kamer se piekverkoelingslas te verminder. Oor ‘n tydperk van 24 uur het die dakverkoelingstelsel die totale energievloei na die een-kamer gebou met 57.3% verminder. In ‘n verdere poging om die piekverkoelingslas te verminder, is die volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe toegepas in kombinasies op die een-kamer gebou. Die kombinasie van nagventilasie met die dakspuitstelsel het die piekverkoelingslas met 36% verminder, terwyl ‘n kombinasie van nagventilasie en aktiewe massa verkoeling ‘n 55% vermindering in piekverkoelingslas tot gevolg gehad het. Die kombinasie van dakwater en nagventilasie het ook ‘n piekverkoelingslas vermindering van 55% teweeggebring. Die kombinasie van dakwater, aktiewe massa verkoeling en nagventilasie het 51 W/m² se verkoeling veskaf, wat ooreenstem met ‘n 68% vermindering in piekverkoelingslas. Deur die volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe in kombinasies toe te pas op die een-kamer gebou, kon beter resultate verkry word toe dit vergelyk is met die geval waar die volhoubare verkoelingsalternatiewe as enkelstaande stelsels toegepas is. Dit is geïllustreer deur middel van ‘n sensitiwiteitsanalise dat die vermoë van die dakverkoelingstelsel om koue water te produseer, beïnvloed word deur buitelug kondisies, waterdruppel deursnee en dakspuit massa vloeitempo. Onder die oop hemelruimteomstandighede, ‘n buitelug temperatuur van 15 ºC, ‘n relatiewe humiditeit van 80%, ‘n dakspuit massa vloeitempo van 0.02 kg/sm² en dakwatervlak van 100 mm, kon water verkoel word teen ‘n tempo van 113 W/m². Die dakspuit gedeelte het 28 W/m² bygedra terwyl die nagruim radiasie sowat 85 W/m² se verkoeling verskaf het. Daar moet egter kennis geneem word dat die water temperatuur van die dakverkoelingstelsel nooit verminder kan word tot onder die buitelug doupunttemperatuur nie.

Buildings have a significant impact on energy usage and the environment. Much of the research in architectural sustainability has centered on economically advanced countries because they consume the most energy and have the most resources. However, sustainable architecture is important in developing countries, where the energy consumption of the building sector is increasing significantly. Currently, developing countries struggle with vaccine storage because vaccines are typically warehoused in old buildings that are poorly designed and wasteful of energy. This thesis created and studied a decision support tool that can be used to aid in the design of economically feasible Net Zero Energy vaccine warehouses for the developing world. The decision support tool used a simulation-optimization approach to combine an optimization technique with two simulation softwares in order to determine the cost-optimal design solution. To test its effectiveness, a new national vaccine storage facility located in Tunis, Tunisia was used. Nine building parameters were investigated to see which have the most significant effect on the annual energy usage and initial construction cost of the building. First, tests were conducted for two construction techniques, five different climates in the developing world, and three photovoltaic system prices to gain insight on the design space of the optimal solution. The results showed the difference between an economically efficient and economically inefficient Net Zero Energy building and the results were used to provide generalized climatic recommendations for all the building parameters studied. The final test showed the benefits of combining two optimization techniques, a design of experiments and a genetic algorithm, to form a two-step process to aid in the building design in the early stages and final stages of the design process. The proposed decision support tool can efficiently and effectively aid in the design of an economically feasible Net Zero Energy vaccine warehouse for the developing world.