abstract: An acute and crucial societal problem is the energy consumed in existing commercial buildings. There are 1.5 million commercial buildings in the U.S. with only about 3% being built each year. Hence, existing buildings need to be properly operated and maintained for several decades. Application of integrated centralized control systems in buildings could lead to more than 50% energy savings. This research work demonstrates an innovative adaptive integrated lighting control approach which could achieve significant energy savings and increase indoor comfort in high performance office buildings. In the first phase of the study, a predictive algorithm was developed and validated through experiments in an actual test room. The objective was to regulate daylight on a specified work plane by controlling the blind slat angles. Furthermore, a sensor-based integrated adaptive lighting controller was designed in Simulink which included an innovative sensor optimization approach based on genetic algorithm to minimize the number of sensors and efficiently place them in the office. The controller was designed based on simple integral controllers. The objective of developed control algorithm was to improve the illuminance situation in the office through controlling the daylight and electrical lighting. To evaluate the performance of the system, the controller was applied on experimental office model in Lee et al.’s research study in 1998. The result of the developed control approach indicate a significantly improvement in lighting situation and 1-23% and 50-78% monthly electrical energy savings in the office model, compared to two static strategies when the blinds were left open and closed during the whole year respectively. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Architecture 2015

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:09:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 11721835 bytes, checksum: d91df33daa9451f253a6f22c8d5b1f6b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work addresses topics such as shading devices, shading and daylighting. It aims at verifying the efficiency of shading devices found classroom buildings at UFPB's campus I, with respect to shading and daylighting. The results of the research focus in the diagnosis of the solutions in the case study, by using three dimensional models (3D) and computer simulation. The digital models were constructed from data collected in field surveys. The computer programs used were the Solar Tool, Ecotect and Daysim. In parallel, we investigated a set of hypothetical situations, considering all the solutions found in the survey, in order to identify the performance of the solutions in other orientation facade. The evaluation of the models was made from performance measures such as the percentage of shading, percentage of sky visibility and useful daylight illuminances (UDI). From the results, we observed that: a) south-oriented façades with unprotected openings allow for environments with higher levels and better distribution of natural lighting; b) a large part of the orientation facade analyzed, except in the northwest and east, more than 50% of the samples obtained a good performance of daylighting; c) the percentage of shading is not enough to say whether an element of sunscreen is effective or not, which can generate misleading conclusions when used alone; d) the correlation of the performance of daylighting and performance of shading with the percentage of sky visibility, showed that for every orientation facade there is an optimal ratio between the percentage of shading and the percentage of sky visibility, and for the facade analyzed, the values of these measures are generally around 88.7% of shading of the opening and 8.1% of sky visibility. / Este trabalho aborda temas como elementos de proteção solar, sombreamento e iluminação natural. Tem como objetivo a verificação da eficiência de proteções solares encontradas em edificações de salas de aula no campus I da UFPB, no que diz respeito ao sombreamento e à iluminação natural. Os resultados da investigação centram-se no diagnóstico das soluções encontradas no estudo de caso, através da utilização de modelos tridimensionais (3D) e simulação computacional. Os modelos digitais foram construídos a partir de dados coletados em levantamento de campo. Os programas computacionais utilizados foram o Solar Tool, Daysim e o Ecotect. Em paralelo, foi investigado um conjunto de situações hipotéticas, considerando todas as soluções encontradas no levantamento, com objetivo de identificar o desempenho das soluções em outras orientações. A avaliação dos modelos foi feita a partir de medidas de desempenho como o percentual de sombreamento, percentual de visibilidade do céu e do useful daylight illuminances (UDI). Com os resultados obtidos foi possível observar que: a) fachadas com aberturas sem proteção orientadas para o Sul geram ambientes com melhores níveis e distribuição da iluminação natural; b) em grande parte das orientações analisadas, exceto na Noroeste e Leste, mais de 50% da amostra obteve um bom desempenho da iluminação natural; c) o percentual de sombreamento não é suficiente para afirmar se um sombreamento é eficaz ou não, podendo gerar conclusões equivocadas quando utilizado isoladamente; d) a correlação da performance da iluminação natural e do desempenho do sombreamento com o percentual de visibilidade do céu, mostrou que para cada orientação existe uma relação ideal do percentual de sombreamento com o percentual de visibilidade do céu, sendo que para as orientações analisadas os valores destas medidas se encontraram, em geral, próximo de 88,7% de sombreamento da abertura e 8,1% de visibilidade do céu.

A humid subtropical climate is characterized by a predominant partly cloudy sky, which increases the intensity of solar radiation, and makes shade an essential requeriment. Thus, the indoor daylighting environment may depend more on reflected light than on direct light. Planning the shape of the surfaces is an important means of making full use of the reflected sunlight. In this regard, shading devices can be designed that just obstruct the view of the sky enough to provide shade, by reflecting the sunlight for the environment, and reducing this loss. The aim of this doctoral research is to study the performance of shading devices in classrooms with regard to their luminous power when capturing reflected sunlight in Maceió, so as to determine the potential use of sunlight in these elements. Three variables of these devices were defined for this: the number of pieces, specularity and reflectance of the surfaces devices. The resulting models from the combination of these variables were analyzed to calculate the reflected sunlight efficiency, rate employed in this research. The software used for the computational simulations of these models was TropLux. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine which variables had the greatest impact on the reflected sunlight efficiency and to relate the rate to the daylighting performance through indicators of availability, distribution and the maintenance of illuminance inside the environment: these included the annual average illuminance and uniformity rate, and spatial daylight autonomy. The results showed that the reflectance of the devices is the variable that has the most positive influence on the reflected sunlight efficiency, and is able to increase the rate by up to 142%. The annual average illuminance and the spatial daylight autonomy were positively related to the efficiency and the defined parameterization also led to an increase of their values. With regard to the distribution of illuminances, the variations of the analyzed parameters resulted in a reduction of the uniformity rate in most of the cases studied. The increase in specularity and specular reflectance in the models facing east reduced the rate by up to 34% and 41%, respectively. Increasing the number of components in the system devices installed in lateral openings, only provides a valid solution for the increase of the illumination when these elements have a high reflectance, especially specular. This represents a more efficient strategy in the case of the north facade. Among the analyzed models, in the systems with the largest number of components, and where the surface finishing process provides specular reflection, there is a greater use of sunlight in the reflected form. The use of light colors, such as white, beige and yellow, also benefit the use of sunlight, especially if they are used in materials with specular reflection. In contrast, the high reflectances resulted in a reduction of the uniformity of illumination in the environment. From the results of the studies carried out into reflected sunlight efficiency, it can be stated that it is possible to increase the use of sunlight through the variation of certain shading devices and, hence, to bring benefits by making daylighting available in the environment. / O clima quente e úmido caracteriza-se pelo predomínio do céu parcialmente nublado, o que torna intensa a radiação solar, impondo a necessidade de sombreamento. Assim, a iluminação natural no interior do ambiente pode depender mais da luz refletida do que da luz natural direta. Planejar a forma das superfícies é um importante recurso para o aproveitamento da luz solar refletida. Neste sentido, dispositivos de sombreamento podem ser projetados para obstruir a visão do céu apenas o necessário para o sombreamento, refletindo a luz solar para o ambiente e minimizando essa perda. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa de doutorado é estudar o desempenho de dispositivos de sombreamento em salas de aula com relação à eficiência luminosa na captação da luz solar refletida, em Maceió, a fim de que seja identificado o potencial de aproveitamento da luz solar desses elementos. Para isso foram definidas três variáveis desses dispositivos: número de peças, especularidade e refletância das superfícies dos brises. Os modelos resultantes da combinação dessas variáveis foram analisados quanto à eficiência da luz solar refletida, índice proposto nesta pesquisa. O programa utilizado para as simulações computacionais desses modelos foi o TropLux. Análises estatísticas foram desenvolvidas a fim de identificar as variáveis de maior impacto para a eficiência da luz solar refletida e relacionar o índice ao desempenho da iluminação, através de indicadores de disponibilidade, distribuição e manutenção da iluminância no ambiente: iluminância média anual, uniformidade média anual e autonomia de luz natural espacial. Os resultados mostraram que a refletância dos dispositivos é a variável que mais influencia positivamente a eficiência da luz solar refletida, chegando a incrementar em até 142% o índice. A iluminância média anual e a autonomia de luz natural espacial foram relacionados positivamente à eficiência e a parametrização definida também contribuiu para a ampliação dos seus valores. Quanto à distribuição de iluminâncias, a variação dos parâmetros analisados resultou em redução do índice de uniformidade, na maioria dos casos estudados. O aumento da especularidade e da refletância especular em modelos voltados para Leste reduziram o índice em 34% e 41%, respectivamente. Aumentar o número de peças em sistemas de dispositivos inseridos em aberturas laterais apenas corresponde a uma solução válida para o incremento da iluminação quando tais elementos possuem alta refletância, sobretudo especular. Tal medida representa uma estratégia mais eficiente no caso da fachada Norte. Entre os modelos analisados, os sistemas com maior número de peças, cujo acabamento das superfícies proporciona reflexão especular, são capazes de promover maior aproveitamento da luz solar na forma refletida. O uso de cores claras, como branco, creme e amarelo, também favorece o aproveitamento da luz solar, sobretudo se forem empregadas em materiais com reflexão especular. Por outro lado, altas refletâncias resultaram em redução da uniformidade da iluminação no ambiente. A partir dos resultados dos estudos de eficiência da luz solar refletida desenvolvidos, pode-se afirmar que é possível ampliar o aproveitamento da luz solar através da variação de determinadas características de dispositivos de sombreamento e, consequentemente, trazer benefícios para a disponibilidade de iluminação no ambiente.

Electrochromic (EC) glazing has emerged as an alternative to traditional forms of glazing. It has the potential to enable occupants to control daylight ingress without the use of blinds, giving users more access to daylight with all its inherent benefits. Research efforts to date have been mainly focussed on the potential of EC glazing as an energy saving technology through the reduction of electric lighting and air conditioning energy loads, using scale models, computer simulations and full scale test rooms. Few studies have considered the user experience of the technology, and none of the studies that have included data from human participants have been carried out in a real-world research setting over a long-term period. Thus, there is a general lack of understanding regarding the performance and suitability of EC glazing in real-world working environments. To address this gap in research, a new study of EC glazing was undertaken, looking at the experience of occupants working in an office that had been retrofitted with EC-glazed windows. The retrofit was the first of its kind in the UK, and provided an opportunity to study the user experience of EC glazing in a real-world setting over a longitudinal period. The aims of the study were to gain new insights into the experience of users of EC glazing, and to learn about the practicalities of installing it. A number of research questions were defined, leading to a mixed methods data collection programme, carried out over a period of almost 18 months. The data collection encompassed data from the occupants as well as from the physical environment, and was designed in response to the constraints of the site and occupants, as well as the aims of the research enquiry. The resulting data set includes a valuable record of occupant experiences and behaviour, as well as detailed information about environmental conditions at key times. A number of contextual factors influencing the effectiveness of EC glazing were identified. The outcomes of this research provide a new understanding of the user experience of EC glazing, and thus can inform further technological development and benefit future installations.

Projetar sistemas de janela considerando a adequação climática envolve lidar com os efeitos do meio externo, que são dinâmicos, e com estratégias que podem ser conflitantes, tais como o controle do ganho de calor solar e aproveitamento da iluminação natural, ambos elementos provenientes da radiação do Sol. Parte-se do princípio de que isso é feito considerando o impacto de diferentes variáveis de projeto em diferentes indicadores de desempenho simultaneamente, para suporte a decisão. O estudo do efeito dessas variáveis de projeto da janela quando combinadas ainda não é consolidado, especialmente no caso de localidades de baixa latitude. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa de doutorado é avaliar sistemas de janela estáticos e dinâmicos para suporte a decisões de projeto arquitetônico, quanto a diferentes critérios de desempenho relacionados à iluminação natural e uso de energia, de forma integrada. São estudados sistemas de janela compostos por uma abertura envidraçada e proteções solares de aletas horizontais externas, fixas e móveis. O recorte engloba edificações com uso de escritório no contexto do clima quente e úmido da cidade de Maceió-AL. Para isso, simulações computacionais integradas utilizando os softwares Daysim e EnergyPlus foram realizadas, considerando o acionamento das lâmpadas apenas quando a luz natural não fosse suficiente para atender ao uso do ambiente. As variáveis de projeto analisadas foram: percentual de área de abertura, tipo de vidro, ângulo de sombreamento, quantidade de aletas, tipo de acionamento do sistema de proteção solar e orientação da abertura. As soluções arquitetônicas resultantes das combinações de todas as variáveis entre si foram avaliadas com relação à disponibilidade e distribuição da luz natural e demanda de energia elétrica para condicionamento do ar e iluminação artificial no ambiente interno, e classificadas segundo dois indicadores principais. Foram identificadas as variáveis de projeto dentre as analisadas com maior potencial de impacto no desempenho obtido em diferentes situações. Os resultados mostraram que é possível uma alternativa se encontrar em uma faixa de 10% melhores cenários nos dois indicadores ao mesmo tempo. Observou-se ainda que, apesar de a demanda de energia para condicionamento do ar ser frequentemente maior do que a demanda para iluminação, o desempenho da abertura quanto à iluminação pode ter um peso decisivo na escolha de projeto, pois este indicador de desempenho é mais sensível às variáveis da janela estudadas do que o primeiro. Por fim, observou-se que os protetores solares dinâmicos não são garantia de melhoria de desempenho em relação a sistemas estáticos. / Designing window systems in a climate responsive way involves dealing with the effects of the external environment, which are dynamic, and strategies that may conflict, such as daylight and control of solar heat gains, both elements related to the sun. This research assumes that this is done considering the impact of different design variables in different performance indicators simultaneously, for decision support. The study of the effect of window design variables when combined is not yet consolidated, especially in case of low latitude locations. The general objective of this doctoral research is to evaluate static and dynamic window systems to support architectural design decisions regarding different performance criteria related to daylight and energy use, in an integrated manner. The studied window system consists of a glazed opening and external horizontal slat-type shading devices, fixed and mobile, in offices in the hot and humid climate of the city of Maceió-AL. For this, computer integrated simulations using Daysim and EnergyPlus software were carried out, considering the activation of the lighting system only when daylight is not sufficient to meet the usage requirements. The design variables analyzed were window-to-wall ratio, glazing type, cut-off angle, number of slats, type of shading control and orientation. Architectural solutions resulting from combinations of all variables were evaluated regarding the availability and distribution of daylight and electricity demand for air conditioning and artificial lighting in the indoor environment. The solutions were then rated and ranked according to two main indicators. The design variables among the analyzed with potential of high impact in the obtained performance in different situations were identified. The results showed that it is possible an alternative be in a range of 10% best scenarios in the two criteria at the same time. It was also observed that, although the energy demand for conditioning air often be greater than the lighting energy demand, the performance of the window on daylight can have a decisive weight on the design choice, because this performance indicator is more sensitive to the window variables than the first. Finally, it was observed that the dynamic shading systems are not performance-enhancing guarantee compared to static systems.

<p>In perimeter building zones with glass façades, controllable fenestration (daylighting/shading) and electric lighting systems are used as comfort delivery systems under dynamic weather conditions, and their operation affects daylight provision, outside view, lighting energy use, as well as overall occupant satisfaction with the visual environment. A well-designed daylighting and lighting control should be able to achieve high level of satisfaction while minimizing lighting energy consumption. Existing daylighting control studies focus on minimizing energy use with general visual comfort constraints, when adaptive and personalized controls are needed in high performance office buildings. Therefore, reliable and efficient models and methods for learning occupants’ personalized visual preference or satisfaction are required, and the development of optimal daylighting controls requires integrated considerations of visual preference/satisfaction and energy use. </p> <p>In this Dissertation, a novel method is presented first for developing personalized visual satisfaction profiles in daylit offices using Bayesian inference. Unlike previous studies based on action data, a set of experiments with human subjects was designed and conducted to collect comparative visual preference data (by changing visual conditions) in private offices. A probit model structure was adopted to connect the comparative preference with a latent satisfaction utility model, assumed in the form of a parametrized Gaussian bell function. The distinct visual satisfaction models were then inferred using Bayesian approach with preference data. The posterior estimations of model parameters, and inferred satisfaction utility functions were investigated and compared, with results reflecting the different overall visual preference characteristics discovered for each person.</p> <p>Second, we present an online visual preference elicitation learning framework for efficiently learning and eliciting occupants’ visual preference profiles and hidden satisfaction utilities. Another set of experiments with human subjects was conducted to implement the proposed learning algorithm in order to validate the feasibility of the method. A combination of Thompson sampling and pure exploration (uncertainty learning) methods was used to balance exploration and exploitation when targeting the near-maximum area of utility during the learning process. Distinctive visual preference profiles of 13 subjects were learned under different weather conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of the learning framework. Entropy of the distribution of the most preferred visual condition is computed for each learned preference profile to quantify the certainty. Learning speed varies with subjects, but using a single variable model (vertical illuminance on the eye), most subjects could be learned to an acceptable certainty level within one day of stable weather, which shows the efficiency of the method (learning outcomes). </p> <p>Finally, a personalized shading control framework is developed to maximize occupant satisfaction while minimizing lighting energy use in daylit offices with roller shades. An integrated lighting-daylighting simulation model is used to predict lighting energy use while it also provides inputs for computing personalized visual preference profiles, previously developed using Bayesian inference from comparative preference data. The satisfaction utility and the predicted lighting energy use are then used to form an optimization framework. We demonstrate the results of: (i) a single objective formulation, where the satisfaction utility is simply used as a constraint to when minimizing lighting energy use and (ii) a multi-objective optimization scheme, where the satisfaction utility and predicted lighting energy use are formulated as parallel objectives. Unlike previous studies, we present a novel way to apply the MOO without assigning arbitrary weights to objectives: allowing occupants to be the final decision makers in real-time balancing between their personalized visual satisfaction and energy use considerations, within dynamic hidden optimal bounds – through a simple interface. </p> <p>In summary, we present the first method to incorporate personalized visual preferences in optimal daylighting control, with energy use considerations, without using generic occupant behavior models or discomfort-based assumptions.</p>

The field of building services and the topic of interior user-centric climate has been gaining on importance in recent years. The pandemic of COVID-19 has resulted in an increased amount of time spent indoors, extensive energy usage in the built environment, and has also brought up the important issue of a pleasant interior climate. These two implications have become prominent on top of the ones resulting from the existent, persistently growing threat which is posed on our planet by climate change. Rising temperatures &amp; increasing amount of sunlight, extensive energy consumption due to higher demand for cooling and heating, especially in large buildings (i.e. office buildings) occupied by large amounts of people with different preferences and user habits - these are all challenges we now have to face. Considering these challenges, this thesis suggests how a holistic approach could protect against them, mitigate their further development and so prevent their future impact on us humans. The overarching goal of this thesis, the pursuit of the “ideal” interior climate in office buildings, is achieved through setting up scenarios where different variations of daylighting, thermal comfort and energy consumption will be experimented with. The “ideal” interior climate will then be determined through assessing these scenarios and their corresponding results, yielding a recommendation for building future office spaces - these will no longer be only functional and provide shelter, but will also support interior occupant comfort and be efficient while doing so.

No description available.

A pesquisa debruça-se sobre a arquitetura religiosa moderna produzida no Brasil, sua trajetória e seu processo de renovação ao longo do século XX, tendo a luz natural como o protagonista deste espaço e o uso das técnicas de proporcionamento na composição plástica das igrejas como eficazes em mobilizar a percepção humana. O objeto de estudo da presente pesquisa configura-se através da arquitetura religiosa produzida por personagens do Movimento Moderno no Brasil: Oscar Niemeyer, Edgar Guimarães do Valle, Dominikus Böhm, Gottfried Böhm, Adolf Franz Heep, Edgar Oliveira Fonseca, Joaquim Guedes, Hans Broos, Antônio Carlos Farias Pedrosa, Jerônimo Bonilha Esteves, Israel Sancovski e Carlos Alberto Naves. Numa delimitação histórica, restringe-se ao período entre 1940 e 1970, fase de implementação, assimilação e consolidação dos princípios modernos no Brasil. Através do estudo e análise das capelas e igrejas escolhidas, a pesquisa desvenda as formas pelas quais o arquiteto entendeu o conceito luminoso, o problema de medidas e de proporções e como isso se refletiu nas expressões e linguagens que envolvem a arquitetura. Para isso, o trabalho analisa treze obras. Os programas representativos dessa arquitetura a serem estudados serão capelas e igrejas católicas. / The research focuses on modern religious architecture produced in Brazil, its history and its process of renewal throughout the twentieth century and the natural light as the protagonist of this space and the use of proportioning techniques in plastic composition of the churches as effective to mobilize human perception. The study object of this research is configured through religious architecture produced by Modern Movement in Brazil characters: Oscar Niemeyer, Edgar Guimarães Valle, Dominikus Böhm, Gottfried Böhm, Adolf Franz Heep, Edgar Oliveira Fonseca, Joaquim Guedes, Hans Broos, Antonio Carlos Farias Pedrosa, Jeronimo Bonilha Esteves, Israel Sancovski and Carlos Alberto Naves. In a historical definition, is limited to the period between 1940 and 1970, the implementation phase, assimilation and consolidation of modern principles in Brazil. Through the study and analysis of the chosen chapels and churches, the research reveals the ways in which the architect got the bright idea, the problem of measurements and proportions and how it was reflected in the expressions and languages that involve architecture. For this, the paper analyzes thirteen works. Representative programs of this architecture to be studied will be chapels and Catholic churches.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar estratégias de iluminação natural utilizadas nos estágios iniciais do projeto de arquitetura capazes de aumentar a qualidade da iluminação e a conservação de energia nos edifícios escolares. Essas estratégias têm sido aplicadas com sucesso em edifícios escolares em vários países, melhorando o desempenho e o bem-estar dos estudantes e conservando energia. Entre essas estratégias, o autor selecionou um dispositivo zenital para iluminação natural com seleção angular e difusores opacos, realizou um ensaio experimental em um modelo físico reduzido de uma sala de aula padrão, sob condições de céu real e analisou comparativamente os resultados. O estudo mostrou que a adoção de uma metodologia para utilizar estratégias como a analisada neste trabalho pode conseguir um adequado controle da radiação solar para evitar a incidência direta da luz do Sol, evitar o ofuscamento e o aquecimento excessivo de ambientes de salas de aula em climas quentes e, ao mesmo tempo, aproveitar a iluminação natural, tanto difusa quanto direta refletida, para obter maior conforto visual e economizar energia. / This work aims to analyse daylighting strategies applied in early stages of architectural design as to improve lighting quality and energy savings in school buildings. Similar strategies have already been successfully applied in many countries around the world, enhancing student?s performance and well being while helping to save energy. Among the strategies studied, the author describes an experiment under real sky conditions using a physical scale model of a standard classroom equipped with a roof monitor combined with an overhang and interior vertical diffusing baffles as a way to check its influence in interior lighting conditions. The experiment has shown that the use of daylighting strategies can promote an adequate control of solar radiation, avoiding direct sunlight penetration inside the classrooms, limiting glare problems and excessive heat of hot climates. At the same time, such strategies optimise both direct and defuse use of daylight to improve visual comfort and energy savings.