Nowadays one of the new challenges that must be faced in the megacities is certainly the guaranty of settlements and lodgings with good performances realized with a quick and off-site construction system due to the growth of world population, the rapid urbanization, the migration’s intensification toward the rich countries and the new users requirements. The paper describes a study for an energy efficient, low cost construction modular system for multi-family housing, providing a high degree of flexibility and modularity. The first part of the research focuses on a state of art on housing projects realized in different countries. A critical review of these buildings leads to highlight the best technical and functional characteristics for each one with the aim to define a new proposal. The second part focuses on the identification of a modular grid allowing the creation of different flat layouts through the aggregation of modular units (rooms). The grid allows the addition of transitional spaces such as balconies, loggias and sunspaces according to the users’ wishes. Facades are modular as well, allowing préfabrication of envelope units. Different structural systems were analyzed those most suited to the required flexibility. The main goal of the study is to overcome the rigidity typical of prefabricated solutions developed in the previous decades, providing a modular lightweight construction solution for housing. In conclusion the paper presents all the different options, the pros and cons for each of these and it proposes a final solution that is still under development in terms of energy, cost and constructability analyses. Copyright©2013 IAHS.
The Moisture content analyses (MC) and the ultrasonic velocity measurements (UVM) promise to be particularly important to assess the state of deterioration and the adequacy of the boundary and microclimatic conditions for timber elements when applied to a building with an important artistic and historical value. These nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods supported by laboratory analyses of timber samples were applied in the inspection of a 16th century housing building, Corral del Conde in Seville, Spain. The methodology used was the non-destructive testing for determination of moisture content and measures from the times of transmission of ultrasonic waves to detect internal defaults. This methodology allows establishing the diagnosis of a wooden structure, obtaining an estimate of the degree of impairment of the same, and assessing the bearing capacity of timber elements for rehabilitation works. The combined interpretation of the results was done to assess the condition of structural timber elements in terms of their state of preservation, the dampness problems and the recent incompatible repairs affecting them. Results indicated that moist areas in the structure were associated with ground and roof drainage problems. Juxtaposition of the MC and UVM together with laboratory analyses was found to be useful to assess the different states of deterioration of timber, enhanced the accuracy and effectiveness of the survey and facilitated to build up the urgent and long-term conservation programs. Copyright©2013 IAHS.
Net Zero Energy Building design is a very important issue, since to reach the 2020 goal, an effective combination of envelope energy efficiency and integrated renewable systems is required. This paper investigates the case of a house located in northern Italy, in a temperate climate with warm summer. Starting from the actual energyefficient design of the house, parametric analyses are developed with the aim of understanding the effects of alternative / additional strategies that may lead to the ‘nearly zero energy’ performance. The variables considered in the parametrical analysis are related to the building envelope. On the energy demand side, passive solar design techniques such as passive solar heating, insulation and air tightness, solar control windows, shading and interior layout were taken into account to reduce the energy demand of the building. Innovative materials in the design and construction of the vertical and horizontal envelope were considered as well. Energy modeling was performed with the TRNSYS software in order to assess the energy transient behaviour of the house. Copyright©2013 IAHS.
In many developing countries, national construction performance measures and benchmarking processes are yet to be formulated, implemented and tracked. This inherent weakness of an economic sector has negative impacts on, productivity, efficiency and performance. This paper takes the Jordanian construction industry as a case study of a developing economy and highlights the significant challenges it faces in implementing performance measurement. Findings from this study reveal a number of specific and general characteristics, and the extent and seventy of industry-based barriers. The paper identifies a range of requirements at the national level that must be met to move from a state of relative disarray to an industry ready for the successful implementation of performance measurement and benchmarking. The authors anticipate that the findings of this paper will be of interest to academics and professionals involved in other developing countries’ construction industries.
Up to now the behaviour of the non-structural elements has scarcely been considered in the building seismic design; all the efforts and the design decisions have been in fact mainly focused on the structural components. The observation of the very significant technical and economical damages as well as of the loss of safety consequent to a lack of seismic features and resistance in the building fabric and particularly in the façades (intended as the complex of the external walls and their veneers), envisages the concrete need to extend the seismic design also to these nonstructural building parts. The paper will therefore deal with the analysis of the seismic behaviour and damage suffered in Italy by typical external walls and façades veneers with specific reference to the area of L’Aquila, heavily damaged by earthquake in 2009. The damage occurred in L’Aquila to a wide number of selected buildings is discussed and associated to the various types of masonry and veneers. As to the items of the building repair and new constructions in seismic areas, the paper refers to the practical case of the façade’s micro ventilated veneers and suggests some basic design and construction criteria for their safe application in areas classified with high probability of earthquake.
