Environmental and Human Impact of Buildings: An Energetics Perspective (Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering)

Featuring research on topics such as low energy buildings' concepts, construction materials and technology, hybrid energy systems, energy balance, and wellbeing, this book meets the expectations of academicians, specialists and researchers in the field, along with the scholars seeking coverage on buildings, environmental and human impact. It presents an integrated approach to the buildings' energetic aspects, from the perspective of environmental impact, together with the indoor wellbeing. In this respect, the chapters include state of the art, case studies, as well as research results that validate the raised hypotheses. The book integrates topics related to buildings' performance, approached by researchers with different backgrounds within the civil engineering domain, i.e. achieved energetics performances, obstacles, restrictions and limitations issues within design and optimization processes, including the new perspectives in the buildings & energy sector. Contents 1 Current Practices in Energy Retrofit of Buildings 1.1 The Situation of Existing Buildings Fund Across Europe 1.1.1 Introduction 1.1.2 Statistical Analysis of Buildings Fund Across Europe 1.2 Classical Solutions for Thermal Retrofit 1.2.1 Traditional Thermal Insulation Materials 1.2.2 Thermal Insulation Systems Available on the Market 1.3 Modern Solutions: Prefabricated Insulation Panels 1.3.1 Introduction 1.3.2 Advantages 1.3.3 Setbacks 1.3.4 Design Specifications and Requirements 1.3.5 Pilot Systems and Practical Experiences 1.4 Prefabricated Panels Used in Romania. An Analysis 1.4.1 Introduction 1.4.2 Residential Buildings 1.4.3 Public Buildings 1.4.4 Other Private Buildings 1.5 Conclusions 1.6 Key Terms and Definitions References 2 Concepts of Energy-Efficient Buildings 2.1 Introduction. The Present State of the Natural Environment 2.2 The Need for Energy-Efficient Buildings in the Present Global Sustainable Development Context 2.3 Principles of Energy-Efficient Buildings 2.4 Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings 2.5 Passive House 2.6 Multi-comfort House 2.7 Conclusions References 3 Indoor Environment from Wellbeing Perspectives 3.1 Introduction. The Concept of Wellbeing and Its Necessity 3.2 The Indoor Environment Quality 3.3 The Hygrothermal Comfort 3.3.1 Challenges in Context of Climate Change 3.3.2 Role of Hygrothermal Comfort 3.3.3 The Hygrothermal Comfort Analysis 3.3.4 Indoor Environmental Parameters for Design 3.4 Visual Comfort 3.5 Indoor Environment Quality 3.5.1 The Design of Ventilation Rates in Buildings 3.6 Acoustic Comfort 3.7 Conclusion 3.8 Key Terms and Definitions References 4 The Investigation of the Relationship Between Exposure to Nature and Emotional Well-Being. A Theoretical Review 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 Exposure to Nature 4.1.2 Well-Being 4.2 Main Focus of the Chapter 4.3 Solutions and Recommendations 4.4 Conclusion References 5 Impact of Thermal Bridges in Low Energy Buildings 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 The Issue of Thermal Bridges 5.1.2 The Modelling Program Used 5.1.3 Materials and Modelling Conditions Considered in the Analyses 5.1.4 Purpose 5.2 Thermal Transfer Analyzes 5.2.1 Field Areas 5.2.2 Wall Angles 5.2.3 Intersection Between Outer Wall and Interior Wall 5.2.4 Intersection Between Slabs and Outer Walls 5.2.5 Connection Infrastructure—Outer Wall, Building with Basement 5.2.6 Connection Between Exterior Walls and “Last” Slab (Terrace Roof) 5.2.7 Influence of the Anchoring System of the Thermal Insulation on the Heat Transfer 5.3 Conclusions and Recommendations References 6 Movement Regimes and Determining the Main Parameters of Oscillating and Vibrating Conveyors 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Background 6.2.1 Oscillating Conveyors. Construction and Operation 6.2.2 Vibrating Conveyors. Construction and Classification 6.3 Main Focus of the Chapter 6.3.1 Determination of Transport Parameters of Oscillating Conveyors 6.3.2 Determination of Transport Parameters of Vibrating Conveyors 6.4 Solutions and Recommendations 6.5 Conclusion 6.6 Glossary References 7 Energy Geostructures: An Innovative Renewable Energy Technology for Cooling and Heating of Buildings 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Aspects Related to the Evolution of Energy Usage and Demands Worldwide 7.3 Energy Geostructures. Concept 7.3.1 Innovative Geothermal Energy System 7.4 Energy Geostructures from Research to Practice 7.4.1 Geotechnical Considerations 7.4.2 Energy Considerations 7.4.3 Design Considerations 7.4.4 Real Implementations of the Energy Geostructures 7.5 Conclusion References 8 Environmental Impact of Buildings Heating Systems: Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Hub 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Carbon Background 8.3 Environmental Impact of Buildings’ Heating Systems 8.3.1 Problem Formulation 8.3.2 Energy Hub Modeling 8.3.3 Indicators of Performance 8.4 Case Study 8.4.1 Solar Resource 8.4.2 Consumers Profile 8.4.3 Hybrid District Heating System. Working Scenarios 8.5 Results and Discussion 8.6 Solutions and Recommendations 8.7 Conclusion References 9 Performances of Solar Thermal Collectors in Different Climatic Conditions 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Background 9.3 Fundamentals of Solar Radiation 9.4 Elements of “Solar Geometry” 9.5 The Efficiency of Thermal Solar Collectors 9.5.1 The Efficiency of Thermal Solar Collectors Without Solar Concentrators 9.5.2 The Efficiency of Thermal Solar Collectors with Solar Concentrators 9.5.3 Incidence Angle at Collectors with Parabolic Concentrators 9.5.4 Incidence Angle Modifier 9.5.5 Synthesis of Numerical Modelling 9.5.6 Numerical Example 9.6 Conclusions References 10 Impact of Heavy Metals from Building and Constructive Materials on Aquatic Environment 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Causes of Heavy Metal Pollution 10.2.1 Smelting 10.2.2 Electroplating 10.2.3 Industrial Effluents 10.3 Metals in the Aquatic System 10.4 Heavy Metals and Animal Bodies 10.5 Effects of Heavy Metals on Fishes and Other Marine Fauna 10.5.1 Effects of Cadmium (Cd) 10.5.2 Effects of Copper (Cu) 10.5.3 Effects of Iron (Fe) 10.5.4 Effects of Manganese (Mn) 10.5.5 Effects of Nickel (Ni) 10.5.6 Effects of Lead (Pb) 10.5.7 Effects of Zinc (Zn) 10.6 Diseases Caused by Heavy Metal Poisoning 10.6.1 Minamata Disease 10.6.2 Itai-Itai Disease 10.7 Assumption and Recommendations 10.8 Conclusion References 11 Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Energy Efficient Buildings: Theory and Study Case 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Background 11.3 Life Cycle Cost Analysis Methodology 11.4 Case Study: Comparative Life Cycle Cost Analysis of a Residential Building 11.4.1 Description of the Energy Efficiency Scenarios 11.5 Energy Consumption Evaluation 11.5.1 Energy Models 11.5.2 Simulation Results 11.6 Life-Cycle Cost Calculation 11.6.1 Initial Investment Assessment 11.6.2 Periods of Analysis, Discount Rate and Price Growth Rate 11.6.3 Annual Costs, Replacement Costs and Residual Value 11.6.4 Life-Cycle Cost Results 11.7 Sensitivity Analyses 11.8 Conclusion 11.9 Future Research Directions References 12 Life Cycle Assessment, an Integrated Vision to Energy Efficiency in the Building Industry 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Background 12.3 LCA Regulations in Construction Industry 12.4 Main Phases of LCA 12.4.1 Goal and Scope 12.4.2 Life Cycle Inventory 12.4.3 LCI Methods 12.4.4 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) 12.4.5 LCA Results Interpretation 12.5 Data Sources 12.6 Allocation Method 12.7 Versions of LCA Studies 12.7.1 Cradle-to-Grave 12.7.2 Cradle-to-Gate 12.7.3 Cradle-to-Gate with Options 12.7.4 Cradle-to-Cradle 12.7.5 Gate-to-Gate 12.7.6 Well-to-Wheel 12.8 Impact Categories 12.9 Life Cycle Assessment Tools 12.10 LCA Uses and Benchmarking 12.11 Case Study: Energy Efficient High School Building in Romania 12.11.1 Features of the Building 12.11.2 Features of the Assessment According to the Construction and Operating Phases 12.11.3 Implementation of the LCA in the National Legislation 12.12 Conclusion References