Housing Development through the BIM Methodology to Reach the Powerhouse Standard by Applying Rammed-Earth Techniques and Solar Energy
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 1
Abstract
As cities and economies grow, energy demands also grow, especially in developing countries, given the material production, construction, and operational processes of buildings and cities. Since the recent Powerhouse standard assumes that a building can generate as much energy as it will require during its lifespan, the present study aimed to implement this building standard in the Andean equatorial climate. For this purpose, a building energy model (BEM) integrated into a building information modeling (BIM) process design method was proposed, developing a prototype with vernacular technology, high solar potential, and local or regional data on embodied energy in accordance with a life cycle assessment (LCA) from cradle to grave. Solar potential estimations were complemented by system advisor model (SAM) tool projections. Because of the low energy content of the vernacular architecture proposal and prototype development with a high generation capacity, this standard can be met six times faster in the Andean equatorial climate than in extreme seasonal climates (8.53 years versus 60.0 years). The main goal of our research was to propose a methodological approach that integrates the BEM tool with vernacular concepts and materials and architectural formal criteria for high solar exploitation that, with background data from the literature, makes it possible to decipher the capability of the proposed energy standard.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of Cuenca (Universidad de Cuenca—UCuenca) and is part of the research project entitled “Modelado y mediciones de condiciones ambientales interiores e integración de energía solar, para alcanzar el Estándar Net-Zero en edificaciones FAUC [Modeling and measurements of indoor environmental conditions and solar integration to achieve the Net-Zero-Energy Building Standard in UCuenca Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism (Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo—FAUC) Buildings].”
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 1 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 6, 2023
Accepted: Oct 31, 2023
Published online: Jan 9, 2024
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jun 9, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building information modeling
- Building management
- Buildings
- Climates
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Continuum mechanics
- Deformation (mechanics)
- Energy engineering
- Energy infrastructure
- Energy methods
- Energy sources (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Infrastructure
- Lifeline systems
- Power plants
- Renewable energy
- Solar power
- Solid mechanics
- Structural engineering
- Structural mechanics
- Structures (by type)
- Urban and regional development
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