Journal of Architectural Engineering

Recycled plastics (high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene) were used as coarse aggregates in concrete mixtures to alter and improve the thermal properties of buildings. Two similar retail buildings were designed and constructed in Lansing, Mich., one with normal concrete (control) and the other with high content of recycled mixed plastics. The thermal and energy performance of the two buildings were investigated and analyzed. Short-term (air tightness and infiltration, co-heating, lighting) and long-term monitoring were performed. The building simulation program SUNREL developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) was employed to simulate the energy performance of the two buildings and to validate the experimental data. Both experimental and SUNREL program results showed that the recycled plastic concrete building exhibited higher levels of energy efficiency and comfort when compared with the normal concrete (control) building. Recycled plastic concrete in combination with energy-efficient building design techniques proved to be of tremendous value in lowering the cooling and heating loads of the buildings and also in enhancing the comfort level of the buildings.

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system to be placed over the existing visitor center skylight for the Independence National Park in Philadelphia, Pa. using an integrated approach. The approach included calibrated building energy and lighting models (sensors and computational), estimation of the PV power produced, and cost taking into consideration the reduction based on cooling energy and emissions avoided by the displacement of purchased electricity (the mix of generating technologies in the local power control area was used to estimate avoided emissions). The design of the PV system was guided by the building orientation and skylight construction and was based on currently available PV modules. Several array sizes were considered since the choice of array size has implications for power production and shading, as well as for building cooling energy demand.

This paper presents a research methodology combining the contingent value method (CVM) and the Delphi model, creating an interactive stakeholder interaction to enhance decision making and influence project performance and funding of civil engineering (CE) projects. While CE has historically focused only on physical infrastructure needs, the CVM–Delphi model allows for maximum stakeholder participation in determining asset value. Specifically, the research model discussed in this paper gathered information from three groups (decision makers, businesses, and the general public) through three rounds of survey instruments gaging asset valuation of a recent highway renovation in rural Illinois. The methodology provides a viable tool for decision makers in other engineering arenas to increase customer focus prior to enacting policies or projects.

This paper briefly describes the background to light earth buildings and details a series of moisture measurements undertaken upon the clay and straw (light earth) constructed walls of two U.K.-based buildings. The methodology of measurement that was based upon previous studies undertaken on walls made from straw bales is described. A novel “in-wall” wet heating system used in one of the two buildings allows the investigation of the effects of direct wall heating upon the distribution of moisture in the walls. The influence of exterior and interior temperature and humidity are described as are the variations in moisture migration introduced by the in-wall heating system. It was concluded that both buildings have exterior wall moisture content readings that indicate little risk of degradation due to interior wall moisture levels (although the Studio walls do exhibit higher and if suffered over long time periods, dangerous moisture readings for part of the measurement period).

This paper discusses the development of virtual structural analysis program (VSAP). This is a virtual environment (VE) based structural analysis system developed through a collaborative effort between the School of Architecture + Design and the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. (Virginia Tech). The VSAP was developed by linking a visualization routine using the simple VE library and a structural analysis software, the PC-SAP4. Details of the design of four user interfaces for the VSAP are presented. These user interfaces are: the immersive pen and tablet interface, the desktop interface, the portable immersive interface, and the cave automatic VE immersive interface. Usability studies for each interface were conducted. Results of these studies indicated that the users of VSAP were highly satisfied with the experience. In addition, all the developed interfaces were found to be successful for their specific application.

This paper includes a brief review of the application of virtual environments in building sciences and presents details of the application of virtual structural analysis program (VSAP), a virtual reality based structural analysis system developed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. (Virginia Tech), in education and practice. Different elements and modeling options in addition to the implementation of two major earthquakes within VSAP for the demonstration of the behavior of building structures during seismic activities are presented. Modifications to the VSAP in order to simulate progressive collapse of building structures are discussed. Different versions of this system were used in architectural structures courses at Virginia Tech. Results of feedbacks from students in these classes are presented. From these results it is concluded that the VSAP can be used effectively as an experiential teaching∕learning tool in classroom settings. Possible applications of VSAP as a design and research tool in construction industry are discussed.