Showing papers by "Christopher Gorse published in 2017"

Building Information Modelling, Building Performance, Design and Smart Construction

Abstract: This book charts the path toward high performance sustainable buildings and the smart dwellings of the future. The volume clearly explains the principles and practices of high performance design, the uses of building information modelling (BIM), and the materials and methods of smart construction. Power Systems, Architecture, Material Science, Civil Engineering and Information Systems are all given consideration, as interdisciplinary endeavours are at the heart of this green building revolution.

QUB/e: A Novel Transient Experimental Method for in situ Measurements of the Thermal Performance of Building Fabrics

Abstract: This paper presents a novel transient experimental method developed in order to perform in situ measurements of the thermal performance of building fabrics: the QUB/e method. In one night, a QUB/e test yields the whole house heat loss coefficient (HLC) and the local in situ U-values. A comprehensive set of in situ measurements were carried out in a circa 1900 solid wall end-terrace house located in an environmental chamber to evaluate the thermal performance of the building fabric and to validate the QUB/e method. The accuracy of the QUB/e method was assessed against steady-state measurements before and after a deep retrofit, both the HLC and U-values were used in the comparison. The measurement of the HLC using the QUB/e method for heating durations down to one hour yielded accurate results (i.e. the relative differences from the value estimated with the steady-state method were smaller than 10%) provided the α-criterion lay within the recommended range (i.e. between approximately 0.4 and 0.7). The U-values measured in situ with the QUB/e method were in good agreement with the steady-state (ISO 9869-1) values (i.e. the relative differences were within the uncertainty bound of the measurement methods). The QUB/e method was thus deemed validated by comparison with reference U-values measured in accordance with ISO 9869-1.

Modelling insulated coving's potential to reducing thermal bridging and moisture risk in solid wall dwellings retrofitted with external wall insulation

Abstract: © 2017 Elsevier LtdMould growth and surface condensation are problems for many dwellings, and the retrofitting of insulation can increase the risk of these occurring. This is especially the case for historical solid wall properties receiving external wall insulation (EWI), which often have architectural details at the roof eaves that cause discontinuities in the insulation and so can result in excessive thermal bridging. This paper presents the results of an investigation into retrofitted solid wall properties where modelling is used to investigate the problem and effectiveness of insulated coving products which are designed to reducing thermal bridging. Thermal modelling is undertaken to establish the optimum design to reduce risk. The insulated coving was found to be effective in reducing thermal bridging in all the scenarios investigated and to reduce moisture risks occurring in some solid walls situations.

Assessing the quality of retrofits in solid wall dwellings

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed appraisal of the quality of domestic retrofits. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the results of technical surveys on 51 retrofits undertaken before, during and after the retrofits. Findings Failures are observed to be endemic and characterised into five themes: 72 per cent showed moisture issues pre-retrofit, 68 per cent had moisture risks post-retrofit, 62 per cent did not adopt a whole house approach, 16 per cent showed inadequate quality assurance protocols and 64 per cent showed evidence of insufficient design detailing. Each theme is further subcategorised with a view to identifying implications for future policy. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest the 10 per cent Ofgem retrofit failure rates predictions are an underestimate and so there may be a need for additional investigations to understand the trend across the UK. Practical implications Recommendations to reduce the failure rates may include making changes to the current inspection regime, widening understanding among installers; providing standard repeatable designs for repeated features; and empowering occupants to trigger inspections. Social implications The sample is representative of a substantial proportion of the homes in the UK suggesting that retrofit quality may in many instances be below the required standards. Originality/value Risks of moisture issues and underperformance in domestic retrofit are a concern for government industry and households. This research shows that many installation failures are the result of not implementing existing guidelines and a change to the enforcement of standards may be needed to enact a fundamental change in installer practice and process control.

Not what anyone wanted: Observations on regulations, standards, quality and experience in the wake of Grenfell

Abstract: While many factors will have contributed to the catastrophe at Grenfell Tower, it is clear that the structure itself behaved in a way that no one could possibly have intended. In this article the authors sample the bewildering and sometimes apparently contradictory directions provided by building regulations, and review how fire safety precautions, while seeming adequate on paper, can be undermined on contact with observed on-site practice.

Accounting for refrigeration heat exchange in energy performance simulations of large food retail buildings

Abstract: Heat exchange between chilled food storage and conditioned spaces in large food retail stores is not currently required as part of design stage regulatory compliance energy performance models. Existing work has identified that this exchange has a significant impact on store energy demand and subsequently leads to unrealistic assessment of building performance. Research presented in this article uses whole building dynamic thermal simulation models that are calibrated against real store performance data, quantifying the impact of the refrigeration driven heat exchange. Proxy refrigerated units are used to simulate the impact of these units for the sales floor areas. A methodology is presented that allows these models to be simplified with the aim of calculating a realistic process heat exchange for refrigeration and including this in thermal simulation models; a protocol for the measurement of chilled sales areas and their inclusion in the building models is also proposed. It is intended that this modelling approach and the calculated process heat exchange inputs can be used to improve the dynamic thermal simulation of large food retail stores, reduce gaps between predicted and actual performance and provide more representative inputs for design stage and regulatory compliance energy calculations.

Core cities Green Deal monitoring project – Leeds

Abstract: Leeds was designated a core city for trialling the Government’s Green Deal domestic energy efficiency policy. Leeds Beckett University undertook a monitoring and testing program on 65 dwellings to investigate the effectiveness of the insulation measures installed and to understand any underperformance. This report outlines the findings from a series of investigations including; surveys, air tightness tests, co heating tests, in situ U-value tests, hygrothermal and thermal bridging modelling, in use monitoring and occupant interviews. The surveys revealed that the ‘whole house approach’ to retrofit was, more often, missing, and quality assurance around insulation detailing was regularly absent, leading to avoidable errors and potentially embedding problems in the installations. Furthermore, moisture issues were, in the majority of instances, over-looked or made worse despite over half the sample having some form of damp. Despite this, energy savings were observed and the appearance of the dwellings were improved, thus apparent satisfaction was generally high, even though the installs were imperfect and moisture problems were introduced. Hygrothermal modelling of IWI cases suggests that thermal bridging at party walls can increase by more than 60% and that there could be potential for rot to embedded timbers. Insulation was recorded to reduce background ventilation of the dwellings by around 25% (a factor unaccounted for in government energy models), although some dwellings were still left with air tightness levels worse than modern day UK Building Regulations limits and replacing wet plaster with IWI was seen to undermine the performance of the insulation. The heat loss coefficient of three homes were tested and showed improvements of 25% and 56% for full retrofits with IWI, and 8% for a party wall retrofit; ¾ of these savings were achieved by fabric improvements and the final quarter from incidentally making dwellings more air tight. The before and after in use monitoring suggested the average savings in energy consumption from all retrofit types (EWI, IWI or other) were between 20% and 29%, although small sampling periods limits the certainty of the results. More reliably it was observed that comfort conditions improved; before the retrofit, 14 of the homes were experiencing discomfort from cold; the retrofit brought on average 2 /3 of uncomfortable homes into more reasonable comfort bands. Nearly all of the occupants had positive experiences, although no householders had to pay for the retrofit, reporting being warmer, bringing unused rooms back into operation and feeling more pride in their homes and communities. A variety of perceptions and behaviours were observed around set point temperatures, use of heating controls and motivations for using energy, all of which contribute to make a complex policy landscape. There is huge potential for domestic retrofit and although this research suggests the current

Developing an End-User Data Capture Methodology

Abstract: The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which end user requirements are communicated throughout the construction process. The method of inquiry is purely literature based. This research indicates that the perspectives of those involved in construction projects are widening. Whole life considerations are now requiring those with operational expertise and knowledge to be involved in decision making processes. In particular, design build and operate schemes, such as PFI developments, require facilities management involvement at an early stage to allow their operational knowledge to influence design and component decisions based on long term operational efficiencies. The increased use of BIM in such developments also compliments a collaborative approach by endorsing the involvement of those with specialist skills and sharing rich information in timely ways throughout the development project, from inception to operation. The process of arriving at ‘informed decisions’ is clearly complex due to the interactions of components relating to data, information and knowledge. This paper illustrates the need for effective communication of user requirements throughout the construction process. It demonstrates that provision for the capture of tangible data is reaching levels of maturity through the adoption of property asset management systems, platforms and tools. However, the paper raises awareness of the need for further research into how less tangible user requirements are obtained to ensure the ‘voice of the customer’ is heard, interpreted and communicated appropriately by construction specialists throughout the development phases.

Reporting corporate sustainability and the challenges of political rhetoric

Abstract: Where organisations set out their sustainable values and make publically available their sustainable strategy, the rhetoric establishes an agenda against which, should deviation occur, the company can be publically held to account. As a result of recent scandals, it is not surprising that some people remain cautious or even cynical with regard to corporate sustainability, especially where it is found that the actual practices of an organisation are different to that reported. The research provides a review of company reports to identify how multinational organisations advocate their sustainable position. Both construction and non-construction companies are considered with regard to the use of the term 'sustainable'. The review finds that the multinational organisations, both construction and non-construction have in recent years provided a position on sustainability. While heavy construction companies are setting a commitment toward sustainability, the positions stated against which the companies may be measured are often vague. There were, however, company reports where commitments to sustainability were detailed and the statements could be considered measureable. Nevertheless, most company reports use sustainability terms that remain generic and lend themselves to a more flexible approach to sustainability or, cynically, are providing the rhetoric for public relations.

Developing a taxonomy for discontinuities in internal wall insulation

Abstract: Adopting a fabric first approach and installing thermal insulation in existing buildings is one of the most effective methods of improving energy efficiency. The use of internal wall insulation (IWI) has been shown to offer an effective thermal solution, especially where other methods of insulation are unsuitable. However, fitting internal wall insulation is not without risk as discontinuities (gaps) are often found in the insulation layer for a variety of reasons. This can lead to increased flow of heat from the interior to the exterior causing reduced local surface temperatures, which can lead to condensation or mould growth. Currently there is little or no consistency in the terminology used to discuss such discontinuities in IWI and as such categorising specific types of discontinuities and their relative magnitude and rate of recurrence in practice is difficult. This paper seeks to address the lack of consistency by proposing a taxonomy that practitioners and researchers can use when describing discontinuities in IWI. This paper brings together the findings from building performance research, part of which involved field studies forensically observing IWI installations. Alongside the site visits, a literature review of IWI research was undertaken to identify the types of discontinuities observed and the terminology used to describe the occurrence and characteristics. From this a taxonomy has been developed to standardise and characterise discontinuities. It is hoped this will improve the understanding of and appreciation for the importance and scale of discontinuities in the industry, in so doing setting out a route for reducing their occurrence. It is also proposed that this taxonomy could be adapted for use in discussion of other insulation types.

Upgrading the UK Housing Stock: Insights into the Performance of Ready for Market Retrofit Solutions

Abstract: While the UK government withdrew from the zero carbon building agenda, the need to provide a high quality, controllable and comfortable internal environment remains. Regardless of the shifting government sands, the thermal performance and energy efficiency of new buildings has improved, creating a gap between new and the 28 million existing properties in the UK. In Britain, many of the existing buildings are draughty and poorly insulated, making the buildings difficult to control and condition; positioning the UK housing stock amongst the most expensive to heat in Europe. Uninsulated thermal elements, bypassing of the insulation layer, and excessive thermal bridging, are present in many of these properties. The resultant cold temperatures and risk of condensation and mould have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the occupants, contributing to excessive winter death rates. To achieve thermal upgrade at scale, affordable and reliable ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions are required. This research provides the results from a deep retrofit project, where off-the-shelf measures were introduced in stages, under controlled conditions, on a hard to treat property. At each stage, significant reductions were achieved in the energy required to heat the property. The whole retrofit provided a more air-tight, thermally efficient fabric that brings many of the environmental benefits associated with new builds