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Educational institutes located in historical buildings must frequently repurpose available spatial resources toward accommodation of new and emerging functional needs. This may lead, among other things, to problems regarding the acoustic performance of the repurposed rooms. Specifically, a central function of spaces in academic settings is information exchange, which requires suitable acoustic conditions. In this context, the present paper entails the acoustic study and evaluation of selected rooms in a university building, which have been repurposed to serve as multi-functional learning and working environments. To this end, both computational means and diagnostic methods were employed. The results of the study suggest that the room acoustics conditions in the repurposed rooms deviate in part from those recommended in pertinent standards.

A number of recent research efforts focus on the inclusion of more detailed models of occupants in building performance computing. Thereby, agent-based modelling (ABM) has the theoretical potential to capture the dynamic and complex patterns of occupants’ presence and behaviour in buildings. This paper starts with a brief reference to recent reviews of the state of the art concerning the deployment of ABM in building energy simulation. Subsequently, an illustrative case study is used to explore the potential and current challenges of ABM in building performance simulation. The case study involves the coupling of ABM with a building simulation model to evaluate the influence of occupants’ energy consciousness and thermal comfort preferences on buildings’ energy performance.

Despite the fact that vast portions of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) are covered by wetlands, currently there is no provincial inventory of wetlands in the province. In this study, we analyzed multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data for wetland classification at 4 pilot sites across NL. Object-based image analysis (OBIA) using a segmentation method based on optical data (RapidEye image in this study), and well-adjusted to SAR images, was first compared to pixel-based classification. Next, multi-date object-based wetland maps using the Random Forest classifier were compared to single-date classification. Finally, ratio and textural features were evaluated for wetland classification. The OBIA method demonstrated superior results, and the multi-date classification performed better than single-date classification with accuracies ranging from 75% to 95%. The multi-date results showed that the images acquired in August are the most appropriate for classifying wetlands, while the October images are of less value. Also, covariance matrix is a valuable feature set for wetland mapping. Moreover, ratio and textural features slightly increase the overall accuracy when the initial overall accuracy is relatively low. It can be concluded that multi-date SAR classification, with the proposed segmentation method, shows great potential for mapping wetlands and can be applied throughout the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is the only province in Atlantic Canada that does not have a wetland inventory system. As a consequence, both classifying and monitoring wetland areas are necessary for wetland conservation and human services in the province. In this study, wetlands in 5 pilot sites, distributed across NL, were classified using multi-source and multi-temporal optical remote sensing images. The procedures involved the application of an object-based method to segment and classify the images. To classify the areas, 5 different machine learning algorithms were examined. The results showed that the Random Forest (RF) algorithm in combination with an object-based approach was the most accurate method to classify wetlands. The average producer and user accuracies of wetland classes considering all pilot sites were 68% and 73%, respectively. The overall classification accuracies, which considered the accuracy of all wetland and non-wetland classes varied from 86% to 96% across all pilot sites confirming the robustness of the methodology despite the biological, ecological, and geographical differences among the study areas. Additionally, we assessed the effects of the tuning parameters on the accuracy of results, as well as the difference between pixel-based and object-based methods for wetland classification in this study.

Numbers of factors such as noise exposure may constrain the use of natural ventilation, especially in the urban settings. Noise exposure was the motivation behind a previous research effort, recognizing that noise exposure hampers the operation of windows for natural ventilation. Thereby, specific designs of double-leaf façade solutions for concurrent natural ventilation and noise protection were empirically investigated. Tested variables included the position and size of the openings, the relative displacement of openings in the façade’s two layers, as well as acoustical dampening (sound absorption) in the interstitial space between the two layers. The study of the models estimated the resulting sound insulation level of double-layered façades as a function of the aforementioned variables. In the present contribution, we further examine the airflow implications of the aforementioned double-façade configurations via computational fluid dynamic application based on a generic single-zone space. Natural ventilation efficiency in the building is evaluated by means of computed mean velocity and age of air inside the zone. High-resolution 3D steady CFD simulations of single-sided ventilation are performed for 9 configurations (sizes and positions) of the openings in the double-layered façade. The results illustrate the effects of these configuration on air flow circumstances in the test space.

This contribution discusses recent progress in development of windows equipped with vacuum glass. Vacuum glazing is commonly understood as glass products consisting of two parallel glass panes with a very narrow gap. Moreover, they feature a tight edge seal and house a grid of distance pillars. During production the gap is evacuated. As a result, vacuum glazing products widely eliminate convective heat transfer and minimize conductive heat transfer. As such, they represent highly-insulating glass products that regularly feature U-values in the range of triple-glazing, or even below (about 0.2 to 0.3 W.m-2.K-1). While the research pertaining to the development of vacuum glass can be traced back to the first patent of 1913 [1], relatively few research efforts have been conducted regarding the application of vacuum glazing in window constructions. In this context, the present contribution focuses on the application of vacuum glass products in window constructions. Toward this end, two application cases are addressed in detail. One effort addresses the application of vacuum glass in new window constructions. The major objective of this effort is the reduction of heat flow through the window construction. Thereby, innovative paradigms involving multiple operation, size, and construction options are considered. The second case deal with the potential of vacuum glazing products in view of deployment in thermal retrofit of existing buildings. This application case does not only focus on the thermal performance of the windows, but also on the necessity to protect the appearance of heritage building facades (including those of the historical window constructions). As such, vacuum glazing products provide an alternative to replacing existing windows with high-insulating triple-glazed products.

Asphaltene instability may occur when pressure, temperature and compositional variations affect the reservoir oil. Permeability reduction, wettability alteration, and plugging of wells and flow lines are the consequences of this phenomenon. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the asphaltene behavior in different thermodynamic conditions by knowing the Asphaltene Precipitation Envelope (APE) in a preventive way rather than the costly clean-up procedures. The selected reservoir oil has faced a remarkable decline in production due to several years of extraction, and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) has been considered as a solution. Therefore, in this paper, a comprehensive study was carried out to predict the effects of different injected gases on asphaltene onset and to prevent future asphaltene precipitation based on the laboratory data. The Advanced Redlich-Kwong-Soave (RKSA) equation of state was considered to develop APE using Multiflash (Infochem Co.). For the selected reservoir oil, with temperature reduction at low temperatures, asphaltene precipitation weakened and made the onset pressure decrease, so this behavior is different from the results obtained in other published reports. On the basis of this model, several sensitivity analyses were performed with different gases (i.e., methane, CO2, N2 and associated gases) to compare the risk of each gas for future EOR strategies. APE tend to expand as the amount of injected gases increases, except for CO2 gas injection, that showed another unconventional behavior for this crude oil. It was observed that for CO2 gas injection below a certain temperature, asphaltene stability increased, which can be considered as a good inhibitor of asphaltene precipitation.

Depending on general climatic trends and specific (urban) microclimatic conditions, the reliable estimation of the overheating risk in buildings has become increasingly important. As such, detailed simulation of the related phenomena can provide useful information. However, deployment of detailed simulation involves a number of challenges, including time and effort expenditures not accounted for in typical building delivery processes. In this context, careful application of prescriptive methods may provide – at least for a specific class of applications – a reasonable alternative. The present contribution explores this possibility via a specific case study involving a large sample of residential buildings in Gaza, Palestine. This sample includes some fifty multi-unit apartment buildings representing the bulk of residential building stock in Gaza. These buildings were assessed via both numeric simulation and regression-based methods, assuming the latter can provide the basis for development and validation of a prescriptive approach. Toward this end, a number of independent variables were considered and the level of their association with the computed values of the designated building performance indicators was observed. Comparison of the regression-based and simulation-based methods revealed a reasonable level of agreement. This suggests that the proposed prescriptive method may provide an attractive alternative to highly detailed simulation.

In this paper, a simplified zonal model for the evaluation of the spatial distribution of the air temperature in a thermal zone is presented. This model, in which the air flow is caused only by buoyancy forces, is implemented in ALMABuild. The model is used for the analysis of the effect of the temperature sensor positioning on the control system behaviour and on the indoor comfort conditions. This analysis is performed considering a multi-zone building composed by three offices, focusing the evaluation to the central one. The office is heated by means of a radiator in which the hot water flow rate is varied by a valve controlled via a room temperature sensor. By means of numerical simulations, indoor comfort conditions, energy consumptions and control system response are evaluated for three different sensor positions (far from the radiator, in the middle of the office, close to the radiator), two radiator sizes (one obtained by imposing a high supply water temperature, 80 °C, the other a low supply temperature, 60 °C) and two control strategies (weather compensation and fast restart). The results presented in this study and demonstrate how complete dynamic energy simulation tools can provide to the designer important information, like the room temperature sensor position that should be close to the emitter and far from cold external walls, for the optimal design of HVAC systems.

Buildings are typically equipped with a number of elements and devices (e.g., windows, blinds, luminaires, radiators) to control indoor environmental conditions. The availability, effectiveness, and usability of control devices and their interfaces constitute an essential aspect of built environments’ quality. This aspect has been sometimes referred to as indoor-environmental “affordance” (or “ecological valency”) and can be interpreted as a descriptor of buildings’ responsiveness toward inhabitants’ needs and requirements. However, in contrast to some other building quality aspects such as energy efficiency, there is a lack of systematic evaluation or certifications procedures for objective characterization of indoor environments’ affordance as related to the availability and effectiveness of control devices and their human interfaces. This paper entails an exploration of the potential for and associated challenges of designing and implementing affordance measurement and certification procedures. Challenges include, above all, assigning relative weights and coefficient values to different domains (e.g., thermal, visual, acoustical), devices, and levels of their effectiveness. Irrespective of their success to date, attempts toward operationalization of indoor-environmental affordance can be quite beneficial: The affordance framework can offer a systematic, intuitive, and compact framework to guide the workflow toward the provision and maintenance of adequate indoor environments for human occupancy.

This contribution reports on recent advances in the utilization of vacuum glass in contemporary window construction. Generally speaking, vacuum glazing consists of two glass panes with an evacuated interstitial space. To maintain the functionality of the glazing, a vacuum-tight edge seal and a grid of distance-holding pillars are required. Vacuum glazing features a first-rate thermal performance as it significantly reduces conductive and convective heat transport rates. In comparison to multi-pane insulation glasses of comparable thermal performance, vacuum glass products feature a reduced weight and construction depth. However, the application of vacuum glass in windows requires a critical rethinking of the current practice of window construction, especially with regard to thermal bridges and the related surface condensation risk at the glass/frame-construction joints. Specifically, the glass edge seal, which can be considered to be the weak spot of vacuum glass in terms of heat transfer, requires an insulating cover that is not provided in typical insulation glass frame configurations. Further relevant aspects to be considered include the structural stability of window constructions with vacuum glass, the acoustical performance, and issues regarding usability. In this context, the present contribution highlights the methodology and findings of two recent research projects (MOTIVE, FIVA) that addressed window construction requirements with regard to vacuum glazing deployment.

A theoretical framework is developed for the evaluation of favorable residual stress profiles, suppressing fatigue damage initiation in rolling contact fatigue. Non-metallic inclusions at the microstructure of bearings are one of the most important reasons for fatigue damage initiation since they act as stress risers. In order to evaluate the stress state around such inclusions at the micro-scale, macroscopic stress histories are determined by Hertzian contact theory at different depths below the raceway for a typical roller bearing. These stress distributions are then used as far-field stresses for a micro-scale model accounting for single inclusions of different geometries and orientations. Eshelby’s method is used to relate far-field and local stresses in the vicinity of inclusions. The von Mises stress criterion is then used as a conservative estimator of crack initiation due to micro-scale plasticity. The effect of compressive residual stresses added to the axial and circumferential normal stress components at different depths is analyzed. The von Mises stress field around different inclusions at different depths is investigated in order to determine the most critical case in terms of micro-scale plastic deformation. Finally, an optimization process is carried out in order to determine the residual stresses that minimize the maximum observed von Mises stress as a function of depth.

The comfort conditions are fundamental for the well-being of the occupants of a building. The design of both building envelope and HVAC and lighting systems has primarily to keep high quality levels of indoor comfort conditions. This is particularly true for healthcare facilities, where a comfortable environment can mean both a faster healing of the patients and a higher productivity rate of the employees. In this research, a comfort survey is carried out in two physiotherapy facilities in Bolzano, Italy. Long- and short-term measurements of air temperature and relative humidity and short-term measurements of mean radiant temperature, air velocity, illuminance, CO2 and CO concentrations are taken in the environments where the therapies are performed, from summer to autumn of the year 2018. The long-term conditions are monitored using HOBO sensors, with a 10-minute recording timestep, and installed approximately at the height of 1 m, to evaluate the conditions at the same level at which the therapies are performed. A Delta-Ohm HD32.1 microclimatic station with several probes is employed in similar positions for short term monitoring periods. During the whole survey, according to their availability, employees and patients are asked to assess thermal, light, acoustic comfort and air quality by means of questionnaires, developed starting from standards and previous works in literature. In details, anonymous questions are asked to collect data about personal conditions (sex, age, weight, height, clothing level, self-evaluation of the health status), comfort evaluations (seven points scale questions), type of detected discomfort issues (multiple-choice questions), date, time and room where the treatment is performed. Thanks to the data measured at the same times of the questionnaires’ answers, Fanger’s comfort indexes are calculated according to the technical standard EN ISO 7730 and compared with the real votes collected using the questionnaires. The results, together with a previous analysis made in Vienna in 2015, give good suggestions about the diagnosis of the indoor environmental quality and the control of the HVAC systems in this kind of facilities.

Phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release thermal energy. The energy is stored when the material goes through a solid-to-liquid phase change, and released in the reverse process. Such materials can contribute to the mitigation of overheating in buildings, if their melting and solidification temperatures are in a suitable range. The present contribution entails a computational examination of this potential as relevant to overheating mitigation in typical residential units in the Central European context of Vienna, Austria. Thereby, multiple variations of PCM application (size, thickness, location, and application thickness) under different contextual settings (fenestration and insulation, boundary conditions in terms of weather) were simulated and comparatively evaluated. Results indicate that certain PCM application configurations can significantly influence indoor thermal condition. For instance, PCM elements with larger surface areas displayed a more pronounced effect as compared to bulkier elements with smaller surface areas. Likewise, ceiling-integrated PCM application was found to be more effective that those involving other room surfaces. The results also highlight the importance of rooms ventilation regime if the PCM application potential toward overheating mitigation is to be effectively harvested.

Building design, construction, and operation has been suggested to benefit from comprehensive and well-formed repository of associated information. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has pursued the supposition that repositories could facilitate seamless exchange of information amongst the multiple stakeholders in the building delivery process. Related research and development efforts have primarily focused on representation of buildings’ geometry and specifications of their constituent structural and constructional components. More recently, representations of building environmental control equipment and systems have begun to become incorporated in BIM applications. Ongoing work in this area has likewise targeted development of common schemes to incorporate, in BIM, buildings’ sensory networks and elements that serve, for instance, the operation of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) systems. To achieve these targets, comprehensive and robust ontologies of building monitoring data and building performance indicators are essential. In the present contribution, we first present a recently introduced original proposal for such ontologies, covering data regarding dynamic data relevant to state, operation, and performance of buildings. This ontology was developed based on an extensive review of building monitoring data and performance indicator catalogues in thermal, air quality, visual, and acoustical domains. The ontology’s structural core basically involves a systematic specification of the generic attributes of building performance variables. We then illustrate various benefits and applications of this ontology. It is shown to support data quality check, data visualization, building operation optimization, and preventive building systems maintenance. It can also add to the clarity of building performance requirements specifications, advance the understanding of building performance principles in educational and training settings, and provide and early integration of buildings’ operational attributes in BIM applications.

Copyright of Mélanges francophones is the property of Galati University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

On the basis of the translation strategies mentioned below, this article offers a critical analysis of the first English translation of Edward Fitzgerald's Rubáiyát. In general, we may wonder if Fitzgerald was successful in conveying the unique rhythm and musicality of the Persian text in his translation. Did he also succeed in maintaining the semantic and rhythmic interaction of the original text? According to the theories of certain scholars of translation studies such as Henri Meschonnic, Antoine Berman, Derek Attridge, and Gerard Dessons, this article seeks to examine the questions raised by the translation of the Persian rhythm, the correlation between the meaning and the rhythm of the original text, and what exists in the first edition of Fitzgerald's quatrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mélanges francophones is the property of Galati University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article discusses the philosophies of Mawlānā Jalāl-ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, or Rumi, Persian poet and theologian, as they relate to death and the afterlife. It is noted that Rumi's teaching center around love and toleration. Rumi incorporated several different philosophies into his beliefs, including Islam and Christian. He believed death to be an escape from this life and his steps for how one should approach death are elaborated.