Building performance analysis of a dairy factory in South Iraq: appraisal of a local bio-based envelope

S. Simonini¹, G. Rossi¹*, V. Becciolini¹, S. Camiciottoli¹, L. Conti¹, P.F.P. Ferraz², G.A.S. Ferraz² and M. Barbari¹

¹University of Firenze, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, 13 Via San Bonaventura, IT 50145 Firenze, Italy
²2Federal University of Lavras, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Campus Universitário, PO Box 3037 - CEP 37200-000 Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
*Correspondence: giuseppe.rossi@unifi.it

Abstract:

Buildings have a relevant impact on the environment, and building materials cause environmental impacts during all life cycle stages: production, utilization, management and demolition. The global request for more efficient buildings with less environmental impacts has grown during the last years. Among various technologies, thermal insulation has proven to be helpful in reducing emissions by increasing energy conservation. This paper intends to show how the Building Performance Analysis (BPA) supports the decision-making process in many areas where common insulation materials are not available and there is a general reluctance to use local natural materials. A building located in the city of Al Chubaish in Dhi Qar Province in Iraq is examined as a case study. The construction is designed for processing buffalo milk. It was built in the first decade of the century, during the Iraqi conflict, using only the materials available at that time, most of which, concrete bricks, mortar and plaster. Currently, this dairy factory is a very inefficient structure in terms of energy saving. But because its elementary form, it is a perfect example to investigate how a simple exterior wall insulation can improve building performance in extreme environmental conditions. Accordingly, two different models have been created. One is the replica of the real building without any upgrading. The second instead presents a thermal insulation realized with reed bio-based material locally available. Through advanced simulation engines and building performance analysis data integrated into Autodesk Revit, each model has been tested to identify significant improvements in terms of energy savings in this particular stressed background.

Key words:

bio-based, Building performance analysis (BPA), Iraqi Marshlands, reeds, thermal insulation

Thermal properties and reduction of energy consumption of buildings

Týbl, J.* and P. Kic

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Kamycka 129, 16521, Prague 6, Czech Republic; *Correspondence: tybljiri@seznam.cz

Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to summarize and present all relations, which are essential in determination of winter heat balance of the buildings, and that enable a reduction of energy consumption or heating costs. These questions should be realized and taken into account already in the proposal of building design. This paper shows the methods of calculation of winter heat balance and results of measurements which verify theoretical conclusions in real conditions. These factors are applied on two existing buildings. There are due to their different shapes and constructions proposed different solutions of improvement. Two different buildings were selected for this research work: a large ground floor building and a high hall. In the case of the first building (the large ground floor building) it appears to be a major problem not sufficient thermal properties of the envelope constructions. The enormous heat losses caused high heating costs. The existing heating method of the second building (the high hall), is not suitable. The temperature distribution in the interior is undesirable, which results in very high energy consumption. The use of radiant ceiling panels could enable to achieve favourable conditions in the working area and considerable energy savings.

Key words: