This paper presents a pioneering effort to define the efficiency of the most common simulation-based design methods, namely the parametric simulation method (PSM) and the simulation-based optimization method (SOM), in improving two building performance indicators: thermal comfort and energy consumption. Three case-study houses were selected and their indoor conditions were continuously monitore...

This paper reports the development of a methodology for identifying and improving occupant behavior in existing residential buildings. In this study, end-use loads were divided into two levels (i.e. main and sub-category), and they were used to deduce corresponding two-level user activities (i.e. general and specific occupant behavior) indirectly. The proposed method is based on three basic dat...

Various factors play a part in the energy consumption of a building : its physical properties, the equipment installed for its functioning (the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, auxiliary production of electricity or hot water), the outdoor environment and the behaviour of its occupants. While software tool designers have made great progress in the simulation of the first three ...

Large commercial buildings are complex cyber-physical systems containing expensive and critical equipment that ensure the safety comfort of their numerous occupants. Yet occupant visitor access to spaces within these still managed through unsystematic, inefficient, human-intensive processes. As a standard practice, long-term building occupants given privileges rooms based on organizational role...

Due to the increasing development in various branches of the automotive industry, the need for a comfort climate in the cabin is more sensible. However, to achieve climate comfort, HVAC system consumes a considerable amount of engine power. Hence, improving HVAC system performance leads to more energy saving of the vehicle which is a critical factor for nowadays automotive. Besides, one crucial...

Building occupants perceive information about the surrounding environment and navigate for safety during emergency evacuation (egress). They often choose their actions by interacting with their social groups and observing the actions of the surrounding crowd. Most egress simulators, however, ignore individuals’ crowd perceptions and social interactions. This paper presents a novel platform, SAF...

This study is to increase the efficiency of air conditioning system under actual conditions use. In order improve in energy consumption due control without considering indoor cooling load fluctuations, we review it compared conventional methods two respects. First, examined method reduce by varying evaporative pressure according load, and secondly, further reducing controlling revolutions per m...

Indoor cold discomfort in Qatar due to “building overcooling” is increasing, as air-conditioning prevails, and global temperatures rise. Overcooling not dependent only on the inappropriate design of cooling systems, but “international” thermal comfort standards that are customized for warm climates. International unintentionally biased towards cooler climates cultures, application which result ...

This paper lays the grounds for a new methodology for detecting thermal discomfort, which can potentially reduce the building energy usage while improving the comfort of its inhabitants. The paper describes our explorations in automatic human discomfort prediction using physiological signals directly collected from a buildings inhabitants. Using infrared thermography, as well as several other b...

Phase change materials proved their capability of enhancing buildings’ thermal inertia and improving occupants’ comfort. More attention was triggered by the scientific community as use energy storage systems kept evolving in building sector. Previous experimental investigations examined effectiveness enhanced macro-encapsulated coconut oil bio-based PCM integrated with underfloor water radiant ...