The operational rating system in building energy performance certificates (EPCs) has been used for systematically monitoring and diagnosing the energy performance in the operation and maintenance phases of existing buildings. However, there are several limitations of the conventional operational rating system, which can be subdivided into three aspects: (i) building category; (ii) region catego...

The recast of the energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) describes a comparative methodological framework to promote energy efficiency and establish minimum energy performance requirements in buildings at the lowest costs. The aim of the cost-optimal methodology is to foster the achievement of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs), the new target for all new buildings by 2020, characte...

With rapid population growth over the past 30 years and no significance seismic activity during this period, the unchecked development of the built environment in Bangladesh has been resulted in little resilience to earthquake. Identifying buildings due to this unchecked development that has high vulnerability is of critical importance both for reliable loss estimation as a result of an expecte...

The Azores archipelago is a zone with a vast cultural heritage, presenting a building stock mainly constructed in traditional stone masonry. It is known that this type of construction exhibits poor behaviour under seismic excitations; however it is extensively used in seismic prone areas, such as this case. The 9th of July of 1998 earthquake was the last seismic event in the islands, leaving ma...

This paper examines the use of Wireless Sensor Networks interfaced with light fittings to allow for daylight substitution techniques to reduce energy usage in existing buildings. This creates a wire free system for existing buildings with minimal disruption and cost.