@article{VoelkerKornadtOstry, author = {V{\"o}lker, Conrad and Kornadt, Oliver and Ostry, Milan}, title = {Temperature reduction due to the application of phase change materials}, series = {Energy and Buildings}, journal = {Energy and Buildings}, number = {40, 5}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3816}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20181025-38166}, pages = {937 -- 944}, abstract = {Overheating is a major problem in many modern buildings due to the utilization of lightweight constructions with low heat storing capacity. A possible answer to this problem is the emplacement of phase change materials (PCM), thereby increasing the thermal mass of a building. These materials change their state of aggregation within a defined temperature range. Useful PCM for buildings show a phase transition from solid to liquid and vice versa. The thermal mass of the materials is increased by the latent heat. A modified gypsum plaster and a salt mixture were chosen as two materials for the study of their impact on room temperature reduction. For realistic investigations, test rooms were erected where measurements were carried out under different conditions such as temporary air change, alternate internal heat gains or clouding. The experimental data was finally reproduced by dint of a mathematical model.}, subject = {Raumklima}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Dokhanchi, author = {Dokhanchi, Najmeh Sadat}, title = {Measurement of the Indoor Air Temperature Distribution using Acoustic Travel-Time Tomography}, isbn = {978-3-00-075344-2 (print)}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.4956}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20230414-49567}, school = {Bauhaus-Universit{\"a}t Weimar}, pages = {155}, abstract = {One of the main criteria determining the thermal comfort of occupants is the air temperature. To monitor this parameter, a thermostat is traditionally mounted in the indoor environment for instance in office rooms in the workplaces, or directly on the radiator or in another location in a room. One of the drawbacks of this conventional method is the measurement at a certain location instead of the temperature distribution in the entire room including the occupant zone. As a result, the climatic conditions measured at the thermostat point may differ from those at the user's location. This not only negatively impacts the thermal comfort assessment but also leads to a waste of energy due to unnecessary heating and cooling. Moreover, for measuring the distribution of the air temperature under laboratory conditions, multiple thermal sensors should be installed in the area under investigation. This requires high effort in both installation and expense. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional sensors, Acoustic travel-time TOMography (ATOM) offers an alternative based on measuring the transmission sound velocity signals. The basis of the ATOM technique is the first-order dependency of the sound velocity on the medium's temperature. The average sound velocity, along the propagation paths, can be determined by travel-times estimation of a defined acoustic signal between transducers. After the travel-times collection, the room is divided into several volumetric grid cells, i.e. voxels, whose sizes are defined depending on the dimension of the room and the number of sound paths. Accordingly, the spatial air temperature in each voxel can be determined using a suitable tomographic algorithm. Recent studies indicate that despite the great potential of this technique to detect room climate, few experiments have been conducted. This thesis aims to develop the ATOM technique for indoor climatic applications while coupling the analysis methods of tomography and room acoustics. The method developed in this thesis uses high-energy early reflections in addition to the direct paths between transducers for travel time estimation. In this way, reflections can provide multiple sound paths that allow the room coverage to be maintained even when a few or even only one transmitter and receiver are used. In the development of the ATOM measurement system, several approaches have been employed, including the development of numerical methods and simulations and conducting experimental measurements, each of which has contributed to the improvement of the system's accuracy. In order to effectively separate the early reflections and ensure adequate coverage of the room with sound paths, a numerical method was developed based on the optimization of the coordinates of the sound transducers in the test room. The validation of the optimal positioning method shows that the reconstructed temperatures were significantly improved by placing the transducers at the optimal coordinates derived from the developed numerical method. The other numerical method developed is related to the selection of the travel times of the early reflections. Accordingly, the detection of the travel times has been improved by adjusting the lengths of the multiple analysis time-windows according to the individual travel times in the reflectogram of the room impulse response. This can reduce the probability of trapping faulty travel times in the analysis time-windows. The simulation model used in this thesis is based on the image source model (ISM) method for simulating the theoretical travel times of early reflection sound paths. The simulation model was developed to simulate the theoretical travel times up to third-order reflections. The empirical measurements were carried out in the climate lab of the Chair of Building Physics under different boundary conditions, i.e., combinations of different room air temperatures under both steady-state and transient conditions, and different measurement setups. With the measurements under controllable conditions in the climate lab, the validity of the developed numerical methods was confirmed. In this thesis, the performance of the ATOM measurement system was evaluated using two measurement setups. The setup for the initial investigations consists of an omnidirectional receiver and a near omnidirectional sound source, keeping the number of transducers as few as possible. This has led to accurately identify the sources of error that could occur in each part of the measuring system. The second measurement setup consists of two directional sound sources and one omnidirectional receiver. This arrangement of transducers allowed a higher number of well-detected travel times for tomography reconstruction, a better travel time estimation due to the directivity of the sound source, and better space utilization. Furthermore, this new measurement setup was tested to determine an optimal selection of the excitation signal. The results showed that for the utilized setup, a linear chirp signal with a frequency range of 200 - 4000 Hz and a signal duration of t = 1 s represents an optimal selection with respect to the reliability of the measured travel times and higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To evaluate the performance of the measuring setups, the ATOM temperatures were always compared with the temperatures of high-resolution NTC thermistors with an accuracy of ±0.2 K. The entire measurement program, including acoustic measurements, simulation, signal processing, and visualization of measurement results are performed in MATLAB software. In addition, to reduce the uncertainty of the positioning of the transducers, the acoustic centre of the loudspeaker was determined experimentally for three types of excitation signals, namely MLS (maximum length sequence) signals with different lengths and duration, linear and logarithmic chirp signals with different defined frequency ranges. For this purpose, the climate lab was converted into a fully anechoic chamber by attaching absorption panels to the entire surfaces of the room. The measurement results indicated that the measurement of the acoustic centre of the sound source significantly reduces the displacement error of the transducer position. Moreover, to measure the air temperature in an occupied room, an algorithm was developed that can convert distorted signals into pure reference signals using an adaptive filter. The measurement results confirm the validity of the approach for a temperature interval of 4 K inside the climate lab. Accordingly, the accuracy of the reconstructed temperatures indicated that ATOM is very suitable for measuring the air temperature distribution in rooms.}, subject = {Bauphysik}, language = {en} } @article{VoelkerAlsaad, author = {V{\"o}lker, Conrad and Alsaad, Hayder}, title = {Simulating the human body's microclimate using automatic coupling of CFD and an advanced thermoregulation model}, series = {Indoor Air}, volume = {2018}, journal = {Indoor Air}, number = {28, Heft 3}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3851}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20190218-38517}, pages = {415 -- 425}, abstract = {This study aims to develop an approach to couple a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver to the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) thermal comfort model to accurately evaluate thermal comfort. The coupling was made using an iterative JavaScript to automatically transfer data for each individual segment of the human body back and forth between the CFD solver and the UCB model until reaching convergence defined by a stopping criterion. The location from which data are transferred to the UCB model was determined using a new approach based on the temperature difference between subsequent points on the temperature profile curve in the vicinity of the body surface. This approach was used because the microclimate surrounding the human body differs in thickness depending on the body segment and the surrounding environment. To accurately simulate the thermal environment, the numerical model was validated beforehand using experimental data collected in a climate chamber equipped with a thermal manikin. Furthermore, an example of the practical implementations of this coupling is reported in this paper through radiant floor cooling simulation cases, in which overall and local thermal sensation and comfort were investigated using the coupled UCB model.}, subject = {Numerische Str{\"o}mungssimulation}, language = {en} } @article{SalandinArnoldKornadt, author = {Salandin, Andrea and Arnold, J{\"o}rg and Kornadt, Oliver}, title = {Noise in an intensive care unit}, series = {The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America}, volume = {2011}, journal = {The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America}, number = {130 (6)}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3264}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20170713-32649}, pages = {3754 -- 3760}, abstract = {Patients and staff in hospitals are exposed to a complex sound environment with rather high noise levels. In intensive care units, the main noise sources are hospital staff on duty and medical equipment, which generates both operating noise and acoustic alarms. Although noise in most cases is produced during activities for the purpose of saving life, noise can induce significant changes in the depth and quality of sleep and negatively affect health in general. Results of a survey of hospital staff are presented as well as measurements in two German hospital wards: a standard two-bed room and a special Intermediate Care Unit (IMC-Unit), each in a different Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Sound pressure data were collected over a 48 hour period and converted into different levels (LAFeq, LAFmax, LAFmin, LAF 5\%), as well as a rating level LAr, which is used to take tonality and impulsiveness into account. An analysis of the survey and the measured data, together with a comparison of thresholds of national and international regulations and standards describe the acoustic situation and its likely noise effects on staff and patients.}, subject = {L{\"a}rm}, language = {en} } @article{VoelkerBeckmannKoehlmannetal., author = {V{\"o}lker, Conrad and Beckmann, Julia and Koehlmann, Sandra and Kornadt, Oliver}, title = {Occupant requirements in residential buildings - an empirical study and a theoretical model}, series = {Advances in Building Energy Research}, journal = {Advances in Building Energy Research}, number = {7 (1)}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3813}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20181015-38137}, pages = {35 -- 50}, abstract = {Occupant needs with regard to residential buildings are not well known due to a lack of representative scientific studies. To improve the lack of data, a large scale study was carried out using a Post Occupancy Evaluation of 1,416 building occupants. Several criteria describing the needs of occupants were evaluated with regard to their subjective level of relevance. Additionally, we investigated the degree to which deficiencies subjectively exist, and the degree to which occupants were able to accept them. From the data obtained, a hierarchy of criteria was created. It was found that building occupants ranked the physiological needs of air quality and thermal comfort the highest. Health hazards such as mould and contaminated building materials were unacceptable for occupants, while other deficiencies were more likely to be tolerated. Occupant satisfaction was also investigated. We found that most occupants can be classified as satisfied, although some differences do exist between different populations. To explain the relationship between the constructs of what we call relevance, acceptance, deficiency and satisfaction, we then created an explanatory model. Using correlation and regression analysis, the validity of the model was then confirmed by applying the collected data. The results of the study are both relevant in shaping further research and in providing guidance on how to maximize tenant satisfaction in real estate management.}, subject = {Post Occupancy Evaluation}, language = {en} } @article{BecherVoelkerRodehorstetal., author = {Becher, Lia and V{\"o}lker, Conrad and Rodehorst, Volker and Kuhne, Michael}, title = {Background-oriented schlieren technique for two-dimensional visualization of convective indoor air flows}, series = {Optics and Lasers in Engineering}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Optics and Lasers in Engineering}, number = {Volume 134, article 106282}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlaseng.2020.106282}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20220810-46972}, pages = {9}, abstract = {This article focuses on further developments of the background-oriented schlieren (BOS) technique to visualize convective indoor air flow, which is usually defined by very small density gradients. Since the light rays deflect when passing through fluids with different densities, BOS can detect the resulting refractive index gradients as integration along a line of sight. In this paper, the BOS technique is used to yield a two-dimensional visualization of small density gradients. The novelty of the described method is the implementation of a highly sensitive BOS setup to visualize the ascending thermal plume from a heated thermal manikin with temperature differences of minimum 1 K. To guarantee steady boundary conditions, the thermal manikin was seated in a climate laboratory. For the experimental investigations, a high-resolution DLSR camera was used capturing a large field of view with sufficient detail accuracy. Several parameters such as various backgrounds, focal lengths, room air temperatures, and distances between the object of investigation, camera, and structured background were tested to find the most suitable parameters to visualize convective indoor air flow. Besides these measurements, this paper presents the analyzing method using cross-correlation algorithms and finally the results of visualizing the convective indoor air flow with BOS. The highly sensitive BOS setup presented in this article complements the commonly used invasive methods that highly influence weak air flows.}, subject = {Raumklima}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DokhanchiArnoldVogeletal., author = {Dokhanchi, Najmeh Sadat and Arnold, J{\"o}rg and Vogel, Albert and V{\"o}lker, Conrad}, title = {Acoustic Travel-Time Tomography: Optimal Positioning of Transceiver and Maximal Sound-Ray Coverage of the Room}, series = {Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA 2019}, booktitle = {Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA 2019}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3877}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20190408-38778}, pages = {4}, abstract = {Acoustic travel-time tomography (ATOM) determines the distribution of the temperature in a propagation medium by measuring the travel-time of acoustic signals between transmitters and receivers. To employ ATOM for indoor climate measurements, the impulse responses have been measured in the climate chamber lab of the Bauhaus-University Weimar and compared with the theoretical results of its image source model (ISM). A challenging task is distinguishing the reflections of interest in the reflectogram when the sound rays have similar travel-times. This paper presents a numerical method to address this problem by finding optimal positions of transmitter and receiver, since they have a direct impact on the distribution of travel times. These optimal positions have the minimum number of simultaneous arrival time within a threshold level. Moreover, for the tomographic reconstruction, when some of the voxels remain empty of sound-rays, it leads to inaccurate determination of the air temperature within those voxels. Based on the presented numerical method, the number of empty tomographic voxels are minimized to ensure the best sound-ray coverage of the room. Subsequently, a spatial temperature distribution is estimated by simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT). The experimental set-up in the climate chamber verifies the simulation results.}, subject = {Bauphysik}, language = {en} } @article{VoelkerMaempelKornadt, author = {V{\"o}lker, Conrad and M{\"a}mpel, Silvio and Kornadt, Oliver}, title = {Measuring the human body's micro-climate using a thermal manikin}, series = {Indoor Air}, journal = {Indoor Air}, number = {24, 6}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3815}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20181025-38153}, pages = {567 -- 579}, abstract = {The human body is surrounded by a micro-climate which results from its convective release of heat. In this study, the air temperature and flow velocity of this micro-climate were measured in a climate chamber at various room temperatures, using a thermal manikin simulating the heat release of the human being. Different techniques (Particle Streak Tracking, thermography, anemometry, and thermistors) were used for measurement and visualization. The manikin surface temperature was adjusted to the particular indoor climate based on simulations with a thermoregulation model (UCBerkeley Thermal Comfort Model). We found that generally, the micro-climate is thinner at the lower part of the torso, but expands going up. At the head, there is a relatively thick thermal layer, which results in an ascending plume above the head. However, the micro-climate shape strongly depends not only on the body segment, but also on boundary conditions: the higher the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the manikin and the air temperature, the faster the air flow in the micro-climate. Finally, convective heat transfer coefficients strongly increase with falling room temperature, while radiative heat transfer coefficients decrease. The type of body segment strongly influences the convective heat transfer coefficient, while only minimally influencing the radiative heat transfer coefficient.}, subject = {Raumklima}, language = {en} } @article{AlsaadVoelker, author = {Alsaad, Hayder and V{\"o}lker, Conrad}, title = {Performance assessment of a ductless personalized ventilation system using a validated CFD model}, series = {Journal of Building Performance Simulation}, volume = {2018}, journal = {Journal of Building Performance Simulation}, number = {11, Heft 6}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.3850}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20190218-38500}, pages = {689 -- 704}, abstract = {The aim of this study is twofold: to validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, and then to use the validated model to evaluate the performance of a ductless personalized ventilation (DPV) system. To validate the numerical model, a series of measurements was conducted in a climate chamber equipped with a thermal manikin. Various turbulence models, settings, and options were tested; simulation results were compared to the measured data to determine the turbulence model and solver settings that achieve the best agreement between the measured and simulated values. Subsequently, the validated CFD model was then used to evaluate the thermal environment and indoor air quality in a room equipped with a DPV system combined with displacement ventilation. Results from the numerical model were then used to quantify thermal sensation and comfort using the UC Berkeley thermal comfort model.}, subject = {Ventilation}, language = {en} } @article{VogelArnoldVoelkeretal., author = {Vogel, Albert and Arnold, J{\"o}rg and Voelker, Conrad and Kornadt, Oliver}, title = {Data for sound pressure level prediction in lightweight constructions caused by structure-borne sound sources and their uncertainties}, series = {Data in Brief}, volume = {2023}, journal = {Data in Brief}, number = {Volume 48, June 2023, article 109292}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {10.1016/j.dib.2023.109292}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20230719-64114}, pages = {1 -- 16}, abstract = {When predicting sound pressure levels induced by structure-borne sound sources and describing the sound propagation path through the building structure as exactly as possible, it is necessary to characterize the vibration behavior of the structure-borne sound sources. In this investigation, the characterization of structure-borne sound sources was performed using the two-stage method (TSM) described in EN 15657. Four different structure-borne sound sources were characterized and subsequently installed in a lightweight test stand. The resulting sound pressure levels in an adjacent receiving room were measured. In the second step, sound pressure levels were predicted according to EN 12354-5 based on the parameters of the structure-borne sound sources. Subsequently, the predicted and the measured sound pressure levels were compared to obtain reliable statements on the achievable accuracy when using source quantities determined by TSM with this prediction method.}, subject = {Bauakustik}, language = {en} } @techreport{KlemensTetzner2011, author = {Klemens, Laub and Tetzner, Thomas}, title = {Social Game Environmental Management}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.1459}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20110905-15587}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Was ist soziales spielen? Warum ist es heutzutage so beliebt? Welche Mechaniken stecken hinter dem Erfolg? Weiterhin behandelt der Bericht eine neue Spielidee, die eine umwelttechnische Komponente f{\"u}r Bildungszwecke beinhaltet.}, subject = {Facebook}, language = {en} } @article{AlsaadSchaelteSchneeweissetal., author = {Alsaad, Hayder and Sch{\"a}lte, Gereon and Schneeweiß, Mario and Becher, Lia and Pollack, Moritz and Gena, Amayu Wakoya and Schweiker, Marcel and Hartmann, Maria and Voelker, Conrad and Rossaint, Rolf and Irrgang, Matthias}, title = {The Spread of Exhaled Air and Aerosols during Physical Exercise}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {2023}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {Volume 12, issue 4, article 1300}, publisher = {Basel}, address = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12041300}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20230208-49262}, pages = {20}, abstract = {Physical exercise demonstrates a special case of aerosol emission due to its associated elevated breathing rate. This can lead to a faster spread of airborne viruses and respiratory diseases. Therefore, this study investigates cross-infection risk during training. Twelve human subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer under three mask scenarios: no mask, surgical mask, and FFP2 mask. The emitted aerosols were measured in a grey room with a measurement setup equipped with an optical particle sensor. The spread of expired air was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed using schlieren imaging. Moreover, user satisfaction surveys were conducted to evaluate the comfort of wearing face masks during training. The results indicated that both surgical and FFP2 masks significantly reduced particles emission with a reduction efficiency of 87.1\% and 91.3\% of all particle sizes, respectively. However, compared to surgical masks, FFP2 masks provided a nearly tenfold greater reduction of the particle size range with long residence time in the air (0.3-0.5 μm). Furthermore, the investigated masks reduced exhalation spreading distances to less than 0.15 m and 0.1 m in the case of the surgical mask and FFP2 mask, respectively. User satisfaction solely differed with respect to perceived dyspnea between no mask and FFP2 mask conditions.}, subject = {Sport}, language = {en} } @article{AlsaadVoelker, author = {Alsaad, Hayder and V{\"o}lker, Conrad}, title = {Qualitative evaluation of the flow supplied by personalized ventilation using schlieren imaging and thermography}, series = {Building and Environment}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Building and Environment}, number = {Volume 167, article 106450}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.4511}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20211008-45117}, pages = {11}, abstract = {Personalized ventilation (PV) is a mean of delivering conditioned outdoor air into the breathing zone of the occupants. This study aims to qualitatively investigate the personalized flows using two methods of visualization: (1) schlieren imaging using a large schlieren mirror and (2) thermography using an infrared camera. While the schlieren imaging was used to render the velocity and mass transport of the supplied flow, thermography was implemented to visualize the air temperature distribution induced by the PV. Both studies were conducted using a thermal manikin to simulate an occupant facing a PV outlet. As a reference, the flow supplied by an axial fan and a cased axial fan was visualized with the schlieren system as well and compared to the flow supplied by PV. Schlieren visualization results indicate that the steady, low-turbulence flow supplied by PV was able to penetrate the thermal convective boundary layer encasing the manikin's body, providing clean air for inhalation. Contrarily, the axial fan diffused the supplied air over a large target area with high turbulence intensity; it only disturbed the convective boundary layer rather than destroying it. The cased fan supplied a flow with a reduced target area which allowed supplying more air into the breathing zone compared to the fan. The results of thermography visualization showed that the supplied cool air from PV penetrated the corona-shaped thermal boundary layer. Furthermore, the supplied air cooled the surface temperature of the face, which indicates the large impact of PV on local thermal sensation and comfort.}, subject = {Bildverarbeitung}, language = {en} } @article{DokhanchiArnoldVogeletal.2020, author = {Dokhanchi, Najmeh Sadat and Arnold, J{\"o}rg and Vogel, Albert and V{\"o}lker, Conrad}, title = {Measurement of indoor air temperature distribution using acoustic travel-time tomography: Optimization of transducers location and sound-ray coverage of the room}, series = {Measurement}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Measurement}, number = {Volume 164, article 107934}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {10.1016/j.measurement.2020.107934}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20220524-46473}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Acoustic travel-time TOMography (ATOM) allows the measurement and reconstruction of air temperature distributions. Due to limiting factors, such as the challenge of travel-time estimation of the early reflections in the room impulse response, which heavily depends on the position of transducers inside the measurement area, ATOM is applied mainly outdoors. To apply ATOM in buildings, this paper presents a numerical solution to optimize the positions of transducers. This optimization avoids reflection overlaps, leading to distinguishable travel-times in the impulse response reflectogram. To increase the accuracy of the measured temperature within tomographic voxels, an additional function is employed to the proposed numerical method to minimize the number of sound-path-free voxels, ensuring the best sound-ray coverage of the room. Subsequently, an experimental set-up has been performed to verify the proposed numerical method. The results indicate the positive impact of the optimal positions of transducers on the distribution of ATOM-temperatures.}, subject = {Bauphysik}, language = {en} }