The 10 most recently published documents
In computer-aided design (CAD), industrial products are designed using a virtual 3D model. A CAD model typically consists of curves and surfaces in a parametric representation, in most cases, non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS). The same representation is also used for the analysis, optimization and presentation of the model. In each phase of this process, different visualizations are required to provide an appropriate user feedback. Designers work with illustrative and realistic renderings, engineers need a
comprehensible visualization of the simulation results, and usability studies or product presentations benefit from using a 3D display. However, the interactive visualization of NURBS models and corresponding physical simulations is a challenging task because of the computational complexity and the limited graphics hardware support.
This thesis proposes four novel rendering approaches that improve the interactive visualization of CAD models and their analysis. The presented algorithms exploit latest graphics hardware capabilities to advance the state-of-the-art in terms of quality, efficiency and performance. In particular, two approaches describe the direct rendering of the parametric representation without precomputed approximations and timeconsuming pre-processing steps. New data structures and algorithms are presented for the efficient partition, classification, tessellation, and rendering of trimmed NURBS surfaces as well as the first direct isosurface ray-casting approach for NURBS-based isogeometric analysis. The other two approaches introduce the versatile concept of programmable order-independent semi-transparency for the illustrative and comprehensible visualization of depth-complex CAD models, and a novel method for the hybrid reprojection of opaque and semi-transparent image information to accelerate stereoscopic rendering. Both approaches are also applicable to standard polygonal geometry which contributes to the computer graphics and virtual reality research communities.
The evaluation is based on real-world NURBS-based models and simulation data. The results show that rendering can be performed directly on the underlying parametric representation with interactive frame rates and subpixel-precise image results. The computational costs of additional visualization effects, such as semi-transparency and stereoscopic rendering, are reduced to maintain interactive frame rates. The benefit of this performance gain was confirmed by quantitative measurements and a pilot user study.
Für eine Abschätzung des Heizwärmebedarfs von Gebäuden und Quartieren können thermisch-energetische Simulationen eingesetzt werden. Grundlage dieser Simulationen sind geometrische und physikalische Gebäudemodelle. Die Erstellung des geometrischen Modells erfolgt in der Regel auf Basis von Bauplänen oder Vor-Ort-Begehungen, was mit einem großen Recherche- und Modellierungsaufwand verbunden ist. Spätere bauliche Veränderungen des Gebäudes müssen häufig manuell in das Modell eingearbeitet werden, was den Arbeitsaufwand zusätzlich erhöht. Das physikalische Modell stellt die Menge an Parametern und Randbedingungen dar, welche durch Materialeigenschaften, Lage und Umgebungs-einflüsse gegeben sind. Die Verknüpfung beider Modelle wird innerhalb der entsprechenden Simulations-software realisiert und ist meist nicht in andere Softwareprodukte überführbar.
Mithilfe des Building Information Modeling (BIM) können Simulationsdaten sowohl konsistent gespeichert als auch über Schnittstellen mit entsprechenden Anwendungen ausgetauscht werden. Hierfür wird eine Methode vorgestellt, die thermisch-energetische Simulationen auf Basis des standardisierten Übergabe-formats Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) inklusive anschließender Auswertungen ermöglicht. Dabei werden geometrische und physikalische Parameter direkt aus einem über den gesamten Lebenszyklus aktuellen Gebäudemodell extrahiert und an die Simulation übergeben. Dies beschleunigt den Simulations-prozess hinsichtlich der Gebäudemodellierung und nach späteren baulichen Veränderungen. Die erarbeite-te Methode beruht hierbei auf einfachen Modellierungskonventionen bei der Erstellung des Bauwerksinformationsmodells und stellt eine vollständige Übertragbarkeit der Eingangs- und Ausgangswerte sicher.
Thermal building simulation based on BIM-models. Thermal energetic simulations are used for the estimation of the heating demand of buildings and districts. These simulations are based on building models containing geometrical and physical information. The creation of geometrical models is usually based on existing construction plans or in situ assessments which demand a comparatively big effort of investigation and modeling. Alterations, which are later applied to the structure, request manual changes of the related model, which increases the effort additionally. The physical model represents the total amount of parameters and boundary conditions that are influenced by material properties, location and environmental influences on the building. The link between both models is realized within the correspondent simulation soft-ware and is usually not transferable to other software products.
By Applying Building Information Modeling (BIM) simulation data is stored consistently and an exchange to other software is enabled. Therefore, a method which allows a thermal energetic simulation based on the exchange format Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) including an evaluation is presented. All geometrical and physical information are extracted directly from the building model that is kept up-to-date during its life cycle and transferred to the simulation. This accelerates the simulation process regarding the geometrical modeling and adjustments after later changes of the building. The developed method is based on simple conventions for the creation of the building model and ensures a complete transfer of all simulation data.
The high resource demand of the building sector clearly indicates the need to search for alternative, renewable and energy-efficient materials. This work presents paper-laminated sandwich elements with a core of corrugated paperboard that can serve as architectural components with a load-bearing capacity after a linear folding process. Conventional methods either use paper tubes or glued layers of honeycomb panels. In contrast, the folded components are extremely lightweight, provide the material strength exactly where it is statically required and offer many possibilities for design variants. After removing stripes of the paper lamination, the sandwich can be folded in a linear way at this position. Without the resistance of the missing paper, the sandwich core can be easily compressed. The final angle of the folding correlates with the width of the removed paper stripe. As such, this angle can be described by a simple geometric equation. The geometrical basis for the production of folded sandwich elements was established and many profile types were generated such as triangular, square or rectangular shapes. The method allows the easy planning and fast production of components that can be used in the construction sector. A triangle profile was used to create a load-bearing frame as supporting structure for an experimental building. This first permanent building completely made of corrugated cardboard was evaluated in a two-year test to confirm the efficiency of the developed components. In addition to the frame shown in this paper, large-scale sandwich elements with a core of folded components can be used to fabricate lightweight ceilings and large-scale sandwich components. The method enables the efficient production of linearly folded cardboard elements which can replace normal wooden components like beams, pillars or frames and bring a fully recycled material in the context of architectural construction.
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.
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.
The production of a desired product needs an effective use of the experimental model. The present study proposes an extreme learning machine (ELM) and a support vector machine (SVM) integrated with the response surface methodology (RSM) to solve the complexity in optimization and prediction of the ethyl ester and methyl ester production process. The novel hybrid models of ELM-RSM and ELM-SVM are further used as a case study to estimate the yield of methyl and ethyl esters through a trans-esterification process from waste cooking oil (WCO) based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The results of the prediction phase were also compared with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which were recently developed by the second author of this study. Based on the results, an ELM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9815 and 0.9863 for methyl and ethyl esters, respectively, had a high estimation capability compared with that for SVM, ANNs, and ANFIS. Accordingly, the maximum production yield was obtained in the case of using ELM-RSM of 96.86% for ethyl ester at a temperature of 68.48 °C, a catalyst value of 1.15 wt. %, mixing intensity of 650.07 rpm, and an alcohol to oil molar ratio (A/O) of 5.77; for methyl ester, the production yield was 98.46% at a temperature of 67.62 °C, a catalyst value of 1.1 wt. %, mixing intensity of 709.42 rpm, and an A/O of 6.09. Therefore, ELM-RSM increased the production yield by 3.6% for ethyl ester and 3.1% for methyl ester, compared with those for the experimental data.
Management strategies for sustainable sugarcane production need to deal with the increasing complexity and variability of the whole sugar system. Moreover, they need to accommodate the multiple goals of different industry sectors and the wider community. Traditional disciplinary approaches are unable to provide integrated management solutions, and an approach based on whole systems analysis is essential to bring about beneficial change to industry and the community. The application of this approach to water management, environmental management and cane supply management is outlined, where the literature indicates that the application of extreme learning machine (ELM) has never been explored in this realm. Consequently, the leading objective of the current research was set to filling this gap by applying ELM to launch swift and accurate model for crop production data-driven. The key learning has been the need for innovation both in the technical aspects of system function underpinned by modelling of sugarcane growth. Therefore, the current study is an attempt to establish an integrate model using ELM to predict the concluding growth amount of sugarcane. Prediction results were evaluated and further compared with artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic programming models. Accuracy of the ELM model is calculated using the statistics indicators of Root Means Square Error (RMSE), Pearson Coefficient (r), and Coefficient of Determination (R2) with promising results of 0.8, 0.47, and 0.89, respectively. The results also show better generalization ability in addition to faster learning curve. Thus, proficiency of the ELM for supplementary work on advancement of prediction model for sugarcane growth was approved with promising results.
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.
Der vorliegende Text beschreibt die intensive Erforschung von Wabenplatten aus Papierwerkstoffen, die durch Faltprozesse neue räumliche Zustände einnehmen können und somit ihr ursprüngliches Anwendungsspektrum erweitern. Die gezeigten Lösungsansätze bewegen sich dabei im Spannungsfeld von Architektur und Ingenieurbau, denn die gefalteten Bauteile sind nicht nur äußerst tragfähig sondern besitzen auch eine ästhetische Form. Die entwickelten Verfahren und Konstruktionen werden auf einem hohen architektonischen Niveau präsentiert und mit einfachen ingenieurtechnischen Methoden verifiziert. Zur Lösungsfindung werden geometrische Verfahren ebenso angewendet wie konstruktive Faustformeln und Recherchen aus Architektur und Forschung.
Der Fokus der Arbeit liegt auf der Untersuchung von Faltungen in Wabenplatten. Während der Auseinandersetzung mit der Thematik erschienen jedoch viele weitere Aspekte als sehr interessant und bearbeitungswürdig. Als theoretische Grundlage dieser Arbeit werden deshalb die geschichtliche Entwicklung und die gesellschaftliche Bedeutung von Papier und Papierwerkstoffen analysiert und deren Produktionsprozesse beleuchtet. Diese Vorgehensweise ermöglicht eine Einordnung des Potentials und der Bedeutung des Werkstoffs Papier. Der Kontext der Arbeit wird dadurch gestärkt und führt zu interessanten zukünftigen Forschungsansätzen.
Intensive Untersuchungen widmen sich der geometrischen Bestimmung von Faltungen in Wabenplatten aus Papierwerkstoffen sowie deren Manifestation als konstruktive Bauteile. Auch die statischen Eigenschaften der Elemente und ihr Konstruktionspotential werden erforscht und aufbereitet. Wichtige Impulse aus Forschung und Technik fließen in die Recherche der Arbeit ein und erlauben die Verortung der Ergebnisse im architektonischen Kontext. Versuchsreihen und Materialstudien an Prototypen belegen die Ergebnisse virtueller und rechnerischer Studien. Konzepte zur parametrischen Berechnung und Visualisierung der Forschungsergebnisse werden präsentiert und zeigen zukunftsfähige Planungshilfen für die Industrie auf. Etliche Testreihen zu unterschiedlichsten Abdichtungskonzepten führen zur Realisierung eines sehenswerten Experimentalbaus. Er erlaubt die dauerhafte Untersuchung der entwickelten Bauteile unter realistischen Bedingungen und bestätigt deren Leistungsfähigkeit. Dadurch wird nicht nur ein dauerhaftes Monitoring und eine Evaluierung der Leistungsdaten möglich sondern es wird auch der sichtbare Beweis erbracht, dass mit Papierwerkstoffen effiziente und hochwertige Architekturen zu realisieren sind, welche das enorme gestalterische Potential von gefalteten Wabenplatten ausnutzen.
The building sector is responsible for a large share of human environmental impacts. Architects and planners are the key players for reducing the environmental impacts of buildings, as they define them to a large extent. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) allows for the holistic environmental analysis of a building. However, it is currently not employed to improve the environmental performance of buildings during the design process, although the potential for optimization is greatest there. One main reason is the lack of an adequate means of applying LCA in the architectural design process. As such, the main objective of this thesis is to develop a method for environmental building design optimization that is applicable in the design process. The key concept proposed in this thesis is to combine LCA with parametric design, because it proved to have a high potential for design optimization.
The research approach includes the analysis of the characteristics of LCA for buildings and the architectural design stages to identify the research gap, the establishment of a requirement catalogue, the development of a method based on a digital, parametric model, and an evaluation of the method.
An analysis of currently available approaches for LCA of buildings indicates that they are either holistic but very complex or simple but not holistic. Furthermore, none of them provide the opportunity for optimization in the architectural design process, which is the main research gap. The requirements derived from the analysis have been summarized in the form of a catalogue. This catalogue can be used to evaluate both existing approaches and potential methods developed in the future. In this thesis, it served as guideline for the development of the parametric method – Parametric Life Cycle Assessment (PLCA). The unique main feature of PLCA is that embodied and operational environmental impact are calculated together. In combination with the self-contained workflow of the method, this provides the basis for holistic, time-efficient environmental design optimization. The application of PLCA to three examples indicated that all established mandatory requirements are met. In all cases, environmental impact could be significantly reduced. In comparison to conventional approaches, PLCA was shown to be much more time-efficient.
PLCA allows architects to focus on their main task of designing the building, and finally makes LCA practically useful as one of several criteria for design optimization. With PLCA, the building design can be time-efficiently optimized from the beginning of the most influential early design stages, which has not been possible until now. PLCA provides a good starting point for further research. In the future, it could be extended by integrating the social and economic aspects of sustainability.