Aerial Thermographic Image-Based Assessment of Thermal Bridges Using Representative Classifications and Calculations

Abstract

Since the middle of the 20th century many any buildings were built without any energy standards and still have a comparably poor energy quality. To obtain an overview of the current thermal quality of buildings in a whole city district, it may be promising to work with thermographic images obtained by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Aerial thermography represents a fast and cost-efficient approach compared to traditional terrestrial thermography. In this paper, we describe an approach to finding thermal bridges on aerial thermographic images and characterizing them in terms of their risk of mold formation, energy losses, retrofit costs, and retrofit benefits. To identify thermal bridge types that can be detected reliably on aerial thermographic images, we use a dataset collected with a UAV in an urban district of the German city of Karlsruhe. We classify and characterize 14 relevant thermal bridge types for the German building cohorts of the 1950s and 1960s. Concerning the criterion of mold formation, thermal bridges of window components, basement ceiling slabs, balcony slabs, floor slabs, and attics are found to be particularly relevant to retrofit projects. Regarding energy savings, the retrofit of thermal bridges of window sills, window lintels, and attics shows high potential. The retrofit of attics seems to be less attractive, when also taking into account the necessary retrofit costs.

Risks of Drone Use in Light of Literature Studies

“…Sampling and testing of waters [93][94][95][96] Studying the behaviour of sea creatures [97] Ocean observation to model tropical cyclones [98] Monitoring for shark warnings [99] Mapping the distribution of vegetation that provides habitat for sea creatures [100] Monitoring reefs and factors affecting seaweed growth [101] Monitoring critical phenomena to support the management of aquaculture farms [102] Spatial modelling of salt marshes [103] Infrastructure Three-dimensional mapping of selected infrastructure facilities [106] Condition monitoring of transmission networks [104,105] Assessment of the thermal quality of buildings [107] Identification of traces of historical objects [108] Table 6. Cont.…”

Determination of Thermal Bridge of the Buildings from Infrared Images

“…Almanya'da 1950-1969 yılları arasında inşa edilen yapıların ısı yalıtım performansları ve ısı kaybına yol açan kesimlerinin tespiti için insansız hava aracı (İHA) ile termal görüntüler almıştır. Elde edilen görüntüleri ThermCad yazılımı ile analiz ederek pencere eşiği, balkon döşemesi, lento, çatı penceresi, pencere kasası, kat döşemesi, mahya, çatı katı kanyaklı ısı kayıplarını manuel olarak belirlemiştir [6]. Mayer [22].…”