Multi-Objective Optimisation of the Energy Performance of Lightweight Constructions Combining Evolutionary Algorithms and Life Cycle Cost

Abstract

This paper discusses the thermal and energy performance of a detached lightweight building. The building was monitored with hygrothermal sensors to collect data for building energy model calibration. The calibration was performed using a dynamic simulation through EnergyPlus® (EP) (Version 8.5, United States Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, DC, USA) with a hybrid evolutionary algorithm to minimise the root mean square error of the differences between the predicted and real recorded data. The results attained reveal a good agreement between predicted and real data with a goodness of fit below the limits imposed by the guidelines. Then, the evolutionary algorithm was used to meet the compliance criteria defined by the Passive House standard for different regions in Portugal’s mainland using different approaches in the overheating evaluation. The multi-objective optimisation was developed to study the interaction between annual heating demand and overheating rate objectives to assess their trade-offs, tracing the Pareto front solution for different climate regions throughout the whole of Portugal. However, the overheating issue is present, and numerous best solutions from multi-objective optimisation were determined, hindering the selection of a single best option. Hence, the life cycle cost of the Pareto solutions was determined, using the life cycle cost as the final criterion to single out the optimal solution or a combination of parameters.

Location Preferences of New Pedestrian Bridges Based on Multi-Criteria Decision-Making and GIS-Based Estimation

“…Also, it significantly depends on terrain and ground or soil conditions. Construction cost consists of costs for building a foundation, bearing constructions, facing, building the connections to the bridge (Oliveira, Figueiredo, Vicente, & Almeida, 2018). There are also sub-factors, like finding the best operator or company for construction works and maintenance.…”

Multiscale Modelling Approach Targeting Optimisation of PCM into Constructive Solutions for Overheating Mitigation in Buildings

“…The main properties of the building are detailed in [46] with a schematic view. The envelope of the building (see Table 1) is composed of a massive ground floor concrete slab, with 10 cm of thermal insulation positioned underneath.…”

“…Additional features, including real schedules, ventilation system characterization with heat recovery as well as monitoring plots are fully detailed in Oliveira et al [46].…”

Energy renovation of multi-family buildings in Sweden : An evaluation of life cycle costs, indoor environment and primary energy use, and a comparison with constructing a new building

“…LCC analysis is an approach that summarizes the costs occurring during a building's life cycle, discounted to present costs (Gluch & Baumann, 2004). Several studies have used approaches that include cost optimization in a renovation or building context (Almeida & Ferreira, 2018;Bonakdar et al, 2014;Ferreira, Almeida, Rodrigues, & Silva, 2016;Ganiç Sa, Zerrin Yılmaz, Becchio, & Corgnati, 2017;Gustafsson, 1990Gustafsson, , 1988Hamdy, Hasan, & Siren, 2013;Mauro, Hamdy, Vanoli, Bianco, & Hensen, 2015;Milić et al, 2017;Oliveira, Figueiredo, Vicente, & Almeida, 2018). LCC optimization is included in several of these studies.…”