Resource Efficiency and Thermal Comfort of 3D Printable Concrete Building Envelopes Optimized by Performance Enhancing Insulation: A Numerical Study

Abstract

3D concrete printing has gained tremendous popularity as a promising technique with the potential to remarkably push the boundaries of conventional concrete technology. Enormous research efforts have been directed towards improving the material properties and structural safety of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) over the last decade. In contrast, little attention has been accorded to its sustainability performance in the built environment. This study compares the energy efficiency, operational carbon emission, and thermal comfort of air cavity 3DPC building envelopes against insulated models. Four insulations, namely expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyurethane foam (PUF), and fiberglass (FG), are iteratively paired with three different 3DPC mix designs, and their resulting performances are reported. A numerical optimization analysis is performed to obtain combinations of 3DPC building models and insulation with the least energy expenditure, carbon production, and thermal efficiency. The results indicate that insulation considerably enhances the overall environmental performance of 3DPC structures. The optimization process also demonstrates the potential of using 3D printable fiber reinforced engineered cementitious concrete (3DPFRECC) with polyurethane infill for amplified sustainable performance in modern construction.

Skin-Contact Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting and Motion Sensing: Principles, Challenges, and Perspectives

“…This paper will discuss the principles of skin-contact triboelectric nanogenerators, focusing on the triboelectric effect and its role in energy harvesting, the working mechanism of skin-contact TENG, and the materials used in skin-contact TENG [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. The transfer of electrons causes an electrical potential difference to be created between the two surfaces [ 8 , 60 ]. The presence of an electrical potential difference between two points has the potential to be exploited for energy extraction.…”

“…In essence, the electrical potential difference serves as a resource for generating electricity through the transformation of mechanical energy. Skin-contact TENGs use the triboelectric effect to generate electrical energy by converting the motion of the human body into electrical energy [ 8 , 9 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ].…”

“…However, this technology can also be applied in other fields, for example, utilizing it as a smart sensor in structural smart control systems [ 5 , 6 ]. In this review paper, we provide a detailed overview of skin-contact TENG technology, covering its principles, challenges, and perspectives for energy-harvesting and motion-sensing applications [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. This study begins by defining skin-contact TENG and discussing the importance of energy harvesting and motion sensing [ 14 ].…”

Development of a Web-Based Integrated Service Management System to Improve Service Quality and Income Generating at UNY Sports Hall

“…Some experts define management as a process. The Encyclopedia of Social Science says that management is a process by which the implementation of a particular goal is organized and supervised [1], [2], Management is the art and science of managing organizational resources to achieve predetermined goals. In the context of sports facilities, corporate resources include time, workforce, finances, and the physical facilities themselves.…”

Recent Progress of Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Biomedical Sensors: From Design to Application

“…Figure 3 b presents the triboelectric series for some common materials. Triboelectrification phenomena occur in practically commons material, including metals, polymers, silk, and wood, among others [ 61 , 62 ]. As any of these materials can be used to make TENGs, the range of accessible materials for TENG construction is broad.…”