English

In this paper, a literature survey on rectangular and round ventilation ducts is presented. The comparison is based on two important aspects: pressure drop and noise radiation. The pressure losses in the ductwork should be kept as low as possible without jeopardizing proper control of the flow rates in the system. Pressure loss through a rectangular duct is significant higher than a volumetrically equal round one. The higher the aspect ratio, the higher-pressure loss in the rectangular system.

This paper describes a modular facade system, which supplies the room behind with the necessary amounts of heat, light and fresh air. Aims of the development of this facade were both to achieve a high degree of comfort for the users and to save energy in comparison to a conventional facade. The experimental investigations to assess and to optimize the facade system were performed in a PASLINK test cell. These test cells allow measurements of the thermal and solar performance of facade elements in original dimensions and under natural climate conditions.

An energy balance over an urban area and over a rural one, reveals that the first case is always more complex than the last one. The urban context is able to change all the energy transferences mainly due to its own layout. Thus, analysing all the energy transferences one by one, we can find how they affect in a different way depending on the surroundings, among other influences.

A field survey on thermal comfort in Algeria has never been previously attempted, and for this reason the present study was conducted. The present paper will present a field study of thermal comfort in Algeria. A thermal comfort survey has been held among 160 persons in 4 towns of Algeria representing three different climatic regions. The survey has been carried out in two different types of buildings: Domestic buildings and Office buildings. Subjective data were collected from 160 people by the use of questionnaires.

In the introduction of the paper are reasons presented, which cause local thermal discomfort. Currently the reasons of asymmetric thermal radiation are not clearly explained. Therefore I oriented my experimetal laboratory measurements, which were carried out in a special microclimatic laboratory on radiant ceiling heating. A special laboratory model of heating of interior was created. The measurements were performed with the help of a thermal mannequin that was used to measure the asymmetric radiation (that is asymmetry of perceived temperature).

A research project is designed to evaluate different aspects affecting human comfort in an architectural space. One of the basic parts of the research project is the evaluation of the auditory, visual and thermal comfort. A university library in Istanbul is selected as the subject of the research. The library building, which has unusual settlement and design peculiarities, is an interesting case from acoustical view point as well, because of the closeness to a heavy traffic road and architectural properties.

The indoor environmental quality of a building is intended as the thermal, visual, acoustic and indoor air quality performances as a whole, which provide health and comfort for occupants. In architecture, global approach to environmental quality design is necessary. High levels of quality are needed for each aspect, even though design requirements may at times be opposed. In order to determine opportunities and limits of global approach, problems related to visual and acoustic comfort assessment were examined for a baroque church in Italy.

The main objective of our study was to know more about indoor air quality in offices building over a long period. Our study has been carried out in one building located downtown Lyon (France). Measurements have been carried out one day each month during a one year period. Indoor air quality in the offices along with the one of air flows of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) installation (outdoor air, blown air and returned air) has been characterised by temperature and relative humidity of air, dust concentration level, air biocontamination and CO2 concentrations.

This paper presents the results of a series of specially designed experiments to study moisture transport across bonded or natural contact interfaces between building materials. The results showed that the bonded or natural contact interfaces between aerated concrete and mortar are imperfect hydraulic contact. In addition, all the tested cases were simulated using a numerical model. The results showed that there was good agreement between experimental results and predictions made by the model.

Material properties, water vapor permeability, sorption/suction isotherm and moisture diffusivity, are prerequisite for application of all hygrothermal models. Based on the experimental results and well-determined material properties, a numerical model was validated. This model was then used to analyze the sensitivities of the moisture flow across imperfect hydraulic contact interface with respect to these three material properties.