1. Life cycle environmental and cost modelling to support the development of national renovation roadmapsBen Jacobs, Els Van de moortel, Damien Trigaux, Gašper Stegnar, Ana Marija Spindler, Marjana Lutman, Meta Kržan, Karen Allacker, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In the context of the European Green Deal, achieving a climate-neutral building stock by 2050 has become a key objective. The 2024-revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) highlights this goal by requiring EU Member States to transform their long-term renovation strategies into practical National Renovation Plans. The LIFE project GreenRenoV8 supports the practical implementation of the EPBD by developing a scalable, cost-effective methodology for deep, sustainable building renovation. By combining the environmental performance with the economic implications (both investment and life cycle cost), the project aims to identify the most cost-effective renovation strategies. GreenRenoV8 focuses on five EU Member States: Austria, Belgium (Flanders region), Greece, Italy and Slovenia. A stock modelling approach is used, starting with the identification of representative building archetypes per country. For each archetype, specific renovation strategies are developed and their life cycle environmental impact, investment cost and life cycle cost are assessed. The results are extrapolated to the national level to determine the most cost-effective measures and to prioritize these. The modelling moreover incorporates seismic resilience where required. This paper describes the approach taken within the GreenRenoV8 project to support evidence-based renovation planning that maximizes environmental impact reduction and cost-effectiveness across the EU.
Keywords: energy efficiency, life-cycle costing, life-cycle assessment, building stock modelling, sustainable renovation, carbon-neutral buildings
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 136; Downloads: 77
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2. Life cycle environmental and cost modelling to support the development of national renovation roadmapsBen Jacobs, Els Van de moortel, Damien Trigaux, Gašper Stegnar, Ana Marija Spindler, Marjana Lutman, Meta Kržan, Karen Allacker, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: energy efficiency, life-cycle costing, life-cycle assessment, building stock modelling, sustainable renovation, carbon-neutral buildings
Published in DiRROS: 12.01.2026; Views: 166; Downloads: 80
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3. Seismic protection technologiesLuka Naumovski, Onur Kaplan, Vojko Kilar, Erkan Çelebi, Giuseppe D’Arenzo, Beatrice Faggiano, Giacomo Iovane, Saeid Javidi, Daniele Casagrande, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Taller timber buildings (TTBs) offer sustainability benefits but pose unique seismic challenges. The following chapter reviews state-of-the-art seismic protection technologies (SPTs) for TTBs, including low-damage self-centering systems, post-tensioned systems, supplemental damping systems, passive and active control systems and base isolation. It discusses the principles, applications, and future challenges of each technology. While significant progress and innovative solutions have been achieved, outstanding challenges include scaling the technology, optimizing cost-effectiveness, and managing interactions between structural and non-structural elements to enhance functional recovery, damage limitation, and acceleration reduction. By examining current practices and future directions, this review facilitates a broader understanding and implementation of SPTs, promoting the sustainable growth of TTBs in seismic-prone regions.
Keywords: timber buildings, earthquake engineering, seismic protection technologies, low-damage and self-centring, post-tensioned systems, supplemental damping systems, passive and active control, base isolation
Published in DiRROS: 08.10.2025; Views: 365; Downloads: 165
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4. Fire safety of timber buildings – the case of photovoltaic systems : a recent exampleNik Rus, Andrea Lucherini, Grunde Jomaas, Mohammad Derikvand, 2025, other scientific articles Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) systems play an important role in reducing society’s dependence on carbon-based energy sources, and their coupling with timber buildings is an interesting and expected solution for meeting sustainability requirements in the modern built environment. However, both PV systems and timber structures have unique fire safety challenges, and their combination may introduce additional risks. Therefore, relevant fire hazards associated with each of the technologies and their pairing are discussed. The findings highlight the importance of revising fire testing standards and developing tailored safety measures to identify and manage these risks.
Keywords: fire safety, timber buildings, photovoltaics, sustainability
Published in DiRROS: 17.03.2025; Views: 880; Downloads: 583
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5. Turning a point cloud into a Building Information Model (BIM) : defining and validating the accuracy requirements for existing buildingsKatja Žagar, Laurens Jozef Nicolaas Oostwegel, Katja Malovrh Rebec, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Digitization of existing buildings is one of the main future goals, leading to efficient planning, renovation and maintenance. Among the existing buildings, a significant share is protected as a cultural heritage and their management is supervised because interventions on the protected sites are limited. Building information modeling (BIM) provides the opportunity to integrate accurate as-built information into the digital environment where it can easily be accessed and used. A digital representation of building creation usually starts with the acquisition of spatial data (point cloud), which is then used to create a semantically enriched model with certain geometric accuracy (BIM). In order for the model to serve its purpose, it is important to define how accurate the model should be. Since there are currently insufficient definitions of geometric requirementsfor specific BIM use cases, the research hypothesis was that the quality of BIM greatly depends on the modeler. The identified issue was approached with a study case. Using the point cloud of the existing building, the BIM was made and validated based on pre-defined accuracy requirements. Different accuracy validation methods were used in the process. Based on the results of the study case, conclusions and recommendations for efficient BIM creation were prepared.
Keywords: digitalization of existing buildings, point cloud, building information model, BIM, geometric accuracy
Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 898; Downloads: 490
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6. The impact of a thermal insulation layer on the seismic performance of energy-efficient buildingsStanislav Lenart, Siva Ram Karumanchi, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Energy-efficient homes are constructed with a continuous and uniform thermal envelope and are commonly built on top of a thermal insulation (TI) layer that encloses the entire building. Lightweight aggregates such as foamed glass aggregate, expanded clay aggregate, and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation boards are commonly used as materials for the TI layer to prevent thermal bridging at the ground floor slab. However, the reinforced concrete slab foundation above the TI layer is susceptible to horizontal sliding during seismic loading. To improve the seismic behavior of buildings founded on TI layers, this study discussed the shear stiffness and damping characteristics of lightweight aggregates and three types of XPS boards through laboratory tests available in the literature. A 2-dimensional numerical analysis is performed, and the corresponding validation results of the simulations are presented. The effect of TI layers on the seismic performance of buildings constructed with TI layers made from these materials is assessed. A comparative analysis of various interface conditions of the TI materials under seismic loading is also conducted. Overall, this research aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of energy-efficient homes by investigating the impact of TI layers on their seismic performance. The findings provide valuable insights for designing more robust structures that can withstand seismic events.
Keywords: energy-efficient buildings, thermal insulation, extruded polystyrene (XPS), finite element analysis, foamed glass aggregate, seismic response
Published in DiRROS: 21.01.2025; Views: 743; Downloads: 424
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7. Improved understanding of thermal comfort could yield energy savings in heritage buildingsKatja Žagar, Uroš Bohinc, Blaž Kurent, Katja Malovrh Rebec, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: It is necessary to improve the understanding of thermal comfort to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling in heritage buildings, which are often energy inefficient and where interventions are limited. Personal thermal comfort models based on measurements of environmental conditions and the individual's physiological and subjective responses represent a potential solution to ensure the optimization of existing systems. Past research shows that lighting could impact thermophysiology and subjective perception of thermal conditions, but it is not clear whether the impact is sufficient to make light adaptation an appropriate solution to reduce energy consumption in heritage buildings, where people live and work. The research conducted under realistic semi-controlled conditions in an office environment of an existing building addresses this research gap. The paper presents the first partial simplified analyses and preliminary results of a wider ongoing study, mainly showing a correlation between skin temperature and air temperature and a partially promising effect of light on subjective thermal perception. Our research on the effect of light on thermal comfort does not provide definitive conclusions but rather highlights the need for further investigation in actual heritage buildings.
Keywords: heritage buildings, minimal intervention renovation, thermal comfort, light
Published in DiRROS: 19.12.2024; Views: 873; Downloads: 496
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8. Implementation and consideration of circularity within international sustainability assessment methodsChristina Giarma, Patrizia Lombardi, Rand Askar, Nika Trubina, Daniela Santana Tovar, Adriana Salles, Hasan Volkan Oral, Rocío Pineda-Martos, Aikaterina Karanafti, Bahar Feizollahbeig, Ricardo Mateus, Sara Torabi Moghadam, Janez Turk, Ruben Paul Borg, Luís Bragança, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The construction sector is a major contributor to environmental degradation, prompting the need for integrating sustainability into its practices. This need has driven the development of sustainability assessment methods across various scales of the built environment. Simultaneously, the recent emphasis on Circular Economy (CE) principles has introduced challenges in translating these principles into measurable outcomes within the construction sector. This study aims to investigate the extent to which circularity principles are embedded within existing sustain- ability assessment methods for new buildings. The study begins by addressing the interrelationships and distinctions between circularity and sustainability concepts, establishing a foundation for the subsequent analysis. Five internationally recognised sustainability assessment methods for new buildings—BREEAM, DGNB, LEED, Level(s), SBTool—were examined to assess their incorporation of circularity aspects. Each component of these methods was scrutinised for alignment with the 10 circularity strategies outlined in the well-established 10-R framework of waste hierarchy. Expert groups, consisting of CircularB COST Action members, independently evaluated the methods and provided opinions on the direct and indirect associations between the assessed components and the 10-R principles. Disagreements were resolved through group discussions. The analysis revealed varying degrees of integration and explicit reference to circularity principles across the assessed methods. The study also highlighted the subjectivity inherent in identifying correlations and the challenges connected to linking certain circularity-related concepts in the built environment—such as resilience and adaptability—with the 10-R strategies. The findings underscore the need for a more in-depth analysis before making direct comparisons of the integration of circularity principles among different sustainability assessment methods, given their methodological differences. The study also identifies directions for future research.
Keywords: circular economy, sustainability, buildings’ Sustainability assessment, 10-R Framework
Published in DiRROS: 18.12.2024; Views: 884; Downloads: 645
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10. A comparison of models for forecasting the residential natural gas demand of an urban areaRok Hribar, Primož Potočnik, Jurij Šilc, Gregor Papa, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Forecasting the residential natural gas demand for large groups of buildings is extremely important for efficient logistics in the energy sector. In this paper different forecast models for residential natural gas demand of an urban area were implemented and compared. The models forecast gas demand with hourly resolution up to 60 h into the future. The model forecasts are based on past temperatures, forecasted temperatures and time variables, which include markers for holidays and other occasional events. The models were trained and tested on gas-consumption data gathered in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Machine-learning models were considered, such as linear regression, kernel machine and artificial neural network. Additionally, empirical models were developed based on data analysis. Two most accurate models were found to be recurrent neural network and linear regression model. In realistic setting such trained models can be used in conjunction with a weather-forecasting service to generate forecasts for future gas demand.
Keywords: demand forecasting, buildings, energy modeling, forecast accuracy, machine learning
Published in DiRROS: 15.03.2019; Views: 3371; Downloads: 1557
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