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Knowing the properties of vernacular materials is crucial to heritage conservation and to develop innovative solutions. Reed, considered to be a carbon-neutral and a carbon dioxide sink material, has been used for centuries for diverse uses. Its high availability and properties made it a popular building material, including in Portuguese vernacular architecture. An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the physical performance, thermal performance, and durability of the reed found in Portugal since the characterisation of this material was not found in previous studies. The influence of geometric characteristics and the presence of nodes on these properties were also analysed, and the results showed that they are irrelevant. The studied reeds were found to have an adequate thermal performance to be used as thermal insulation. Their thermal resistance (1.8 m2·°C/W) and thermal conductivity (0.06 W/m·°C) are under the requirements defined by Portuguese regulations on thermal insulation materials. Overall, the physical characteristics (moisture content, density, and retraction) are compatible to its use in the construction. Concerning durability, there was only a trend for mould growth in particular environments. The results provide valuable data to be considered in the development of new construction products based on this natural and renewable material. Additionally, considering the studied samples, the reed found in Portugal has characteristics suitable for use as a building material, especially as a thermal insulation material.
Raphaele Malheiro; Adriana Ansolin; Christiane Guarnier; Jorge Fernandes; Maria Amorim; Sandra Silva; Ricardo Mateus. The Potential of the Reed as a Regenerative Building Material—Characterisation of Its Durability, Physical, and Thermal Performances. Energies 2021, 14, 4276 .
AMA StyleRaphaele Malheiro, Adriana Ansolin, Christiane Guarnier, Jorge Fernandes, Maria Amorim, Sandra Silva, Ricardo Mateus. The Potential of the Reed as a Regenerative Building Material—Characterisation of Its Durability, Physical, and Thermal Performances. Energies. 2021; 14 (14):4276.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRaphaele Malheiro; Adriana Ansolin; Christiane Guarnier; Jorge Fernandes; Maria Amorim; Sandra Silva; Ricardo Mateus. 2021. "The Potential of the Reed as a Regenerative Building Material—Characterisation of Its Durability, Physical, and Thermal Performances." Energies 14, no. 14: 4276.
Jorge Fernandes; Marco Peixoto; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio. Corrigendum to ‘Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks’ [J. Clean. Prod. 241 (2019) 118286]. Journal of Cleaner Production 2021, 294, 126361 .
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Marco Peixoto, Ricardo Mateus, Helena Gervásio. Corrigendum to ‘Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks’ [J. Clean. Prod. 241 (2019) 118286]. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021; 294 ():126361.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Marco Peixoto; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio. 2021. "Corrigendum to ‘Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks’ [J. Clean. Prod. 241 (2019) 118286]." Journal of Cleaner Production 294, no. : 126361.
The palafitic timber constructions of the central Portuguese coastline are an example of the adaptation to site-specific conditions (climate and sand landscape morphodynamics) using the available endogenous resources. Thus, in a context of environmental awareness and climate change, it is relevant to understand their features/strategies and how they perform. This work analyses the energy performance and thermal condition evaluation of a vernacular timber building–palheiro–from Praia de Mira, through in situ measurements, subjective analysis and energy simulation provided by DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus. The results show a good or satisfactory thermal performance during most of the seasons by passive means only. Despite, it was not possible to guarantee thermal comfort conditions for the occupants during winter. In the energy performance analysis, five scenarios, with different external walls, were compared. In the two scenarios that satisfy the maximum U-value for the climate zone, the current conventional building had a slightly better performance on heating and cooling (less 1.1 and 1.4 kWh/m2, respectively) than the timber building. However, the difference between the two construction solutions is not substantial in the annual energy demand (2.5 kWh/m2, 7.3%), indicating that timber structures are suitable in this mild climate area.
Jorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio; Sandra Silva; Jorge Branco; Manuela Almeida. Thermal Performance and Comfort Conditions Analysis of a Vernacular Palafitic Timber Building in Portuguese Coastline Context. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10484 .
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Ricardo Mateus, Helena Gervásio, Sandra Silva, Jorge Branco, Manuela Almeida. Thermal Performance and Comfort Conditions Analysis of a Vernacular Palafitic Timber Building in Portuguese Coastline Context. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (24):10484.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio; Sandra Silva; Jorge Branco; Manuela Almeida. 2020. "Thermal Performance and Comfort Conditions Analysis of a Vernacular Palafitic Timber Building in Portuguese Coastline Context." Sustainability 12, no. 24: 10484.
The present research is focused on an experimental investigation to evaluate the mechanical, durability, and thermal performance of compressed earth blocks (CEBs) produced in Portugal. CEBs were analysed in terms of electrical resistivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, total water absorption, water absorption by capillarity, accelerated erosion test, and thermal transmittance evaluated in a guarded hotbox setup apparatus. Overall, the results showed that compressed earth blocks presented good mechanical and durability properties. Still, they had some issues in terms of porosity due to the particle size distribution of soil used for their production. The compressive strength value obtained was 9 MPa, which is considerably higher than the minimum requirements for compressed earth blocks. Moreover, they presented a heat transfer coefficient of 2.66 W/(m2·K). This heat transfer coefficient means that this type of masonry unit cannot be used in the building envelope without an additional thermal insulation layer but shows that they are suitable to be used in partition walls. Although CEBs have promising characteristics when compared to conventional bricks, results also showed that their proprieties could even be improved if optimisation of the soil mixture is implemented.
Elisabete Teixeira; Gilberto Machado; Adilson P. Junior; Christiane Guarnier; Jorge Fernandes; Sandra Silva; Ricardo Mateus. Mechanical and Thermal Performance Characterisation of Compressed Earth Blocks. Energies 2020, 13, 2978 .
AMA StyleElisabete Teixeira, Gilberto Machado, Adilson P. Junior, Christiane Guarnier, Jorge Fernandes, Sandra Silva, Ricardo Mateus. Mechanical and Thermal Performance Characterisation of Compressed Earth Blocks. Energies. 2020; 13 (11):2978.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisabete Teixeira; Gilberto Machado; Adilson P. Junior; Christiane Guarnier; Jorge Fernandes; Sandra Silva; Ricardo Mateus. 2020. "Mechanical and Thermal Performance Characterisation of Compressed Earth Blocks." Energies 13, no. 11: 2978.
The increase in global environmental problems requires more environmentally efficient construction. Vernacular passive strategies can play an important role in helping reducing energy use and CO2 emissions related to buildings. This paper studies the use of glazed balconies in the North of Portugal as a strategy to capture solar gains and reduce heat losses. The purpose is understanding thermal performance and comfort conditions provided by this passive heating strategy. The methodology includes objective (short and long-term monitoring), to evaluate the different parameters affecting thermal comfort and air quality, and subjective assessments to assess occupants’ perception regarding thermal sensation. The results show that the use of glazed balconies as a passive heating strategy in a climate with cold winters is viable. During the mid-seasons, the rooms with balcony have adequate comfort conditions. In the heating season, it is possible to achieve comfort conditions in sunny days while in the cooling season there is a risk of overheating. Regarding indoor air quality, carbon dioxide concentrations were low, but the average radon concentration measured was high when the building was unoccupied, rapidly decreasing to acceptable values, during occupation periods when a minimum ventilation rate was promoted. Occupants’ actions were essential to improving building behavior.
Jorge Fernandes; Raphaele Malheiro; Maria De Fátima Castro; Helena Gervásio; Sandra Monteiro Silva; Ricardo Mateus. Thermal Performance and Comfort Condition Analysis in a Vernacular Building with a Glazed Balcony. Energies 2020, 13, 624 .
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Raphaele Malheiro, Maria De Fátima Castro, Helena Gervásio, Sandra Monteiro Silva, Ricardo Mateus. Thermal Performance and Comfort Condition Analysis in a Vernacular Building with a Glazed Balcony. Energies. 2020; 13 (3):624.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Raphaele Malheiro; Maria De Fátima Castro; Helena Gervásio; Sandra Monteiro Silva; Ricardo Mateus. 2020. "Thermal Performance and Comfort Condition Analysis in a Vernacular Building with a Glazed Balcony." Energies 13, no. 3: 624.
In the Portuguese context, the life cycle assessment of building materials is still in its infancy. So far, there is only a small number of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) available, all target for industrially-based materials. Although vernacular earthen materials are seen as ecological materials, with low potential environmental impacts, there are no studies that allow to quantitatively compare these materials with conventional ones, according to the applicable standards. In the case of Portugal, there are no EPDs or studies for these materials and the studies available worldwide are hard to compare, since they not follow the same life-cycle assessment methodology. This paper aims at contributing to a better understanding about the environmental performance of earthen materials by presenting results from the life cycle assessment of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs) and Rammed earth, based on specific life cycle inventory values obtained from a producer company, following the guidance provided by the standard EN15804. Among other conclusions, results show that CEB and Rammed earth have a total Embodied Energy of 3.94 MJ/block and 596 MJ/1 m3 and a Global Warming Potential of 0.39 kg CO2 eq/block and 47.5 kg CO2 eq./1 m3, respectively. In a cradle-to-gate analysis of different walls, the use of earthen building elements can result in reducing the potential environmental impacts in about 50%, when compared to the use of conventional ones. Additionally, the advantages of using earthen materials are also discussed for the different building life-cycle stages, focusing on the possibility to recycle these materials in a closed-loop approach.
Jorge Fernandes; Marco Peixoto; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio. Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 241, 118286 .
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Marco Peixoto, Ricardo Mateus, Helena Gervásio. Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 241 ():118286.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Marco Peixoto; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio. 2019. "Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks." Journal of Cleaner Production 241, no. : 118286.
In Portugal, there is a lack of quantitative studies on the thermal performance of earthen buildings. This paper aims at contributing to this research context by studying site-specific strategies, and the thermal performance and comfort conditions of a rammed earth building located in southern Portugal. The study is based on objective and subjective assessments and consists of assessing the hygrothermal conditions, thermal comfort levels and analysing the occupants’ perception regarding thermal sensation. The results showed that the strategies used are closely related to local conditions, mitigating the effects of high summer temperatures and ensuring a good summer thermal performance by passive means alone. During the summer monitoring, results showed that the building stayed most of the time (80%) in Category I (high level of expectation) and the remaining time in Category II, according to the classification method defined by the standard EN15251. During the winter period, the building had the worst performance, being necessary a heating system to guarantee comfort conditions. Additionally, the results showed that the good thermal performance of the case study depended more on the high thermal inertia than on the U-value of the envelope. Limitations and advantages of the use of earthen construction elements are discussed.
Jorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio; Sandra M. Silva; Luís Bragança. Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance. Renewable Energy 2019, 142, 345 -363.
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Ricardo Mateus, Helena Gervásio, Sandra M. Silva, Luís Bragança. Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance. Renewable Energy. 2019; 142 ():345-363.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio; Sandra M. Silva; Luís Bragança. 2019. "Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance." Renewable Energy 142, no. : 345-363.
Solar passive strategies that have been developed in vernacular architecture from different regions are a response to specific climate effects. These strategies are usually simple, low-tech and have low potential environmental impact. For this reason, several studies highlight them as having potential to reduce the demands of non-renewable energy for buildings operation. In this paper, the climatic contrast between northern and southern parts of mainland Portugal is presented, namely the regions of Beira Alta and Alentejo. Additionally, it discusses the contribution of different climate-responsive strategies developed in vernacular architecture from both regions to assure thermal comfort conditions. In Beira Alta, the use of glazed balconies as a strategy to capture solar gains is usual, while in Alentejo the focus is on passive cooling strategies. To understand the effectiveness of these strategies, thermal performances and comfort conditions of two case studies were evaluated based on the adaptive comfort model. Field tests included measurement of hygrothermal parameters and surveys on occupants’ thermal sensation. From the results, it has been found that the case studies have shown a good thermal performance by passive means alone and that the occupants feel comfortable, except during winter where there is the need to use simple heating systems.
Jorge Fernandes; Carlos Pimenta; Ricardo Mateus; Sandra Monteiro Silva; Luís Bragança. Contribution of Portuguese Vernacular Building Strategies to Indoor Thermal Comfort and Occupants’ Perception. Buildings 2015, 5, 1242 -1264.
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Carlos Pimenta, Ricardo Mateus, Sandra Monteiro Silva, Luís Bragança. Contribution of Portuguese Vernacular Building Strategies to Indoor Thermal Comfort and Occupants’ Perception. Buildings. 2015; 5 (4):1242-1264.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Carlos Pimenta; Ricardo Mateus; Sandra Monteiro Silva; Luís Bragança. 2015. "Contribution of Portuguese Vernacular Building Strategies to Indoor Thermal Comfort and Occupants’ Perception." Buildings 5, no. 4: 1242-1264.
Vernacular architecture is characterized by a type of formal expression, which has been developed in response to a number of factors – geographic, climatic and economic – characterizing the local area or region. Despite the fact that Portugal is a small country, there are many different architectural approaches and a range of techniques have been employed in different regions to mitigate the effects of climate. These vernacular approaches have the potential for further development and could be adapted in response to contemporary needs. In this paper, a range of different passive solar techniques used in Portuguese vernacular architecture to provide comfort is presented. The specific focus is on the effectiveness of passive cooling strategies (namely, high thermal inertia, use of light colours and courtyards), and the findings of a case study in which the thermal performance during the summer of a vernacular residential building located in the south of Portugal are presented.
Jorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Luís Bragança; José Júlio Correia Da Silva. Portuguese vernacular architecture: the contribution of vernacular materials and design approaches for sustainable construction. Architectural Science Review 2014, 58, 324 -336.
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Ricardo Mateus, Luís Bragança, José Júlio Correia Da Silva. Portuguese vernacular architecture: the contribution of vernacular materials and design approaches for sustainable construction. Architectural Science Review. 2014; 58 (4):324-336.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Luís Bragança; José Júlio Correia Da Silva. 2014. "Portuguese vernacular architecture: the contribution of vernacular materials and design approaches for sustainable construction." Architectural Science Review 58, no. 4: 324-336.
J Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Luis Braganca. The potential of vernacular materials to the sustainable building design. Vernacular Heritage and Earthen Architecture 2013, 623 -629.
AMA StyleJ Fernandes, Ricardo Mateus, Luis Braganca. The potential of vernacular materials to the sustainable building design. Vernacular Heritage and Earthen Architecture. 2013; ():623-629.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Luis Braganca. 2013. "The potential of vernacular materials to the sustainable building design." Vernacular Heritage and Earthen Architecture , no. : 623-629.
Jorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio; Sandra Monteiro Silva; Luís Bragança. The importance of vernacular strategies for a climate responsive building design. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleJorge Fernandes, Ricardo Mateus, Helena Gervásio, Sandra Monteiro Silva, Luís Bragança. The importance of vernacular strategies for a climate responsive building design. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Fernandes; Ricardo Mateus; Helena Gervásio; Sandra Monteiro Silva; Luís Bragança. 2021. "The importance of vernacular strategies for a climate responsive building design." , no. : 1.