Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1632

Energy and thermal load analysis of exposed brick houses on the coast

by Hermawan Hermawan, Jozef Svajlenka, Elina Mohd Husini, Dwi Aryanto, Annisa Nabila Arrizqi

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.3, 2025;

Energy conservation is an issue that is still being discussed in the architectural realm to create zero-net energy buildings. Buildings are considered to be significant contributors to energy waste, so they are a concern for experts in energy conservation issues. Buildings in hot areas require large amounts of energy in building operations. One of the hot areas is the coastal area. Residential houses on the coast of Indonesia use exposed brick materials. Energy use for buildings with exposed brick walls must be studied to create energy-efficient coastal buildings. The study aims to reveal the energy use and thermal load of residential houses with exposed brick walls on the coast. The study uses a simulation method using the Revit application. Data is obtained from a combination of field data and the Revit application. The analysis uses energy use analysis and cooling load analysis. Energy use analysis includes building performance factors, energy use intensity, life cycle energy use/cost, renewable energy potential, annual carbon emissions, and annual energy use/cost. The study results show that the energy use of residential houses in Demak is more significant than in Jepara. The characteristic of Demak, which has a higher air temperature than Jepara, is the main factor causing substantial energy use. Another condition is the architectural elements in each house that affect the thermal load on the building. The main findings obtained are that high air temperatures influence significant energy use. The shape of the building and ventilation elements of houses in Demak increase the air temperature in the room compared to houses in Jepara. Recommendations that need to be made are that when making a house, it needs to be designed to suit environmental conditions. The values of local wisdom in an area need to be maintained to increase the architectural value by providing thermal comfort for its occupants.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 3076

Reimagining public spaces for a new generation: Gender mainstreaming and inclusive design in future urban landscapes

by Kiara Rampaul

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Public spaces are increasingly shaped by intersecting global challenges, including demographic shifts, technological integration, climate resilience, and social equity. Yet traditional design frameworks often overlook the lived experiences of women, youth, the elderly, and other marginalized groups. This paper addresses a critical research gap by proposing an inclusive public space design model that integrates gender mainstreaming and intergenerational needs into building engineering and spatial planning practices. Drawing on international policy frameworks and empirical case studies from Vienna, Zurich, Luxembourg, and South Africa, the paper outlines a context-sensitive, adaptable model emphasizing safety, digital engagement, social cohesion, and environmental resilience. Evaluative evidence from post-occupancy studies and participatory planning outcomes demonstrates the effectiveness of inclusive approaches. The study contributes a forward-thinking framework that can inform both policy and practice in rapidly urbanizing, socially diverse settings.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2196

Benefiting from smart materials in the shell of desert buildings in order to control the thermal conductivity of interior spaces

by Mohammadmehdi Moulaii, Arezoo Lotfi, Hadi RezaeiRad

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Integrating smart materials into the building envelopes of desert architecture offers a promising solution for optimizing thermal regulation and reducing energy consumption. Traditional Iranian architecture has long adapted to extreme climatic conditions through passive design strategies and indigenous materials such as adobe, fired brick, and stone. However, contemporary construction demands necessitate advanced materials with higher thermal inertia, adaptability, and energy efficiency. This study explores the application of high-performance smart materials, including BetoShell, AnnanoMirror, SmartWrap, Electrochromic and Thermochromic glazing, and vacuum insulation panels (VIPS), in the façades of desert buildings to mitigate heat transfer and enhance sustainability. Descriptive-analytical envelopes can reduce thermal conductivity, optimize solar gain, and enhance passive cooling strategies, thereby improving occupant comfort while significantly lowering energy demand in arid climates. This research methodology was adopted, utilizing qualitative content analysis, experimental performance data, computational modeling, and case studies to assess material efficiency. Findings indicate that incorporating these responsive materials in building highlights the pivotal role of smart façades and kinetic materials in advancing the principles of climate-responsive and sustainable architecture.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2131

Living room arch engineering design: Structural, aesthetic, and construction analysis

by Abubakar Ahmad Rabiu

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

This study investigated the structural performance and durability of a living room arch design (more-than-half-cycle design) by evaluating its material properties, mechanical properties, safety, and load-bearing behavior. The materials used for the arch construction, including reinforced concrete and wood composites, were tested for density, tensile strength, and compressive strength. Mechanical tests assessed load distribution, deflection under various loads, and resilience. Safety analysis included stability checks under different loading conditions, including static, dynamic, and lateral forces. To simulate long-term performance, the arch underwent accelerated aging tests to evaluate material fatigue and deformation over time. The results showed that the selected materials exhibited high compressive strength and durability, ensuring adequate safety margins under all tested conditions. However, slight deflections were observed under peak loading scenarios. Overall, the arch demonstrated excellent stability, uniform load distribution, and minimal material degradation over time. These findings highlight the robustness of the design and its potential application in modern living spaces.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1653

Effects of structural irregularities on the seismic response of a steel structure

by Joshua Omer, Zoe Almazan

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Steel structures are commonly used for buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and versatility. However, the dynamic response of steel structures can be affected by irregularities such as variation in mass, elevation, stiffness, and plan geometry. Therefore, analysis of structural irregularities is important and allows the structural designer to maximize the efficiency of structures in resisting seismic and other dynamic actions. This paper presents a review of the existing methods of analysis of the effects of structural irregularities on the dynamic response of low to medium-high-rise steel buildings. Methods that are used with Eurocode 8 (BS EN 1998:2004) design procedure are discussed. Also, reviewed are the provisions of Eurocode 8, regarding structural irregularity in design, including discussion of the effects of irregularity in mass, elevation, stiffness, and plan. To quantify and compare the effects of different irregularities, SCIA finite element program is used to analyze dynamic response of hypothetical structures with and without irregularities. The computed results of salient deformations and stresses in the structures are compared and discussed, including reference to other researchers’ findings. Finally, the implications of various structural irregularities on analysis and design of steel structures are also discussed. The novelty of this research is that it analyses the dynamic response of a predefined structural model, for four types of structural irregularity simultaneously, based on the same control parameters and computational method. Also, even though the use of a building may change at some time, current literature on seismic vulnerability does not adequately address the impact of unexpected changes in mass distribution, but this research does. The findings may help engineers in optimizing design of irregular structures to enhance seismic performance, mitigate risks of seismic damage and promote consistency in design and construction of earthquake resistant structures.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2207

CFD-based comparative simulation analysis of flow field under different natural ventilation boundary conditions in the room

by Yuanyuan Fu, Bin Zhao

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

In order to achieve reasonable indoor layout design, reduce building energy consumption and better meet human body thermal comfort requirements, flow fields under different natural ventilation conditions are compared based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in this paper. Firstly, a theoretical model of the indoor flow field under six different ventilation conditions is constructed, and boundary conditions, wall functions and meshing structure are confirmed. Simulation analysis is carried out for six different working conditions. Through comparative analysis, it is concluded the window opening location should be located in the center, and the direct airflow through the convection field is evenly distributed, and the direct airflow is conducive to the improvement of indoor cleanliness. In addition, when organizing natural ventilation, the window orientation is inclined to the dominant wind direction in summer by about 45° angles, it can improve the ventilation effect. And by analyzing temperature contours, 45° angles can better meet people’s needs about temperature: 18 ℃–26 ℃. When temperature contours’ temperature is above people’s comfortable temperature in specific rooms or places, mechanical ventilation and evaporative cooling can be combined. Research results can not only significantly improve the quality of living and working environments, but also help promote the development of green buildings and achieve energy-saving and emission reduction goals.