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Innovation& ResearchIssue No. 78 Also at www.innovationandresearchfocus.org.uk August 2009

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

IN THIS ISSUE

BuildingsLow-impact buildings 3Tackling carbon emission reduction 7Thermal & moisture performanceof cavities 6Vacuum insulation 4

CarbonCarbon emission reduction 7Vacuum Insulation 4

CladdingThermal & moisture performance 6

Coastal engineeringFlushing of marinas & water quality 8

DrainageUrban flood risks in the UK 2

Construction FuturesInnovate to Survive conference 2010 6

EnergyMidnight switch off on motorways 5Vacuum Insulation 4

EnvironmentLow-impact buildings 3

Flood risk managementUrban flood risks in the UK 2

HighwaysMidnight switch off on motorways 5

Research & DevelopmentProposals sought by ICE’s R&D Fund 2RAE & Civil Engineering 4

Water QualityFlushing of marinas & water quality 8

www.innovationandresearchfocus.org.uk Innovation & Research Focus Issue 78 AUGUST 2009 1

The Buncefield explosion mechanismThe explosion at the Buncefield Tank Farm in Hertfordshire (11 December 2005) result-ed in tremendous damage to the outlying area. The explosion occurred when a largevapour cloud covering an area estimated to be around 120,000 square metres ignited.

SCI project managed a study jointlyfunded by the UK Petroleum IndustryAssociation (UKPIA), the Health and

Safety Executive, the Ministry of Housing ofthe Environment and Spatial Planning (TheNetherlands), StatoilHydro and the EnergyInstitute. The UK Ministry of Defence andBP provided in-kind support.

Careful examination of data available fromthe incident site enabled the explosion sourceterms and characteristics to be inferred. Theresearch found that the pressure generated bythe explosion was consistently high (at least200 kPa) everywhere within the area coveredby the vapour cloud, with no distinction be-tween different terrain (car parks, tank farms,open grassland and belts of trees).

Overpressure diminished rapidly with dis-tance away from the edge of the cloud; evi-dence suggests overpressures in the region of5-10 kPa within about 150m. Another dis-tinctive feature was the direction of net im-pulse; within the cloud this acted in theopposite direction to the direction of propaga-tion of the explosion whereas outside thecloud it acted in the direction of propagationof the explosion.

The project attempted to explain the ex-

plosion event using deflagration, detonationor a combination of both. It also examinedother possible means of flame acceleration.The work found that the most likely scenariocan be summarised as follows:

• dense vapour dispersion in very low windspeed conditions leading to a cloud build-up over an area of around 120,000m2;

• ignition at the emergency pump house;failure of the pump house structure fol-lowed by a deflagration outside the pumphouse and flame propagation to the un-dergrowth and trees;

• flame acceleration in the undergrowthand trees up to flame velocities to severalhundred metres per second followed by atransition to detonation;

• detonation of part of the remaining gascloud.

The full project report is available from theFire & Blast Information Group atwww.fabig.com.

For further information pleasecontact Bassam Burgan at SCI(01344 63652;E-mail [email protected]).

The fire at Buncefield was still burning three days after the explosion (main photo from Venables Consultancy)

SAM is a step change in the approach tothe management of drainage systems,in that the consequences of any flood-

ing that takes place can now be directlylinked to the behaviour of the drainage sys-tem. The method is appropriate for lookingat the resilience of society because it takesinto account all types of events, not just aspecific size of storm.

The UK Summer 2007 storms provide onerecent reminder of how exceedance of ourdrainage systems’ level of service is a signifi-cant risk to the actual functioning of society.The problem is not simply the floods them-selves, but the threat they pose to to both in-frastructure assets (such as power stationsand water treatment works such – e.g. in 2007Walham Power Station and Castlemeads Sub-station near Cheltenham, and TewkesburyWater Treatment Works) as well as residen-tial areas.

The arrival of LiDAR (topography sens-ing) and flood routing tools now enables theimpacts of flooding to be directly linked tothe performance of the network. In addition,results from the water industry’s researchinto pipe failure have been incorporated intothe procedure.

The SAM risk-based procedure estab-lishes the EAD (Expected Annual Damage –relating to flood damage consequences toproperty) based on running all system ‘loads’(rainfall, river level, etc) on all possible sys-tem states (including failure of pipes, pumpsetc). Importantly this gives predictive infor-mation for direct decision-making that is in-tegral to the management of society’s assets.

The project has addressed many of the

limitations of current day practices, includ-ing:

• the need to provide a true integrated ap-proach to drainage analysis, both techni-cally and institutionally;

• the problem of using uniform rainfall overlarge catchments;

• the current lack of explicit considerationof the impact of flooding on people andproperty in the assessment and manage-ment of drainage systems;

• the fact that the structural condition of thedrainage system is not incorporated in pre-sent assessments; and

• the current approach only considering ex-plicit levels of service rather than all pos-sible events.

The SAM procedure is based on three linkedpackages: (1) a drainage network system (In-foworks CS), (2) a routing module (RFSM)and (3) a damage calculation module. Thesethree modules are controlled by a separatemodule (the risk shell) which calculates theExpected Annual Damage (EAD) for each Im-pact Zone and attributes the damage to theassets. The drainage engineer can now com-pute the EAD across the catchment and eas-ily assess the cost-benefit of any proposedscheme.

The project also produced sets of tools, in-cluding: a rainfall generator (incorporatingspatial variance), a database (to deal with-massive amounts of high resolution spatialrainfall data), and a rainfall evaluationprocessor.

HR Wallingford led the SAM Project incollaboration with the Environment Agency,

Met Office, UK Water Industry Research,three water plcs, two main consultants andthree universities.

For further information about the project andteam, contact Richard Kellagher, TechnicalDirector, HRWallingford (01491 822419;E-mail: [email protected]).

DRAINAGE & FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT

SAM: a new system for analysing and managingurban flood risks in UK towns and citiesFormally launched earlier this year, the SAM Procedure enables drainage systems to be analysed using a risk-basedapproach that is applied to whole systems and measures the impact of flooding on the community. This is a radical changefrom current best practice used by drainage authorities, and drainage contractors, where drainage system assessment issimply based on hydraulic performance of the drainage system.

The consequences of flooding are fundamental to drainage design and management(Image courtesy of the Environment Agency. Photographer: www.petersmith.com)

2 Innovation & Research Focus Issue 78 AUGUST 2009 www.innovationandresearchfocus.org.uk

RESEARCH &DEVELOPMENT

ICEʼs R & DEnabling Fundseeks newproposalsThe Institution of Civil EngineersʼResearch and Development EnablingFund forms part of a portfolio of charita-ble activity undertaken by theInstitution. The Fund, which receives itsincome through voluntary donations byICE members, aims to promote thetechnical development of civil engineer-ing and tackle problems in design orconstruction identified by practitioners.

The purpose of the Fund is primarily toenable research projects to get underway, rather than to fund research pro-

jects in their entirety. Individuals and organ-isations may apply for an R&D grant (up to£25,000) during the twice-yearly applicationperiods. Each application is passed to two in-dependent external assessors, who are ex-perts in their field, after which a board ofTrustees meet to make the final decision attheir bi-annual meeting.

Submissions generally fall into five cate-gories: historical projects; highly technical orniche projects; projects that help further in-form, understand or scope the industry;guidance and best practice work; and en-abling research projects that are opportunis-tic or provide added value.

To view R&D case studies please go tohttp://www.ice.org.uk/knowledge/knowl-edge_rand_fund_case_studies.asp.

To receive a set of guidelines and applicationform, contact Alison Brown (0207 665 2231;E-mail [email protected]).

TeceWall (Thermal Efficient CostEffectiveWall)will provide low-cost exter-nal wall construction that meets the perfor-mance requirements necessary for Level 6new buildings under the Code for SustainableHomes, with flexibility in design, appearanceand buildability. The system will be:

• airtight;• as thin as possible (because of land take);• cost efficient;• highly insulated;• able to integrate with services;• perform satisfactorily acoustically;• fire and impact resistant;• have an acceptable appearance; and• meet the requirements for future climate

change.

Project Partners are H+H UK Limited (lead),Bovis Homes Ltd, Ibstock Brick Limited,Minett Group Limited, and Gaunt FrancisArchitects.

The STARTLINK lightweight buildingsystem consortium will develop energy-effi-

cient, low-cost housing that is rapid to buildby developing a family of lightweight pul-truded composite fire-resistant profiles to-gether with innovative, labour-savingassembly techniques.

Project Partners are Fibreforce Ltd (t/aExel Composites UK) (lead), LarkfleetHomes Ltd, OCS Structural Plastics Ltd,John Hutchinson (Architect), Costain GroupPlc, and the University of Warwick.

The ImprovedProcesses andMateri-als for Energy SavingGlazing(PROMISE) project will develop new im-proved ‘low E’ coatings coupled with more-ef-ficient, cost-effective processes to fabricatethem. Low emissivity glass, sometimesknown as ‘low E’ or ‘low energy glass’, isplaying an increasingly significant role inbuilding energy efficiency. The key feature ofthis glass technology is a thin coating with arefractive index chosen to enhance the cap-ture of solar energy and reduce heat lossfrom within the building.

Project Partners are SAFC Hitech Ltd

(lead), Pilkington Technology ManagementLimited, and the University of Liverpool.

The Sustainable housing fromSitkaspruce (The Shss House)project is to take forward the results ofprevious basic research and overcome thetechnical barriers and economic challenges inthe development of Sitka spruce in anintegrated whole house system for low-carbon, affordable housing. This will promotethe conversion of a high-volume, low-valuecrop into a high-value, low-carbon wholebuilding system that is low cost, high-utilityand sustainable.

Project Partners are Coed Cymru, Pontri-las Group Packaging Limited, Kenton JonesLtd, Grwp Gwalia.

Further competitionsThe TSB is also currently running three fur-ther competitions to find new technologies thatwill cut the environmental impact of buildings,and is aiming to invest a further £24 million.

Retrofit for the Future, announced by thePrime Minister in January, invites proposalsfor suppliers to design and install innovativetechnology that will improve the energy effi-ciency and environmental performance of theUK’s current social housing stock.

Design and Decision Tools plans to help im-prove the design of low-impact buildingsthough more effective and usable tools foruse at every stage of the design process.

Monitoring of Demonstrator Buildings willenable companies constructing demonstratorbuildings to apply for funding to monitorbuilding performance, enabling comparisonwith predicted performance.

The TSB’s support for the development ofbuildings with a lower environmental impactrecognises the potential commercial opportu-nity that more-sustainable buildings deliverboth in the UK and overseas. The new buildmarket in the UK alone is currently worthabout £50 billion a year. But over 80% of thebuildings we will be using in 2050 have al-ready been built.

For further information contact theTechnology Strategy Board, North StarHouse, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN21JF.(01793 442700; E-Mail:[email protected]; or visit:http://www.innovateuk.org/ourstrategy/inno-vationplatforms/lowimpactbuilding.ashx).


BUILDINGS & ENVIRONMENT

Low-impact buildings platform gathers paceThe Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has announced investment in six innovative new research projects, worth£6 million. The projects have been selected from bids made to the TSBʼs competition for components and materials, part ofthe Low-impact Buildings Innovation Platform. The Technology Strategy Board is investing £3 million to support the six pro-jects and, taking into account contributions from the companies involved, the total value of the new research will be over £6million. Four of the new projects are described below.

Green Futures – Barratt are building the UK’s first zero carbon development, meeting Level 6 of theCode for Sustainable Homes, at Hanham Hall near Bristol. Photo courtesy of Barratt Developments plc.

RESEARCH, INNOVATION & MANAGEMENT

Top of the class: RAE and civil engineeringFor a sector that is frequently criticised for its low level of interest in research and innovation, the Engineering & TechnologyBoard analysis of the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) provides much comfort for civil engineering departments.


The clay and concrete masonry sector isfamiliar with thermal insulation, in-stalled within cavities, or applied inter-

nally or externally on solid walls. The use ofaerated concrete blocks also provides a com-ponent of thermal performance. However, re-duction in U values through the BuildingRegulations requires greater use of fibrousand foam insulation products.

Commodity insulation productsare mostly made by companies withseparate ownerships to brick andblock manufacturers. There tendsto be no vertical integration. The in-sulation manufacturers have lob-bied government to reduce U valuesto between 0.2 and 0.1 W/m2K forecological reasons, doubling ortripling the thickness of insulationrequired. The attempt at energy ef-ficiency through greater insulationthickness ignores the whole wall orenvelope system, which struggles towork technically, or becomes com-mercially less attractive.

Masonry walls are forced abovethe familiar 300mm towards500mm thicknesses. Commodity products ofclay and concrete can be built into wider wall

constructions, and bigger wall ties, lintels,windows and doors can be developed to achievethe greater ‘eco-thickness’.

However, there is an alternative. Construc-tion insulation has been a “cut-to-fit” materialthat works by trapping air. If the air is par-tially removed insulation performance can beimproved by a factor of 10, requiring a tenth ofthe thickness. Vacuum insulation is availablein the refrigeration sector, advanced throughthe International Vacuum Insulation Sympo-

sium to be held on 17 & 18 Sep-tember – see www.ivisnet.org.

Ian Abley has initially con-centrated on developing a net-work to produce long life“made-to-fit” prefabricated in-sulation for the masonrysector. The EngD will developcost-effective wall systemswith a “modular - thinness” ofless than 300mm at U valuesdown to 0.1 W/m2K.

For furtherinformationplease contactIan Abley(07947 621 790;

E-mail: [email protected]: or visitwww.lboro.ac.uk/cice).

BUILDINGS & ENERGY

In the 2008 RAE there were 2,344 submis-sions from 156 HEIs, embracing the workof 50,000 researchers, and 200,000 as-

sessed pieces of work. Using a scale of 0-4(see box), unclassified to world leading interms of originality, significance and rigour,civil engineering topped the table with chem-ical engineering at 71%.

In civil engineering 18% of research activ-ity was deemed world leading, and a further53% internationally excellent. It was the 53%that gave it the edge over other disciplines.

Using a bibliometric method for citations toUK papers, the UK came 4th overall behindUS, Germany and Japan, a position it hasbeen in for many years. In this area the mostobvious, and predictable, development hasbeen the increasing prominence of Chinesepapers, and relative decline in US papers.These two measures collectively have ensuredthat STEM (Science, Technology, Engineeringand Mathematics) continue to attract govern-ment funding. How that is allocated acrossdisciplines remains a challenge.

For further information please visitwww.etechb.co.uk.

Quality Rating scale used in the Re-search Assessment Exercise

Level 4 Quality that is world-leading interms of originality, significance and rigour.Level 3 Quality that is internationally ex-cellent in terms of originality, significanceand rigour but which nonetheless falls shortof the highest standards of excellence.Level 2 Quality that is recognised interna-tionally in terms of originality, significanceand rigour.Level 1 Quality that is recognised nation-ally in terms of originality, significance andrigour.Unclassified Quality that falls below thestandard of nationally recognised work. Orwork that does not meet the published defi-nition of research for the purposes of thisassessment.

Vacuum insulation as an alternative to ʻeco-thicknessʼThe Modern Masonry Alliance (www.modernmasonry.co.uk) sponsors Ian Abley on an Engineering Doctorate at the Centrefor Innovative and Collaborative Engineering at Loughborough University. To be completed in 2011, the theme of his studiesis ʻThe future for masonry construction in Britain and the role of vacuum insulation technologyʼ.

HIGHWAYS, ENERGY & SAFETY

Lighting of motorways has traditionallybeen justified as a measure to improveroad safety, but the Agency’s latest as-

sessment shows that it reduces night-time in-cidents on motorway links by up to 10 percent; rather than the 30 per cent assumed todate. There is also some suggestion that infree flow conditions, lighting the road encour-ages driving at higher speeds, leading to in-creased accident severity.

The Agency has therefore revised theirroad lighting standards and guidance inNovember 2007, to ensure that we only in-stall or replace road lighting where thesafety benefit justifies the cost, represent-ing value for tax-payers’ money and aboveall, maintaining the safety of our roads.

As part of their Sustainable DevelopmentAction Plan, the Highways Agency has beeninvestigating how they can make the lightingalready installed on the network more envi-ronmentally friendly. Their work shows thatsignificant reductions in carbon dioxide emis-sions (around 40 per cent) are achievable byturning road lighting off when traffic flows arevery low; typically from midnight until around5am. Developments in technology mean thatby adding improved operational control, light-ing can be more cost-efficient. This deliversbenefits from reduced environmental impactin a time of steeply rising energy costs, with-out a significant impact on safety.

Agency action on this issue?They have identified six sites in the south ofEngland where they can demonstrate and

evaluate the switch-off of road lighting be-tween midnight and 5am, seeking locationswith low overnight flows and a good safetyrecord; confirming that safety remains theAgency’s highest priority. With all six sites‘live’, and the lighting automatically switch-ing off between 12am and 5am each night,the Midnight Switch-Off Project should saveapproximately 600 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Each site is split into sections, with alllighting columns in a section powered from asingle ‘feeder pillar’. These feeder pillars arethe key component of the system, cuttingpower to the lighting columns between 12amand 5am. Each feeder pillar also enables re-mote access over GSM/GPRS (Global Systemfor Mobile communications/General PacketRadio Service) – when needed the Agency can‘dial in’ to each pillar and adjust its operation.

Should an incident occur within a switch-offsite, or there is a need for road maintenance,operators in regional control centres are able to

access the system over the web. At a push of abutton they are able to order the system to‘phone’ each feeder pillar and instruct the sys-tem to switch the lighting back on immediately.

Moving ForwardThe Highways Agency work will continueafter the six sites go live as they will movefrom trial into operations. They will be moni-toring data and information over the nextyear from the six sites to assess the successof the Midnight Switch-Off Project. Thesewill include looking at:

• how long the lights have actually beenswitched off for, allowing the agency to:• assess the actual carbon and cost sav-

ings accurately; and• monitor what events most frequently

result in switching the lights back on;• the accident rates during the switch-off pe-

riod;• the vehicle flow rates and average speeds.

With the Government’s Kyoto commitment tothe 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010(based on 1990 levels), the Midnight Switch OffProject forms an important part of the High-ways Agency’s work and directly contributes to-wards our Public Service Agreements.

For furtherinformation pleasecontact Nick Fairfax-Francklin (E-mail:[email protected]) orfor further information on motorway lighting,please visit www.highways.gov.uk/lighting.


Midnight switch-off: setting a sustainable standardAlthough less than one third of our motorway network is lit, road lighting is the largest contributor to the Highways Agencyʼscarbon footprint. The Agency and Mott Macdonald are switching off motorway lighting at six sites between midnight and5am, when the roads are at their quietest.

Trial site M5 Jct 29-30

It is known that vehicle-generated dust hasadverse impacts on the health of individuals(especially children), the safety of road

users, agricultural production, the localenvironment and the cost-effectiveness of thegravel road material. Traditionally, traffic-generated dust has been regarded only as atransport-related problem. Research isrequired to quantify these impacts so thatthey can be included in investment models,and this will need collaboration betweenexperts in transport, health, agriculture andthe environment.

DFID, in co-operation with the WorldBank, has commenced a research programmethat will investigate this problem and produceby December 2010 evidence to quantify the

effects of this dust. The programme willidentify the various impacts of vehicle-generated dust on road users and quantify thebenefits from the amelioration of dust impactswhilst assessing the availability of evidence toquantify the costs associated with dust

impacts and amelioration in monetary terms.In addition it is intended to develop an

outline methodology for determining the costsassociated with vehicle-generated dust and thebenefits from its reduction, in order to producerecommendations for using the results ininvestment evaluation of road projects. It ishoped that this will facilitate the use of cost-effective upgrading options aimed at improv-ing safe, sustainable and environmentallyfriendly village, rural and urban access roadsfor poor communities, and to influence fundersand practitioners to take up the findings.

For further information please contact PeterO’Neill at the World Bank ([email protected]).

TRANSPORT & ENVIRONMENT

DFID & World Bank quantifying road dust effectsIn many developing countries, roads through villages remain unsealed, and vehicle-generated dust is a constant part of thelives of many villagers for much of the year. Dust is one of the main reasons given by rural dwellers for the sealing of ruralroads, particularly roads through villages. There is also anecdotal evidence in South Africa of the increased mortality rates ofyoung livestock from traffic-generated dust.

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The CWCT has re-cently published aTechnical Note

(TN69) on the use of aircavities within building en-velopes which gives guid-ance on calculationmethods and advice on op-timising cavity perfor-mance, both in terms of thethermal and moisture is-sues.

There are two mainsources of moisture thathave to be considered whendesigning a wall. These arewater from the external en-vironment and that withinthe building. Rainwater isthe usual external source,although it may also in-clude the diffusion of mois-ture from a wet surface,and moisture vapour diffu-sion. In temperate climatessuch as that in the UK, theair within the building usu-ally contains more moisture than the outsideair and the moisture vapour will tend to mi-grate outwards through the construction.

Air cavities may be classified according toa number of different factors including the

position of the cavity in relation to the maininsulation layer, and the size of the openingsbetween the cavity and the external environ-ment. BS 5250 and BS EN ISO 6946 give fur-ther details.

These variables havean impact on both thethermal performance andthe ventilation capacityof the construction. Ingeneral, the higher thelevel of ventilation in thecavity, the lower thethermal resistance willbe. In forms of construc-tion where the cavity isto the cold side of themain insulation layer,this reduction in thethermal performancemay be negligible. If,however, the cavity is sit-uated to the warm side ofthe main insulationlayer, then this affectmay be very significant.It is vital for that theseissues are understoodfully in order that thewall functions as in-tended.

For further information please contactBrenda Apted, Centre for Window &Cladding Technology, University of Bath(01225 38650; E-mail: [email protected]).


Thermal and moisture performance of cavitiesin building envelopesThe use of air cavities in wall construction is commonplace and, although standard details exist for traditional forms of con-struction, the use of cavities in systemised building envelopes is commonly misunderstood. As well as providing a morerobust design, air cavities may also provide an improvement in thermal performance as they increase the overall thermalresistance of the wall and provide a means of removing moisture from the wall, through drainage and/or ventilation. Typicalexamples are the cavities in a rainscreen system or a brick or block wall.

BUILDINGS & CLADDING

CONSTRUCTION FUTURES & CLIMATE CHANGE

Innovate to Survive – Engineers for a One PlanetFuture – 28th & 29th June 2010In June 2010, the ICE will be holding a flagship event designed to highlight how innovation in civil engineering design andconstruction can underpin the challenges of a low carbon future. The event is sponsored by the ICE Innovation & ResearchPanel and ICE is currently putting together a high profile speaker programme.

Construction detail and temperature distribution through a systemised building envelope con-taining cavities (both sides of the insulation panel).

BUILDINGS & CARBON


Tackling carbon emission reduction: adaptivebehaviour of thermal comfort in buildingsThe UK aims to reduce carbon emissions 20% by 2010 and by 80% by 2050 compared by 1990 levels. Up to 40% of theUKʼs total energy consumption is attributed to buildings. Human thermal comfort, the sensation of feeling satisfied with thesurrounding environment, is affected by the indoor thermal environment of a building and, in terms of space heating andcooling, is responsible for a majority of a buildingʼs energy consumption. China is a facing similar problem and has respond-ed to the need to reduce carbon emissions by setting a target of a 50% reduction in the building sector alone. In order forboth the UK and China to achieve their targets, new methods of reducing a buildingʼs energy consumption, and ultimatelymaking buildings sustainable, must be identified.

Dr Runming Yao,a lecturer of theSchool of Con-

struction Manage-ment andEngineering at theUniversity of Read-ing, has been engagedsince 2002 in an inno-vative collaborationin Education and Re-search in the Sustain-able BuiltEnvironment betweenthe EU and China,and in particular theUK and China,. Incollaboration withProfessor KoenSteemers, Director ofthe Martin Centre forArchitectural andUrban Studies at theUniversity of Cam-bridge, Dr Yao has ac-tively initiated andcompleted a numberof joint research pro-jects with Chinafunded by the UKForeign and Com-monwealth Office, theEuropean Commis-sion Asia Link andEPSRC. Dr Yao wasalso a recipient of aChina Study Awardfrom the British Council which enabled herto work on the feasibility of joint researchinto ‘Climate Change and Eco-Building De-sign in China’.

Dr Yao’s research on sustainable buildingand the urban environment has recentlybeen recognised by The Royal Academy ofEngineering. The Research Exchange withChina and India Programme encourages en-gineering researchers at UK higher educa-tion institutions to establish networks withresearchers in China and India. Dr Yao willtravel to China and collaborate with Profes-sor Jie Zheng at Chongqing University tocontinue research into the impact of humanbehaviour according to indoor thermal envi-ronment on building energy consumptionsand on the development of intelligent controlsystem.

The interaction between a building’s envi-ronment and the occupants can be studied by

analysing physiological and psychologicalmarkers. Dr Yao has already completed afield study of adaptive thermal comfort atChongqing University and determined thelevel of human thermal comfort during a typ-ical hot summer and cold winter in China.The results demonstrated that a person’sperception of thermal comfort is not a fixedcondition but instead depends on both physi-ological and non-physiological factors, in par-ticular, in free running buildings. If effectiveadaptive opportunities were made available,occupants could achieve or improve theirthermal comfort in terms of their psychologi-cal and behavioural adaptation.

Based on this research, a new adaptivePredict Mean Vote (aPMV) model using the“Black Box” method was developed. Thismodel will explore the relationship betweenthe findings from traditional laboratory stud-ies and the field studies. Modelling of human

adaptive behaviourin response to theindoor thermal envi-ronment will enablethe development ofan intelligent con-trol system that willsupply optimumstrategies to the Fa-cilities ManagementControl system. Theintelligent controlsystem will be ableto maintain and con-trol a building’s cli-mate in order tosatisfy the occu-pants’ requirementsand ultimately willresult in the optimi-sation of a building’sperformance in re-gards to its total en-ergy consumption.

The ExchangeProgramme will en-able Dr Yao to con-tinue her researchby conducting a lab-oratory experimen-tal study on thephysiological bal-ance of the humanbody at ChongqingUniversity andthese results will beanalysed in conjunc-

tion with the findings of a study on behav-ioural actions due to psychological reactionsat the University of Reading. The researchcollaboration between the universities willsupply fundamental knowledge and informfuture building regulations and/or standardsin the context of indoor thermal environmentand energy effectiveness in buildings. Theguidance of dynamic and intelligent controlof heating ventilation and air conditioningsystems based on the dynamic behaviour ofhumans will lead to the energy efficient de-sign and effective management of buildingsin terms of building sustainability.

For further information please contact DrRunming Yao, School of ConstructionManagement and Engineering, theUniversity of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box219, Reading, RG6 6AW, UK. (01183788606;E-mail: [email protected]).

Determining thermal comfort by physiological and psychological testing.


COASTAL ENGINEERING & WATER QUALITYSPONSORING ORGANISATIONSGOVERNMENTDepartment for Business,Innovation & SkillsConstruction Sector UnitBay UG87, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET020 7215 0826Website: www.berr.gov.ukE-mail: [email protected] for InternationalDevelopment1 Palace St, London SW1E 5HE(020 7023 7000; fax: 020 7023 0072)Website: www.dfid.gov.ukE-mail: [email protected]

Highways Agency5th Floor, 123 Buckingham Palace Road,London SW1 9HAWebsite: www.highways.gov.uk.Email [email protected].

RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS

Centre for Innovative and CollaborativeEngineering (CICE)Loughborough University, Loughborough,LE11 3TU (01509 228549; fax: 01509 223982)Website: www.cice.org.ukE-mail: [email protected] for Window and CladdingTechnologyUniversity of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath,BA2 7AY (01225 386541; fax: 01225 386556)Website: www.cwct.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Concrete CentreRiverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park, StationApproach, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9ABTCC: 01276 608700; E-mail:[email protected]: www.concretecentre.comHR Wallingford LtdWallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BA(01491 835381; fax: 01491 832233)Website: www.hrwallingford.co.ukE-mail: [email protected] Steel Construction InstituteSilwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7QN(01344 636525; fax: 01344 636570)Website: www.steel-sci.orgE-mail: [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Institution of Civil Engineers1 Great George Street, Westminster, London, SW1P3AA (020 7222 7722; fax: 020 7222 7500)Website: www.ice.org.ukE-mail: [email protected] of Structural Engineers11 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1X 8BH(020 7235 4535; fax: 020 7235 4294)Website: www.istructe.org.ukE-mail: [email protected] Academy of Engineering3 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DG(020 7766 0600; fax 020 7930 1549)website: www.raeng.org.ukE-mail: [email protected]

INDUSTRYGeotechnical Consulting GroupMott MacDonald Group LtdPick Everard

There are several different ways of definingflushing, and a number of published rec-ommended flushing times or rates to

maintain good water quality. HR Wallingfordnow recommends that the recent PIANC guide-lines for assessing flushing of marinas andother small basins or embayments are used forall studies. These guidelines include assessmentof average marina flushing, spatial variationsacross marinas, and whether changes to marinadesign could mitigate poor mixing. HR Walling-ford has demonstrated how these guidelines canbe interpreted in terms of water quality.

Numerical modelling to assess marinaflushing is recommended. Desk studies giveless comprehensive evaluations, and shouldonly be carried out at the early stages of theplanning of developments.

Assessment of the influence of marinashape can be carried out at early stages byconsidering plan form areas, radii of curva-ture of marina perimeters and relative sizes

of marina entrances. A key aim of design is tooptimise all these factors to ensure good mix-ing within marinas. This information can alsobe used to advise on modifications to designsafter initial testing in numerical models.

Full water-quality modelling studiesshould only be required where significantrisks of water quality problems are known orexpected. In addition, they should only be car-ried out where comprehensive data sets onwater quality are available. Indicative waterquality modelling can be carried out to illus-trate the consequence of poor flushing whereadequate data sets are unavailable, but thelimitations of this approach need to be under-stood by marina designers/operators.

For further information please contactElfed Jones, Principal Scientist,Hydrodynamics & Metocean Group, HRWallingford Ltd., (01491 822280; E-mail:[email protected]).

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Flushing of marinas:implications for water qualityPoor marina water quality can detract from high value waterfront developmentsand yacht mooring areas. The occurrence of poor water quality conditions can beprevented by ensuring adequate flushing rates. HR Wallingford often undertakesprojects to assess the flushing of marinas and other artificial semi-enclosedembayments, in the UK, the Middle East, and elsewhere around the world.Typically, these studies usually indicate the degree of flushing after five- or ten-dayperiods. HR Wallingford has developed a scientific basis to indicate what level offlushing is required to maintain appropriate water quality, and has used this to for-mulate a procedure for marina flushing studies.

Lagoon flushing simulation for a proposed resort development in the MiddleEast

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PRACTICALAPPLICATIONSFORCONSTRUCTIONANDTHEBUILTENVIRONMENT ... 78.pdf · station nearCheltenham,andTewkesbury ... 2 Innovation & Research Focus Issue 78 AUGUST 2009 ... C od ef rSu