Gearóid Lydon

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Lydon

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Gearóid

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0000-0002-0294-4959

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Publications 1 - 10 of 16

3D-Printed Formwork for Integrated Funicular Concrete Slabs
Jipa, Andrei; Calvo Barentin, Cristian Javier; Lydon, Gearóid; et al. (2019)
Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia ~ Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2019 – Structural Membranes 2019
The Adaptive Solar Facade: From concept to prototypes
Nagy, Zoltan; Svetozarevic, Bratislav; Jayathissa, Prageeth; et al. (2016)
Frontiers of Architectural Research
The Adaptive Solar Facade (ASF) is a modular, highly integrated dynamic building facade.The energetic behavior as well as the architectural expression of the facade can be controlled with high spatio-temporal resolution through individually addressable modules. We present the general design process, the current mechanical design, and simulation results on photovoltaic power production and building energy consumption. We introduce the controller concept and show results on solar tracking as well as user interaction. Lastly, we present our current and planned prototypes.
NEST HiLo: Investigating lightweight construction and adaptive energy systems
Block, Philippe; Schlueter, Arno; Veenendaal, Diederik; et al. (2017)
Journal of Building Engineering
Small-scale experiments on the operational performance of a lightweight thermally active building system
Lydon, Gearóid; Schlueter, Arno (2023)
Journal of Building Engineering
Thermally active building systems (TABS), which are integrated with the structure of a building, provide a robust approach for utilising renewable energy. However, reinforced concrete, where TABS are typically placed, is responsible for a significant proportion of initial embodied energy and related greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, combining lightweight structural elements and thermal systems reduces initial embodied energy usage while retaining the active material's thermal storage and heat transport benefits. The present experimental work explores the operational performance of a prototype of a lightweight TABS at ceiling level. A small-scale climate chamber was constructed and equipped to evaluate the prototype in the key operating modes. The study investigated the relationship between the supply temperature of the lightweight TABS and the climate chamber's internal air temperature for active heating, active cooling and natural ventilation modes. The experiments compared the reaction time in active heating mode for a range of supply temperatures. In addition, we examined the dynamic characteristics of the thermal mass of the lightweight TABS in passive natural ventilation mode and passive cooling mode in the presence of an internal thermal load. The results provide insights into the dynamic performance in operation. In heating mode, we identified the time lag between the radiant surface achieving a steady state and the conditioned air reaching its target temperature. This feature emphasises the significance of refining control strategies when designing comfortable environments with low-temperature heating systems at ceiling level. Further, we highlighted the importance of balancing decisions on minimising embodied energy with the suitability of the selected material to leverage renewable energy sources. The experimental data can be used for validating high-resolution numerical models, which support the development of multifunctional elements with renewable energy sources for building heating and cooling.
Coupled simulation of thermally active building systems to support a digital twin
Lydon, Gearóid; Caranovic, Stefan; Hischier, Illias; et al. (2019)
Energy and Buildings
Based on 2050 Swiss and European Union targets, significant energy performance improvements will be required for new and renovated buildings. However, the construction industry has a poor record for delivering productivity and efficiency advancement. As proven in other industries, digital methods can shorten product development time and cost by reducing prototyping with the use of numerical simulation. Further, a digital twin is an extensive computational model of a product that is planned to improve over its lifecycle by leveraging operational data. This paper presents a coupled simulation for the thermal design of a heating and cooling system that is integrated with a lightweight roof structure. The concrete roof structure is shape optimised to provide a low embodied energy building element, which is thermally activated to supply space conditioning from a renewable geothermal source. This work is focused on the modelling methodology used by the energy domain to support the development of a digital twin for a multifunctional building element. High-resolution analysis is used to resolve building physics issues and to provide the initial system performance. A parametric geometry model is used to apply the hydronic pipework to a complex roof shape. With input from the previous two steps, a reduced resolution method is used to add the characteristics of the system to an industry standard whole building simulation model. This final step allows for the development of initial control strategies for the novel multifunctional element. The implications of the research findings are discussed in the context of possible alternations to the building design process due to the influence of digital fabrication.
Thermal Analysis of a Multifunctional Floor Element
Lydon, Gearóid; Hofer, Johannes; Nagy, Zoltán; et al. (2016)
Building Simulation and Optimisation Conference (BSO 2016): Book of Abstracts
High-resolution analysis for the coupling of thermal systems with lightweight structures
Lydon, Gearóid (2018)
This thesis investigates combining a set of building components into a multifunctional element. These elements can perform many functions simultaneously, such as energy, structural and architectural aspects. This method is in contrast to traditional sequential design in which, each component satisfies a single purpose. The starting point is an existing concrete structure that has been optimised geometrically to reduce embodied energy. The component is then thermally activated to supply space heating and cooling from a renewable geothermal source. Operational energy performance is further enhanced by using a passive thermal mass resource that leverages the thermal properties of the exposed concrete with a mixed ventilation strategy. This challenge is tackled with the application of high-resolution modelling in three steps, which are focused on progressing the development of thermally active structural elements. The nature of the construction industry makes it difficult for innovation to be accepted due to government regulation and market forces. Therefore, in step one a building design phase is used to define the critical issues for the product development. The building includes two multifunctional elements and a connection to a renewable district scale geothermal source. This work provides a framework for the integration of the multifunctional element analysis with a dynamic building model and the performance factors of a district energy network. The next steps involve two multifunctional elements with different design constraints and modelling requirements. Step two examines an internal multifunctional element based on a structural form that is optimised by a vault and fin method. With this method, a significant volume of concrete is replaced by expanded polystyrene insulation at locations that improve the structural and thermal performance of the element. Improvements to operational energy are provided by an active hydronic heating and cooling system and a passive thermal mass resource. The main advantage is a reduction in thermal losses by minimising the connection between the radiant panel and the structural supports. This method increases the heat flow density, resulting in a lower supply medium temperature and an improved system efficiency of the active panel. Further, the modelling strategy includes a high-resolution method for analysing thermal comfort within the conditioned zone. Finally, the third step examines a thermally activated concrete shell that is exposed to external weather conditions. High-resolution analysis is used to solve building physics issues and to provide the initial system performance. A parametric geometry model is used to apply the hydronic pipework to a complex roof shape. With input from the previous two tasks, a reduced resolution method is used to add the characteristics of the system to an industry standard whole building simulation model. This final step allows for the development of initial control strategies for the novel multifunctional element. The implications of the research findings are discussed in the context of possible alternations to the building design process due to the influence of digital fabrication.
Thermal and manufacturing properties of hollow-core 3D-printed elements for lightweight facades
Leschok, Matthias; Piccioni, Valeria; Lydon, Gearóid; et al. (2024)
Developments in the Built Environment
High-performance facades play an important role in achieving Net-Zero goals by 2050. As a facade manufacturing technology, 3D printing offers the opportunity to create site-specific and high-performance building envelopes. In this manuscript, the thermal performance of components fabricated with different Material Extrusion methods is studied experimentally, and the fabrication time is calculated, thereby examining both performance and fabrication viability. More specifically, this manuscript investigates the thermal performance of 3D-printed facades using Hollow-Core 3D printing (HC3DP) and explores the potential of this novel approach in creating thermally insulating, lightweight, and translucent building envelopes. The research compares the thermal resistance of HC3DP specimens to conventional material extrusion methods, such as desktop 3D printers, and granular-based, large-scale pellet extrusion. Different methods are used to determine the thermal resistance of specimens, including the dynamic thermal conductivity measurement for the desktop 3D-printed (3DP) specimens, and the steady-state hot box heat flux meter approach for HC3DP. The results demonstrate that HC3DP enables lower Thermal transmittance (U-value)s at lighter weight and faster printing speed, making it a promising avenue for further research. Additionally, the combination of HC3DP with aerogel is shown to create ultra-lightweight and thermally insulating 3D-printed facade elements. The potential of this new facade technology is also highlighted in comparison with established facade systems. All in all, the manuscript provides insights into the thermal performance of 3D-printed facades at different printing resolutions and emphasizes the importance of printing time and material consumption in determining the most promising 3D printing approach for lightweight and thermally insulating facades.
Printing thermal performance: an experimental exploration of 3DP polymers for facade applications
Piccioni, Valeria; Leschok, Matthias; Lydon, Gearóid; et al. (2023)
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science ~ SBE23-Thessaloniki "Sustainable built environments: Paving the way for achieving the targets of 2030 and beyond"
The decarbonisation of the building sector requires the development of building components that provide energy efficiency while producing minimal environmental impact. We investigate the potential of polymer 3D printing (3DP) for the fabrication of mono-material translucent facade components, whose properties can be tailored according to climatic conditions and functional requirements. These components bear the potential to reduce energy consumption in buildings and, at the same time, can be fabricated with minimal environmental impact thanks to the recyclability of the feedstock material. In this study, we explore the effect of component geometry on the thermal insulation properties of 3DP objects with bespoke internal structures. Different prototypes are fabricated using a robotic polymer extruder, and their thermal properties are measured following a hot-box test method. The experimental results are then used to calibrate a heat transfer simulation model describing the joint effects of conduction, natural convection and infrared radiation through the components. We show that it is possible to fabricate insulating polymer components providing thermal transmittance ranging from 1.7 to 1 W/m2 K only by changing the internal cavity distribution and size. This proves the possibility of designing 3DP thermally-insulating components for different climatic conditions and requirements. This study provides the first insights into the thermal behaviour of polymer 3DP facades on a large scale. The results suggest that this innovative manufacturing technique is promising for application in facades and encourages further research toward performant and low-embodied energy 3DP building components.
High-resolution analysis for the development of TABS in lightweight structures
Lydon, Gearóid; Hischier, Illias; Hofer, Johannes; et al. (2017)
Proceedings of the 15th IBPSA Conference

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Gearóid Lydon

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