Multi-Objective Analysis for the Optimization of a High Performance Slab-on- Ground Floor in a Warm Climate

Cristina Baglivo, Paolo Maria Congedo and Delia D’Agostino
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Cristina Baglivo: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce (LE), Italy
Paolo Maria Congedo: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce (LE), Italy
Delia D’Agostino: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Directorate C–Energy, Transport and Climate, Energy Efficiency and Renewables Unit, Via Fermi 2749, I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-28

Abstract: The building sector is responsible for a large part of the overall energy demand in Europe. Energy consumption may be reduced at the design stage by selecting the proper building elements. This study develops a multi-objective analysis for a highly efficient slab-on-ground floor, whose design is optimized for a warm climate. Possible floor configurations have been obtained using the software tools modeFRONTIER, for the multi-objective analysis, and MATLAB, for the computational code. To proceed with the optimization of the different floor layers, a dataset has been developed for several materials in relation to a number of parameters: thermo-physical properties, eco-sustainability score according to the ITACA Protocol, costs, source, and structural features. Results highlight how a high surface mass is preferable when guaranteed by concrete in the innermost and outermost layers. Furthermore, insulating materials are better placed in the middle layers, with the insulating and synthetic materials adjacent to the ground and insulating and natural materials adjacent to the floor. Results emphasize the importance of thermal transmittance close to the Italian regulation limit (0.38 W/m 2 K) in the climatic zone C, to allow an adequate exchange with the ground in summer, avoiding overheating. The outcomes show that the obtained slab-on-ground floor configurations favor the use of local, recyclable, sustainable, and eco-friendly materials, which is in line with energy policies and sustainability protocols. The paper supports the decision making process that takes many variables into account at the building design stage.

Keywords: slab-on-ground floor; warm climate; multi-objective analysis; ITACA Protocol; building optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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