Submit to Applied Sciences Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Buildings Operation and Maintenance

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2021) | Viewed by 25218

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. David Bigaud

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

LARIS Laboratory on Complex Systems Engineering, University of Angers, 49100 Angers, France
Interests: reliability based maintenance and safety of structures and buildings; optimization; decision-making
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I have the honor to guest this Special Issue of Applied Sciences on Building Operation and Maintenance (O&M). The O&M phase of buildings covers more than 50 years of their total life span and represents between 70% and 80% of their life cycle costs. Achieving smart building management with the objectives of ensuring continuity of services and activities, extending their service life and maintaining user satisfaction, is a complex issue in O&M and requires addressing many key topics, ranging from availability of O&M data to optimization of maintenance planning, and including diagnosis methods.

In this Special Issue of Applied Sciences, we expect papers about O&M data: What are the key indicators to follow? How do we ensure data integrity? Studies can be proposed on measurements of O&M data, on the optimal placement of sensors, on data fusion, and on use of emergent sensors. We are also particularly interested in papers giving proof of value about the use of digital twins for building O&M.

O&M data analytics will also form an important part of this Special Issue. Contributions regarding the latest methods and technologies that employ data analytics at material, structural element or installation scales for model-based predictive controls, for automated fault detection and diagnostics, and regarding data-driven performance benchmarking are also welcome.

However, our approach would not be holistic if we did not consider papers dealing with optimization and decision-making methods for building O&M. Multiobjective planning of O&M and assignment of technical resources, among others, constitute optimization problems that are required to deal with in order to improve O&M management. Paper reviews are also eligible for publication.

Dr. David Bigaud
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

operation and maintenance
monitoring
sensors
diagnosis
data analytics
prognosis
optimization

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

26 pages, 4792 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Identifying Energy-Use Behavior and Energy-Use Profiles of Hotel Guests

by Hevar Palani and Aslihan Karatas

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6093; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136093 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3176

Abstract

There are about 47,000 hotels in the United States that spend an average of $2200 per room on energy annually. Studies found that hotel guests’ energy consumption behavior is one of the key reasons that affects hotel buildings’ energy consumption. However, there has been little research study that provides efficient energy-use reduction interventions based on guests’ energy-related behavior in hotel buildings. To address this research gap, this research study aims to develop an integrated energy-use framework in four steps: (1) integrating four energy-related behavior models (i.e., Motivation-Opportunity-Ability, Norm Activation Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Pro-environmental Behavior); (2) developing a set of hypotheses and their relevant measures to examine the relationship between the energy-related behavior models and hotel guests’ energy-use behavior; (3) conducting an energy-use survey to analyze the effect of each determined measure on hotel guests’ energy-use behavior; (4) analyzing the energy behavior data to identify energy-use behavior of hotel guests in hotel buildings; (5) analyzing the energy behavior data to identify energy-use profiles (i.e., Prone, Indifferent, or Resistant to Change) of hotel guests in hotel buildings. In this study, Prone to Change refers to good energy consumption behavior, Indifferent to Change refers to moderate energy consumption behavior, and Resistant to Change refers to bad or dark energy consumption behavior. From the energy-use survey, 370 responses were collected. Then, the 370 responses were analyzed to identify the energy-use profiles of hotel guests. The results from the analysis indicated that 168 out of 370 (45%) respondents have Resistant to Change energy-use profile, 146 out of 370 (40%) respondents have Indifferent to Change energy-use profile, and 56 out of 370 (15%) respondents have Prone to Change energy-use profile. The findings can provide decision-makers in hospitality industry with a better understanding of their guests’ energy-related behavior; and accordingly develop effective interventions to reduce energy consumption in hotel buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings Operation and Maintenance)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 41887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building Information Modeling Methods for Post-Earthquake Retrofitting Visualization of Buildings Using Augmented Reality

by Zhansheng Liu and Wenyan Bai

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(12), 5739; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125739 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3975

Abstract

The post-earthquake retrofitting and repair process of a building is a key factor in improving its seismic capability. A thorough understanding of retrofitting methods and processes will aid in repairing post-earthquake buildings and improving seismic resilience. This study aims to develop a visualization framework for the post-earthquake retrofitting of buildings which builds models based on building information modeling (BIM) and realizes visualization using augmented reality (AR). First, multi-level representation methods and coding criteria are used to process the models for a damaged member. Then, an information collection template is designed for integrating multi-dimensional information, such as damage information, retrofitting methods, technical solutions, and construction measures. Subsequently, a BIM model is presented in three dimensions (3D) using AR. Finally, the visualization process is tested through experiments, which demonstrate the feasibility of using the framework to visualize the post-earthquake retrofitting of a building. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings Operation and Maintenance)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Age on the Technical Wear of Tenement Houses

by Jarosław Konior, Marek Sawicki and Mariusz Szóstak

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010297 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2284

Abstract

The research presented in the article, which includes methods, models, and conclusions, contains synthetic and analytical model solutions concerning the problems of the technical maintenance and wear of residential buildings with a traditional construction. The cause and effect relationships between the occurrence of damage in the elements of tenement houses (treated as proof of their maintenance conditions), and the size of the technical wear of these elements were determined using a representative and purposefully selected sample of 102 residential buildings erected during the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Wroclaw’s “Downtown” district. Quantitative damage analysis, which was carried out using empirical (visual) methods of assessing the technical condition of a building, indicates the type and size of damage to the building’s elements that are characteristic for the relevant maintenance conditions. Research concerning the cause–effect relationships (“damage–technical wear”) in observed states allows for a numerical approach to the impact of building maintenance conditions on the degree of the technical wear of its components. The maintenance and exploitation conditions determine the degree of the technical wear of the elements of an old residential building. The exploitation condition of these buildings is manifested by damage to elements caused by water and moisture penetration, which is especially important for poorly maintained buildings. The article shows that the age of the elements of an old residential building with a traditional construction is of secondary importance in the process of the intensity of losing its serviceability value. It was calculated that no more than 30% of the damage of building components is explained by the passage of time, and it is therefore not age that determines the course of the technical wear of the elements of the analyzed tenement houses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings Operation and Maintenance)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Approach of Automatic SPARQL Generation for BIM Data Extraction

by Dongming Guo, Erling Onstein and Angela Daniela La Rosa

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(24), 8794; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10248794 - 9 Dec 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3142

Abstract

Generally, building information modelling (BIM) models contain multiple dimensions of building information, including building design data, construction information, and maintenance-related contents, which are related with different engineering stakeholders. Efficient extraction of BIM data is a necessary and vital step for various data analyses and applications, especially in large-scale BIM projects. In order to extract BIM data, multiple query languages have been developed. However, the use of these query languages for data extraction usually requires that engineers have good programming skills, flexibly master query language(s), and fully understand the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) express schema or the ontology expression of the IFC schema (ifcOWL). These limitations have virtually increased the difficulties of using query language(s) and raised the requirements on engineers’ essential knowledge reserves in data extraction. In this paper, we develop a simple method for automatic SPARQL (SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language) query generation to implement effective data extraction. Based on the users’ data requirements, we match users’ requirements with ifcOWL ontology concepts or instances, search the connected relationships among query keywords based on semantic BIM data, and generate the user-desired SPARQL query. We demonstrate through several case studies that our approach is effective and the generated SPARQL queries are accurate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings Operation and Maintenance)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Inspection Period in Natural Stone Claddings

by Cláudia Ferreira, Ana Silva, Jorge de Brito, Ilídio S. Dias and Inês Flores-Colen

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8236; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10228236 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1709

Abstract

In condition-based maintenance plans, the schedule of inspections is an important step. Condition-based actions are performed according to prescribed condition criteria (i.e., condition, cost, availability, among other factors), and the main purpose of inspections is to evaluate the façade’s condition and plan its correction in order to reduce the risk of failure of the cladding. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to implement multi-objective optimization to understand whether there is an optimal time interval for performing the inspections. For that purpose, a Petri-net condition maintenance model is used to assess the influence of different maintenance plans on the overall degradation of natural stone claddings. In this model, the maintenance activities can only be performed after an inspection has been carried out. The definition of the best maintenance policy results in a conflict of objectives. Owners/managers seek to achieve a maintenance strategy that minimizes service life costs and maintain the cladding in a safe and minimal degradation condition. Multi-objective optimization procedures are capable of considering several conflicting objectives. In this paper, the objective functions considered are minimization of the service life costs, maximization of the efficiency index, maximization of the service life, and minimization of the total number of replacements over the time horizon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings Operation and Maintenance)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 4104 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

BIM-Based Digital Twin and XR Devices to Improve Maintenance Procedures in Smart Buildings: A Literature Review

by Corentin Coupry, Sylvain Noblecourt, Paul Richard, David Baudry and David Bigaud

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 6810; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156810 - 24 Jul 2021

Cited by 80 | Viewed by 10090

Abstract

In recent years, the use of digital twins (DT) to improve maintenance procedures has increased in various industrial sectors (e.g., manufacturing, energy industry, aerospace) but is more limited in the construction industry. However, the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase of a building’s life cycle is the most expensive. Smart buildings already use BIM (Building Information Modeling) for facility management, but they lack the predictive capabilities of DT. On the other hand, the use of extended reality (XR) technologies to improve maintenance operations has been a major topic of academic research in recent years, both through data display and remote collaboration. In this context, this paper focuses on reviewing projects using a combination of these technologies to improve maintenance operations in smart buildings. This review uses a combination of at least three of the terms “Digital Twin”, “Maintenance”, “BIM” and “Extended Reality”. Results show how a BIM can be used to create a DT and how this DT use combined with XR technologies can improve maintenance operations in a smart building. This paper also highlights the challenges for the correct implementation of a BIM-based DT combined with XR devices. An example of use is also proposed using a diagram of the possible interactions between the user, the DT and the application framework during maintenance operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings Operation and Maintenance)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Buildings Operation and Maintenance

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI