Zupan, Robert
(2019)
Computational Design and Evaluation of a Smart Material Morphing Building Surface Tile.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
This is the latest version of this item.
Abstract
The objective of the present work is to develop and numerically evaluate a novel concept for a shape-changing smart material building surface tile. This concept is based on a unique objective to reduce the area of the facade exposed to solar irradiance, thereby reducing thermal gains during high-temperature periods, by intelligently changing the shape of the facade surface depending upon the surface location, time of year, and other environmental factors. Moreover, a particularly high level of control, and therefore functionality is achieved for this tile concept by using a combination of localized smart material activation and mechanical actuation.
First, an evaluation of the self-shading capabilities of the tile concept is presented. Of particular importance is that a morphing tile leads to an increase in shaded area on a building facade in comparison to a static tile. Next, a computational strategy for the design of the morphing tile concept that includes a numerical representation of the tile concept combined with a non-linear optimization process is presented. The computational design approach is shown to be capable of accurately determining design solutions for various target shapes while also minimizing energy usage. Furthermore, it is shown that utilization of a localized material activation (as opposed to global material activation) parameterization leads to more accurate and energy efficient solutions. Finally, the development and quantification of the capabilities of a benchtop prototype of the tile concept is presented. The results indicate that if provided the proper material activation parameters the shape-changing smart material tile can provide a significant decrease in tile area exposed to solar irradiance for various times of day. Furthermore, results indicate that the morphing frequency (i.e., monthly, daily, hourly, etc.) and the control method of an array of tiles (independent vs dependent) have a significant effect on the area of the tile exposed to solar irradiance.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
19 June 2019 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
27 March 2014 |
| Approval Date: |
19 June 2019 |
| Submission Date: |
1 April 2019 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
106 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Swanson School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Smart Material, Optimization, Self-Shading, Computational Mechanics |
| Date Deposited: |
19 Jun 2019 14:10 |
| Last Modified: |
19 Jun 2019 14:10 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/36365 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Computational Design and Evaluation of a Smart Material Morphing Building Surface Tile. (deposited 19 Jun 2019 14:10)
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