| Topic title |
Possible scientific supervisors |
Source of funding |
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Investigation of performance and durability of sealing tapes for building airtightness accomplishment
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v.m.d. dr. Vaida DOBILAITĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
An essential prerequisite for energy efficiency is the long-term airtightness accomplishment of the building. Tape sealing materials are used to seal films and sheet materials, to attach them to structures, and to seal structural joints. During an operation of building, these sealing tapes are subject to variable humidity and temperature conditions. The temperature and humidity of the surfaces to which the sealing materials are applied also changes, causing the tapes to damage. Changes in the properties of sealing materials and their adhesion to the surfaces of various materials during the operation of the building may cause a significant decrease in the airtightness accomplishment of the building. Therefore, it is important to investigate changes in the deformability, breaking strength, and tear resistance of tape sealing materials and to determine changes in the strength of adhesion of these materials to various surfaces during the operation of a building.
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Investigation of textile waste utilization for interior decoration panels
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v.m.d. dr. Milda JUCIENĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The aim of the research is to investigate the possibilities of producing materials from textile waste for interior decoration of buildings. It is planned to make interior panels from different textile waste using different textile materials. The main properties of panels (such as strength, impact resistance, chemical resistance, etc.), the acoustic properties of the panels, the durability of the panels will be evaluated. The result of this research is the development of a prototype - an interior panels for the buildings.
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Investigations of the performance characteristics of wood and polyurethane foam in the contact zone of these materials
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v.m.d. dr. Raimondas BLIŪDŽIUS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Wood is increasingly used in building construction as a renewable building material with very low CO2 footprint compared to other construction materials such as concrete, metal or masonry. To improve the thermal properties of wooden structures, they are insulated with various thermal insulation materials. The polyurethane foam as a highly efficient thermal insulation material is increasingly used for this purpose. Wood, together with polyurethane foam, is used in construction site and prefabricated structures by pressing, fixing or gluing together. The wood-polyurethane joint in the enclosures is exposed to a variety of temperature and humidity conditions, most of which are variable, and the prediction of the mechanical, thermal and moisture characteristics of both the polyurethane foam and the wood in contact with it requires extensive research. The obtained results will be used to develop efficient and long-lasting solutions for polyurethane foam-insulated wooden partitions for energy-efficient low-carbon buildings.
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Development of the usage of ground heat and coolness to increase the energy efficiency of deepened or underground buildings
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prof. dr. Tadas ŽDANKUS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
To achieve greater energy performance of the building, it is necessary to maximize the efficiency of the energy source (s) and, if possible, to integrate renewable energy sources into the engineering systems. It is also necessary to minimize heat exchange with the environment. It can be reduced by ensuring the tightness requirements of the building and by thermally insulating the external partitions of the building. It is a traditional method that includes both renovated and newly constructed buildings. If the renovation of a building has to adapt to the existing situation, then before the construction of a new building, at the design stage, the possibility of much more diverse solutions remains. One of the non-traditional solutions is the construction of deepened or underground buildings, in order to solve territorial problems and reduce heat exchange through external partitions with the environment. In this case, the wind would be completely or partially eliminated, which is a very important factor that significantly influences the heat exchange. Even at shallow depths, the soil temperature is higher than the ambient air (during the cold period), and as the depth increases, the soil temperature continues to increase. The smaller temperature difference on the different sides of the partitions worsens the heat exchange conditions. In this way, in the case of a deepened or underground building, energy could be saved for building heating it during the cold period and for cooling it during the hot period.
The lack of data was noticed. It is not known how the soil temperature exactly changes depending on the depth in Lithuania; what is the influence of soil type and its characteristics on heat dissipation at the depth greater than 1 m; as well as what is the effect of precipitation and groundwater on soil temperature. It is also unclear how the heat transferred to the soil is distributed, whether it would be possible to accumulate surplus heat in the soil. The questions need to be answered about the ability of the soil to be charged and accumulate heat. After analysis of literature sources, it was noticed that insufficient researches were performed, and the data obtained during the investigation is not suitable in Lithuania.
Relevance of the research. The construction of underground or deepened buildings expands the usage of the territory, reduces the demand for energy consumption for heating and cooling of the building, as well as provide opportunities for a wider range of engineering solutions, such as heat storage in the ground and so on.
The aim of the research. To research the possibilities to reduce the energy consumption of a building in the case of deepened and underground buildings and the properties of heat accumulation in the ground.
Research methodology. Several cases of a residential building with engineering systems are being projected: the standard, the semi deepened and underground. The main focus is directed on the energy consumption for heating or cooling of the building. Numerical modelling is performed in parallel with experimental research under field conditions.
Expected results and practical application. The research results and proposed solutions will focus on practical applications in building engineering systems. The usage of ground heat or coolness to reduce energy costs will contribute to the sustainable development of energy, and the issues of deepened and underground buildings will contribute to the development of smart cities.
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Assessing the sustainability of buildings using life cycle analysis and advanced methods – a new approach for evaluation the impact on the environment
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prof. dr. Lina ŠEDUIKYTĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
European buildings contribute to about 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% to greenhouse gas emissions. The building sector is crucial for achieving the EU's energy and environmental goals. At the same time, better and more energy-efficient buildings improve the quality of citizens' life while bringing additional benefits to the economy and society.
The European Commission announced in 2019 the Level(s) scheme. This system is anticipated in the near future to represent the common component of all its Member States in relation to the assessment of the sustainability of buildings in the European Union. There are more than 60 certification schemes for green buildings worldwide, which also helps assess buildings' sustainability.
The building consists of different materials and systems. The choice of building materials results in sustainability aspects. Life cycle analysis (LCA) addresses the environmental aspects and potential environmental effects throughout a product’s life from acquisition of raw materials through production, use, end-of-life treatment, recycling and final disposal. LCA supports the management of environmental aspects of products and processes. LCA is the most well-defined way of assessing the environmental behaviour of products and services, including buildings.
This work aims to assess the environmental sustainability of buildings using integrated life cycle analysis and extract the sustainability indicators associated with the environmental behaviour of buildings. This work will utilize the OneClickLCA software tool, which can be used to extract building sustainability indicators. Within this study, alternative solutions will be analysed and compared, with the aim to compare and analyse alternative scenarios for buildings sustainability upgrade. The new methods for the evaluation of the sustainability of the building will be analysed. Within this work, the development of know-how in assessing the environmental sustainability of buildings and the use of advanced tools for the sustainability analysis of the built environment and construction sector will be performed, and new system for evaluation of building‘s sustainability will be created.
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The occurrence of reinforcement shadows on the formed surface of a precast concrete element
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prof. dr. Mindaugas DAUKŠYS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The appearance of darker lines on the surface of the product results from changes in the structure of hardened cement paste around the reinforcement bars during the product manufacture. Literature analysis showed that the main cause of the changes in the structure of hardened cement paste has not been found yet. The effect of reinforcement shadows is one of the most difficult technological processes to control in precast concrete manufacture. The research topic solving relevant issues has been coordinated with UAB INHUS Prefab.
The object of the research is the reinforcement shadows on the surface of a precast concrete element.
The research aims to determine the causes of reinforcement shadows on the surface of a precast concrete product and to develop recommendations for controlling this negative effect.
The relationship between technological properties of concrete mixture, properties of the moulds, technological parameters of concrete mixture casting and compacting, and the negative effect of reinforcement shadows determined after the planned research and analysis of research results will make it possible to predict the changes in the structure of hardened cement paste around the reinforcement bars on the visible surface of the precast concrete element. The research results will be used to develop recommendations for precast concrete product manufacturers so that reinforcement shadows on the visible surface of the product can be controlled or prevented.
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| The systems of alkali activated materials under elevated temperatures |
prof. dr. Danutė VAIČIUKYNIENĖ |
state-funded |
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Facility Management Effectiveness Modelling by Applying BIM Technologies
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doc. dr. Rasa APANAVIČIENĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Digital innovations and Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies substantially change the activities of the Construction and Real Estate sector over the entire life cycle of a construction project. It is stated that BIM provides the greatest benefit for high-quality and efficient operation and maintenance process, thus creating additional value for the organization. Facility Management (FM) is one of the fastest growing areas of professional activities globally, however there is no published science-based methodology for the application of state-of-the-art BIM technologies for facility management effectiveness modelling.
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A Model for Dynamic Indoor Environmental and Building Energy Performance Assessment through Internet of Things (IoT) and Digital Twins
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prof. dr. Andrius JURELIONIS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Buildings consume up to 70% of all primary energy in cities, and also contribute to more than 46% of environmental pollution. Majority of this energy is needed for HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment, and in turn – to ensure occupant wellbeing. COVID-19 pandemic has also outlined the need of more sophisticated indoor environmental parameters tracking, estimating the risk of cross infection. New monitoring and control solutions for indoor environments can help both to ensure occupant wellbeing and safety, and reduce energy consumption through demand control. The aim of this work is to create the BIM-based (Building Information Modelling based) indoor environmental and energy performance model by integrating IoT devices into the BMS systems to increase the smartness of the building, equip it for tools to estimate risks of cross-infections, occupancy, HVAC controls.
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Modeling of Mechanical Properties and Investigations on Durability of Wooden Constructions from Glued Solid Timber and/or Laminated Veneer Lumber
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doc. dr. Ernestas IVANAUSKAS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Wooden constructions are widely used in construction and other industries. The popularity of wood is determined by its relatively simple machining, availability, good physical and mechanical properties. In order to change the properties of these structures in the desired direction, wood in them is composed in various ways with other materials - metals, glass, textiles, etc. The negative qualities of wooden constructions could be characterized by a large distribution of mechanical and physical properties of wood, and low resistance to environmental influences. The properties of the structures are also determined by the various holes required for mounting or communications. In addition, many of these structures are massive, which involves large amounts of materials, energy consumption.
In the construction, each element determines its certain property. Using a unique methodology, the mechanical properties of individual structural elements can be determined. Later, by selecting wood with appropriate properties (it is known that the mechanical properties of the same wood species can differ up to 2 times or more in the same fiber direction), composing it accordingly or with other materials, changing joining methods, material ratio or orientation in structure, it is possible to obtain desired (sometimes unique) properties.
In the production of constructions from wood and wood materials, often sockets, grooves, holes, which are necessary for fastening details to each other, for communications. These elements often degrade the properties of the whole structure. By optimizing their location and orientation in the construction, the impact of these elements can be reduced.
The mechanical properties of wood and wood materials are strongly influenced by environmental influences (temperature, humidity, static and dynamic loads). In order to reduce this influence, the wood is specially treated - covered or soaked with special materials, modified thermally and chemically. Differently treated wood is differently protected from the environment. In addition, such treatment can have both positive and negative effects on the mechanical properties of the structure. Therefore, it is particularly important to select the appropriate material treatment method for the respective construction elements.
Evaluating these and many other aspects in the work, it would be possible to create construction elements with good mechanical properties, low material consumption, resistant to environment, "environmentally friendly" suitable for the production of load-bearing or other constructions.
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