Yacine Rezgui

Cardiff University | CU · BRE Institute of Sustainable Engineering

Building optimisation techniques provide a rigorous framework for exploring new optimal design solutions. In this study, a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to investigate the energy efficiency of a vernacular architectural element (Rawshan) in Saudi Arabia. Two objectives were optimised using a GA simulation enhanced: energy consumption optimisation...

This research article explores the need to adapt the weighting system of a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework to a wide range of socio-technical and environmental considerations, which are complex and sensitive to external stressors. The study demonstrates the potential of agent-based systems to adapt a weighting system to dynamic conditions, an...

Purpose While social aspects are considered as part of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), the concept of Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is relatively new in the construction sector, and more research is needed to comprehend its full potential and inform practice to deliver socially sustainable interventions. The paper aims to provid...

The construction sector faces the urgent need to prioritize energy efficiency due to an increasingly stringent regulatory landscape in response to the climate change agenda. Central to this transition is the pivotal role of education in equipping professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills. Educational solutions have emerged as powerful t...

The fish processing sector is experiencing increased pressure to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint as a response to (a) an increasingly stringent energy regulatory landscape, (b) rising fuel prices, and (c) the incentives to improve social and environmental performance. In this paper, a standalone forecasting computational platform...

To achieve the potential of smart cities, there is a strong requirement to use a set of useful, but still accessible services within smart city systems. Interoperability challenges and roadblocks for software developers and integrators are well-known consequences of fragmented semantics across different contexts. Furthermore, in the smart city cont...

Given the complexity and interconnection of different aspects involved in building evaluation, one of the most relevant, and challenging, research topics is the integration of different domain models (such as thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort) to effectively describe and inform improvement strategies for the behavio...

The Construction industry has a complex structure with multiple parties involved, which often leads to “adversarial relationships”, “risk avoidance”, and a “lack of trust” among the different actors. This culture is further compounded by a “linear workflow” that often results in low efficiency, delays, rework and unnecessary waste. Blockchain techn...

Recent events worldwide of climate and geological origins highlight the vulnerability of our infrastructures and stress the often dramatic consequences on our environment. Accurate digital models are needed to understand how climate change and associated risks affect buildings, while informing on ways of enhancing their adaptability and resilience....

Current evidence that supports the correlation between training and energy efficiency in the construction industry is sparse and lacks an in-depth and sector-wide analysis. Several context-specific (in terms of application, workforce segment, and scope) studies have highlighted several barriers, challenges, and gaps in the training landscape in the...

Earthquakes often affect buildings that did comply with regulations in force at the time of design, prompting the need for new approaches addressing the complex structural dynamics of seismic design. In this paper, we demonstrate how strucural resilience can be appraised to inform optimization pathways by utilising artificial neural networks, augme...

In theory, building automation and management systems (BAMSs) can provide all the components and functionalities required for analyzing and operating buildings. However, in reality, these systems can only ensure the control of heating ventilation and air conditioning system systems. Therefore, many other tasks are left to the operator, e.g. evaluat...

Many composite materials, both natural and fabricated, process a Voronoi like architecture or microstructure. Furthermore, the stochasticity and connectivity of Voronoi tessellation endow the composite materials constructed by this kind of structures a wide range of desired properties including high and tuneable stiffness, high strength and good ma...

Sports facilities (SFs) consume massive energy given their unique demand profiles and operation requirements. Intelligent and effective solutions are necessary to tackle the matter of facilities’ sustainability and efficiency. Promoting efficient and environmentally sustainable SFs is pivotal towards environmentally friendly and socially resilient...

Sports facilities are considered complex buildings due to their high energy demand and occupancy profiles. Therefore, their management and optimization are crucial for reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint while maintaining an appropriate indoor environmental quality. This work is part of the SportE3.Q project, which aims to manage...

Social media data analysis in a smart city context can represent an efficacious instrument to inform decision making. The manuscript strives to leverage the power of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques applied to Twitter messages using supervised learning to achieve real-time automated event detection in smart cities. A semantic-based taxo...

It is highly demanding and challenging to maximise the stiffness of the interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) while still keeping their isotropy. In this paper, the elastic properties of IPCs reinforced by three different types of regular lattice fibre networks are investigated by computer simulation and analytical methods. The numerical results...

Smart cities attempt to reach net-zero emissions goals by reducing wasted energy while improving grid stability and meeting service demand. This is possible by adopting next-generation energy systems, which leverage artificial intelligence, the Internet of things (IoT), and communication technologies to collect and analyze big data in real-time and...

Many seaports are facing increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, while increasing their energy efficiency and global competitiveness. Moreover, energy consumption in seaports is continuously monitored to manage the increasing energy costs, these rising costs are reflected in the increased fuel demand. The fishing industry is one of th...

Background The literature includes many studies which individually assess the efficacy of protective measures against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study considers the high infection risk in public buildings and models the quality of the indoor environment, related safety measures, and their efficacy in preventing the spread of the SARS-...

Purpose This paper reviews the state-of-the art research in life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to buildings. It focuses on current research trends, and elaborates on gaps and directions for future research. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted to identify current research and applications of LCA in buildings. The proposed review m...

Seismic hazards represent a permanent threat to buildings. The paper argues that risk-oriented approaches provide an interesting solution to account for the long-term resilience of buildings, both for the design of new structures and the rehabilitation of existing ones. The proposed research draws upon the standard definition of risk as a function...

Purpose Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the process of systematically assessing impacts when there is an interaction between the environment and human activity. Machine learning (ML) with LCA methods can help contribute greatly to reducing impacts. The sheer number of input parameters and their uncertainties that contribute to the full life cycle ma...

The recent ongoing digital transformation of the energy landscape provides new opportunities to decarbonise energy-intensive industries, including the fish processing sector. The paper explores the potential of deploying multi-vector smart micro-grid solutions in fishery ports, sourced from dispatchable renewable generation, including solar energy....

Marine activities in seaports account for circa 3% of total carbon emissions worldwide, prompting several initiatives to decarbonise their energy systems and make seaports smarter and greener. This paper provides a thorough and authoritative review of the vast array of research in this field, including past and ongoing initiatives. The study reveal...

Sports tourism in the Gulf region started to flourish where several international sports events were secured for the next decade. This reflects on the number of sports facilities, their energy consumption, and CO2 emissions mainly due to the indoor and outdoor air conditioning requirements. This paper aims to emphasize the significance of energy ma...

As our society is becoming increasingly interconnected, the construction industry is faced with unparalleled needs for digital infrastructure as it is beginning to adopt sophisticated cyber-physical integra-tions, known as Digital Twins. Previous work on BIM and cyber-physical systems within the construction sec-tor as well as from nearby engineeri...

PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) model is currently the most extensively used method for thermal sensation (TS) evaluation. However, the model is criticized for not being able to account for human thermal preferences and expectations. In response to these limitations, the adaptive model was developed to factor in behavioural, psychological and physiologic...

The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model is extensively used by current thermal comfort standards, such as ASHRAE 55 and ISO 7730, despite its discrepancy in predicting Thermal Sensation (TS). The implicit assumption is that PMV can be applied for predicting TS of a large population. Our statistical analysis of a subset of ASHRAE global database of ther...

Integrating data analytics, optimisation and dynamic control to support energy services has seen significant interest in recent years. Larger appliances used in an industry context are now provided with Internet of Things (IoT)-based interfaces that can be remotely monitored, with some also provided with actuation interfaces. The combined use of Io...

The digitalization of the construction industry has been supported recently with various building information modelling (BIM) methods applied to lifecycle stages. This has enabled the transition towards an improved management of information required in the development of different construction project tasks. In a digital construction context, trace...

Several attempts have been made in the past to advance fire safety standards for residential buildings. However, the UK government has only partially succeeded in delivering detailed legislation that has been both successfully implemented and enforced across all types of dwellings. To further understand the government's approach, the author carried...

The recent adoption of building information modelling (BIM), and the quest to decarbonise our built environment, has impacted several segments of the supply chain, including design and engineering practitioners, prompting the need to redefine the construction personnel positions along with associated skills and competencies. The research informs wa...

Recent technological developments in the construction industry are seeking to create smart cities by using Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) to enhance information models such as BIM. Currently, BIM models are commonly adopted to work with IoT-based systems and embrace smart technologies that offer interoperability in the communication layer. In future...

Urban environments are urgently required to become smarter to overcome sustainability and resilience challenges whilst remaining economically viable. This involves a vast increase in the penetration of ICT resources, both physical and virtual, with the requirement to factor in built environment, socio-economic and human artefacts. This paper, there...

Branched actin network supports cell migration through extracellular microenvironments. However, it is unknown how intracellular proteins adapt the elastic properties of the network to the highly varying extracellular resistance. Here we develop a three-dimensional assembling model to simulate the realistic self-assembling process of the network by...

Automated compliance checking brings advantages to the built environment but, currently, there has been no meaningful adoption, despite the increasing maturity of asset information models. This paper addresses this by ascertaining the blockers/obstacles to adoption and develops a road-map to overcome them. This work has been conducted in the UK and...

This research extends Hasan Fathy’s (1986) principle of vernacular architecture by focusing on the Rawshan through an investigation of two criteria: aesthetics and energy efficiency. The paper discusses the views of both the Saudi public and key decision-makers on reviving vernacular architecture in the context of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly developing...

The decentralisation of energy supply and demand can contribute decisively to protecting the environment and climate of the planet by consuming electricity in the proximity of the generation source and avoiding losses in transmission and distribution. Supporting energy transactions with emerging intelligent technologies can advance the development...

As the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector is embracing the digital age, the processes involved in the design, construction and operation of built assets are more and more influenced by technologies dealing with value-added monitoring of data from sensor networks, management of this data in secure and resilient storage systems underpi...

Air quality and energy consumption are among the top ten environmental priorities in seaports as stated by the European Sea Ports Organization. Globally, it is estimated that 15% of energy consumption can be attributed to refrigeration and air conditioning systems in fishing activities. There is a real need to understand energy usage in fishery por...

With the rapid growth in clean distributed energy resources involving micro-generation and flexible loads, users can actively manage their own energy and have the capability to enter in a market of energy services as prosumers while reducing their carbon footprint. The coordination between these distributed energy resources is essential in order to...

The development of new climate change policies has increased the motivation to reduce energy use in buildings, as reflected by a stringent regulatory landscape. The construction industry is expected to adopt new methods and strategies to address such requirements, focusing primarily on reducing energy demand, improving process efficiency and reduci...

In this research, the Poisson’s ratio of three different types of almost isotropic interpenetrating composites are designed to be either positive, or negative, or zero. As they are strengthened by a self-connected fibre-network and do not contain any pore in their structure, they all are stiffer than the conventional particle composites. In additio...

Global warming is driving the need to reduce energy consumption in buildings. Energy for the construction sector accounts for over 40% of Europe’s energy and CO2 emissions. A game-changing strategy is required to support the transition to cleaner and more cost-efficient practices. BIM is already demonstrating effective collaborations across discipl...

With the growing concerns regarding energy consumption, companies and industries worldwide are looking for ways to reduce their costs and carbon footprint linked to energy usage. The rising cost of energy makes energy saving and optimisation a real stake for businesses which have started to implement more intelligent energy management techniques to...

Urban sustainability assessment frameworks have emerged during the past decade to address holistically the complexity of the urban landscape through a systems approach, factoring in environmental, social and economic requirements. However, the current assessment schemes are (a) static in nature, and as such don't reflect the dynamic and real-time n...

The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model is extensively used by current thermal comfort standards, such as ASHRAE 55 and ISO 7730, despite its discrepancy in predicting Thermal Sensation (TS). The implicit assumption is that PMV can be applied for predicting TS of a large population. Our statistical analysis of a subset of ASHRAE global database of ther...

“Demand Response” energy management of thermal grids requires consideration of a wide range of factors at building and district level, supported by continuously calibrated simulation models that reflect real operation conditions. Moreover, cross-domain data interoperability between concepts used by the numerous hardware and software is essential, i...

This paper presents a newly constructed smart low carbon district energy network in Belval, Luxembourg. The district was the site for the largest steelworks in Luxembourg and currently a majority of the site is renovated into a new modern community with university, research institutes, banks, shopping malls, hotels and residential apartments. The w...

The Irish Seafood agency reports that 15% of global energy is consumed by operations related to refrigeration and air conditioning in the fish industry which stresses the importance of integration with clean renewables and adoption of smart energy management solutions. While fish processing industries have high energy costs with continuous refriger...

The building sector accounts for 40% of the total energy consumption in the EU. It faces great challenges to meet the goal of transforming the existing building stocks into near zero-energy buildings by 2050. The development of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) schemes in the EU provides a powerful and comprehensive information tool to quantitat...

Fish processing industries involve the usage of energy-intensive equipment, such as refrigerators, air conditioners and ice making machines leading to high energy costs and, indirectly, to an increase of the carbon emissions. As most fish industries sites are old, there is a strong need to make them more sustainable and achieve economic competitive...

Information modelling for the construction industry can address the fragmentation, multitude of professions and companies that often require collaboration and data exchange. Construction projects involve various professions, including design teams, contractors, facility managers, product manufacturers and suppliers, user associations, clients and i...

There has been a recent decline in the use of vernacular building traditions, which have been replaced by modern methods of construction. However, many academics and researchers have emphasized the significance of vernacular architecture, due to such technologies being the result of centuries of experiments focussed on adaptation to local climatic...

Decentralisation of energy generation and distribution to local districts or microgrids is viewed as an important strategy to increase energy efficiency, incorporate more small-scale renewable sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve these goals, an intelligent, context-aware, adaptive energy management platform is required. This pap...