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Umberto Berardi

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Dr. Berardi is Full Professor, Director of the BeTOP center at Toronto Metropolitan University, and Canada Research Chair in Building Science.
His main research interests are related to the study of innovative solutions and new materials for improving performance within the built environment. In the first years of his career, Dr. Berardi often worked on natural materials for acoustic applications and sustainable design through natural materials. Recently, he has been focusing on integrating nanotechnologies into building systems. He has mainly focused on organic PCMs, such as paraffin and bio-PCM, and on granular and monolithic aerogel. Dr. Berardi has an extensive publication record, including 170 peer-reviewed journals, 170 international conference papers, and five books.
Dr. Berardi has a body of funded research comprising over $1.5 M in government and private sector-sponsored research. He has been awarded a CFI-JELF; NSERC Discovery Grant; Early Research Award from the MRI - Ontario; Building Excellence Research and Education Grants from the BC Housing - Homeowner Protection Office; OCE-VIP projects; Ryerson Research Fund for Tools and for Undergraduate Research Experience and several NSERC Engages.

INFO @ https://sites.google.com/site/umbertoberardihomepage/home
Address: DAS-FEAS, 350 Church st, Toronto, Ontario

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Papers by Umberto Berardi

Summer outdoor thermal risk area mapping on a university campus in Auckland New Zealand

Architectural Science Review, 2025

Outdoor thermal risks in urban areas are increasingly critical due to climate change and urbaniza... more Outdoor thermal risks in urban areas are increasingly critical due to climate change and urbanization.
This study identifies high-risk areas at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, using a multilayered
approach integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Locations with Physiologically Equivalent
Temperature (PET) exceeding 23°C were analyzed alongside user density and survey-based vulnerability
assessments, pinpointing two high-risk zones. Future projections for 2050 and 2080 (RCP 4.5 and RCP
8.5 scenarios) indicate rising PET levels, amplifying thermal discomfort. Mitigation strategies, including
green walls and tree planting, demonstrated PET reductions of 2°C and 3°C, respectively, under current
conditions. These findings underscore the critical role of greenery in enhancing outdoor thermal
comfort and resilience. The study’s replicable methodology offers urban planners a practical framework
for addressing thermal risks and adapting outdoor spaces to climate change impacts, fostering urban
livability.

Full-scale assessment of a liquid CsWO3-SnO2 near-infrared shielding coating and a nanoceramic WO3 photochromic window film for in-situ window retrofits

Windows play a pivotal role in building design by providing daylight, solar heat gains, and natur... more Windows play a pivotal role in building design by providing daylight, solar heat gains, and natural ventilation. However, older buildings with outdated windows and inadequate solar control suffer from overheating, discomfort glare, and high cooling costs. While replacing existing windows with high-performance products can significantly boost energy efficiency and occupant comfort, the associated costs can be prohibitive. Consequently, retrofit technologies that utilize existing glass panes and frames offer a compelling solution. This paper investigates the thermal, energy, and daylight performance of two innovative window retrofit technologies
relative to a clear reference tested simultaneously at the BeTOP outdoor test cells in Toronto, ON-a vicinity with distinct warm summers and cold winters. The retrofits included a near-infrared absorbing CsWO3-SnO2 nanosuspension
and a nanoceramic WO3-based photochromic window film with dynamic absorptance to visible radiation. The low-cost technologies were applied directly to interior glass surfaces, allowing for swift installation with minimal occupancy interruption. The results show that retrofitting existing glass did not significantly influence the equivalent thermal transmittance but significant reductions in the equivalent solar factor and solar transmittance were observed. Although the retrofits did not significantly influence the energy consumption in
this particular setting due to Toronto’s cold climate and the adopted low window-wall ratio (10%), they contributed to the mitigation of overheating indicated by up to 50% reduction in the percentage of people dissatisfied. Furthermore, the photochromic film significantly improved visual comfort indicated by a 10%–17% improvement in the useful daylight illuminance and a 9% reduction in peak discomfort glare probability.

The acoustic of Cumaean Sibyl

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, May 1, 2017

The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presid... more The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presiding over the Apollonian oracle; she received the travelers to whom she predicted their future. The cave is length about 140 m, with trapezoidal section excavated in the rock of tuff; the height is about 4.5 m and large about 2.4 m. There is a little room, in the final part of the cave, where according to the legend, the Sibyl received the travelers. The acoustic measurements were done with an omnidirectional sound source in the in the little room and the microphones along the cave. The software for architectural acoustic were used to better understand the sound propagation in the cave. From acoustic measurements and numerical results it emerges that the voice emitted by an orator positioned in the room inside the Sybil cave, is understood in every tunnel point. This paper shows that the legend that this site was an oracle has true acoustical basis.

Acoustic virtual reconstruction of the Roman theater of Posillipo, Naples

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, May 1, 2017

On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was bu... more On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was built. This villa contained an odeon and a theater. Over the centuries, the villa was destroyed and only towards the end of the 800s, the discovery of some of the archaeological heritage of this site started. Today, the theater has the lower part of the cavea, while the scene and the stage have not been reconstructed yet. In the central part of the orchestra, there is a pool that was perhaps used for aquatic events. The purpose of this work is to reconstructi the acoustics of the theater as it appeared during the Imperial period. For this scope, a software for room acoustics was used. The acoustic measurements were carried out in situ for the evaluation of acoustic characteristics in the current state, and then the virtual model was tuned to the results of impulse response measurements. The acoustic analysis is finally carried out using the acoustic properties of the auditorium in its present state.

Optimizing Regression Models for Predicting Noise Pollution Caused by Road Traffic

Sustainability

The study focuses on addressing the growing concern of noise pollution resulting from increased t... more The study focuses on addressing the growing concern of noise pollution resulting from increased transportation. Effective strategies are necessary to mitigate the impact of noise pollution. The study utilizes noise regression models to estimate road-traffic-induced noise pollution. However, the availability and reliability of such models can be limited. To enhance the accuracy of predictions, optimization techniques are employed. A dataset encompassing various landscape configurations is generated, and three regression models (regression tree, support vector machines, and Gaussian process regression) are constructed for noise-pollution prediction. Optimization is performed by fine-tuning hyperparameters for each model. Performance measures such as mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2) are utilized to determine the optimal hyperparameter values. The results demonstrate that the optimization process significantly improves the mod...

Field Measurements and Human Perception to Remediate Noise Pollution in the Urban Public Parks in Saudi Arabia

Sustainability

The deleterious effects of noise pollution on public health have been well documented, with traff... more The deleterious effects of noise pollution on public health have been well documented, with traffic noise being identified as a significant contributor to stress and adverse impacts on the human body and mind. In this study, sound levels at 12 different points in Al-Oqailat Park in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, were measured using a sound level meter (SLM), with the study’s primary objective being to conduct this measurement. The experimental results were then compared with perception measurements collected from users who frequently visited Al-Oqailat park. Sound measurements were taken in four different zones (A, B, C, and D) during rush hours between 1:30 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. It was found that noise levels at point A1 peaked at 79 dBA at 4:40 p.m., while the lowest level recorded was 41.1 dBA at point D2 at 2:35 p.m. The range of noise levels varied between 79 and 41 dBA, with a rate of decline of 48.10%. Zones A and B seemed to have the highest noise levels during rush hours, since they ...

Data-driven urban building energy models for the platform of Toronto

Energy Efficiency

Increasing building efficiency is a key topic in territorial policies at different scales, for wh... more Increasing building efficiency is a key topic in territorial policies at different scales, for which new pathways and actions are progressively introduced. However, the evaluation of building consumptions according to energy features and urban and socio-economic variables is crucial to better assess building efficiency measures. This study presents a place-based statistical model for the evaluation of energy demand at the building scale, starting from disaggregating consumption values at the block level. The case study is the central district of Toronto (Ontario, Canada), part of the 2030 Toronto Platform. The existing interactive tool shows energy data only at the block scale, limiting specific evaluations and benchmarking. Therefore, the analysis presents a set of statistical models for assessing residential building consumption by archetypes. The aim of this study is to extend the application and visualisation of the energy demand of the whole city by GIS software. The statistical models underline more reliable results for electricity use, distinguished by appliances and space cooling. Low-rise apartments are the most challenging category to be assessed for appliance use. The variability of natural gas consumption does not allow to build only one model and values for apartment buildings are more variable for different construction ages.

Urban scale climate change adaptation through smart technologies

Elsevier eBooks, 2023

Proposal of a Simplified Tool for Early Acoustics Design Stage of Classrooms in Compliance with Speech Intelligibility Thresholds

Energies

The speech intelligibility properties of classrooms greatly influence the learning process of stu... more The speech intelligibility properties of classrooms greatly influence the learning process of students. Proper acoustics can promote the inclusion of foreign students and children with learning or hearing impairments. While awareness of the topic is increasing, there is still no parameter that can describe all aspects of speech transmission inside a room. This complicates the design of classrooms and requires designers to have extensive knowledge of theory and experience. In the scientific and technical literature, there is a lack of predictive tools, easy to use by designers, which can guide the choices in the early design stages in order to move towards technical solutions able to ensure adequate levels of speech intelligibility. For this reason, in this paper, the most relevant speech intelligibility parameters found in the literature were collected and discussed. Among these, the Clarity index and Speech Transmission Index were singled out as the most effective ones, whose predi...

Energy modelling and saving potential of polymeric solar-responsive thermochromic window films

Solar Energy

Windows are often considered the weakest components in the thermal envelope driven by their low t... more Windows are often considered the weakest components in the thermal envelope driven by their low thermal resistances and static transmittances to solar gains. While low-E coatings improve the former, climate-responsive coatings that adjust their thermo-optical properties in response to changing boundary conditions are promising to address the latter. In particular, thermochromic films are passive technologies that rely on intrinsic material properties to adapt to varying ambient conditions and are more accessible with simpler structures than their active counterparts; hence, they prevail for solar control applications. However, the nature of current building energy simulation tools imposes limitations on evaluating their performance. In this article, a 1-D transient heat transfer model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate the annual heating and cooling energy performance of thermochromic glazing while overcoming several limitations of current building energy simulation tools by accounting for spectral-selectivity, gradual transmittance change, hysteresis behaviour, and delayed switching time. The model was benchmarked against EnergyPlus, and the annual energy performance of a representative room was then evaluated for several double-glazing configurations, window-wall ratios, and exposures in the cold and hot climates of Toronto, ON and Abu Dhabi, UAE, respectively, while quantifying the effects of varying the hysteresis width and switching time. The results showed that commercial thermochromic glazing outperformed clear and low-E windows for both climate conditions. In particular, for a window-wall ratio of 80 % and compared to clear reference glazing, annual energy use intensity reductions up to 6.3 kWh/m 2 and 12 kWh/m 2 were realized in Toronto and Abu Dhabi, respectively, utilizing a glazing configuration that combined exterior thermochromic and interior low-E coated panes, where the latter helped in increasing the former&#39;s temperature causing it to switch at lower ambient temperatures.. While the typical 30-minute switching time of thermochromic coatings was found to increase the annual energy use intensity by up to 0.5 kWh/m 2 , a 5°C hysteresis reduced the annual cooling energy use intensity by up to 0.2 kWh/m 2 in Abu Dhabi. Less significant effects and savings were found for lower window-wall ratios, particularly in Toronto, where the coating rarely reached temperatures higher than 45°C.

Evaluation of the energy flexibility potential of radiant ceiling panels with thermal energy storage

Energy

This study focuses on evaluating the energy flexibility potential of an innovative cooling techno... more This study focuses on evaluating the energy flexibility potential of an innovative cooling technology that consists of a standard radiant ceiling panel incorporating macro-encapsulated phase change materials (PCM). The incorporated PCM allows shifting the energy demand for building cooling. A simulation case study is implemented to investigate the energy flexibility of an office building conditioned by the proposed system in a hot and humid climate. At first, the thermal storage properties of the macroencapsulated PCM were determined by using the standard ASTM C1784-20. The obtained properties were then used in a whole-building simulation model validated using measurements in a real size walkin chamber. Three different performance indicators were used to quantify energy flexibility: available storage capacity, storage efficiency, and power shifting capacity. Results show that with an average panel to ceiling ratio of around 66%, the radiant ceiling panel has an average sensible heat storage capacity of around 430 Wh/m 2 day and average annual storage efficiency of 86%. Results also show that the proposed system can shift the electric power demand for conditioning by 8 h compared to a conventional all-air system. These results confirm the benefit for implementing Demand-Side Management strategies that can exploit the energy demand flexibility of radiant ceiling panels incorporating PCM.

The Evolution of the Acoustics of a Medieval Church

Canadian Acoustics, 2020

This paper presents the study of the intervention for the acoustic correction of a Medieval churc... more This paper presents the study of the intervention for the acoustic correction of a Medieval church, the cathedral of Carinola in Italy. The investigated church built on site where a Paleochristian church existed, was completed between the XIV and the XV century. The hard materials, including a marble floor and hard plastered walls, make its reverberation time of almost 5 sec. at low frequency and over 3 sec. at mid frequencies, resulting in poor speech comprehension. As common in ancient worship heritage, the acoustic improvement interventions were challenged by the denial of using conventional sound-absorbing materials due to aesthetic and architectural reasons. The intervention aimed to shortening the reverberation time by substituting the plaster with sound absorbing plaster. Acoustic simulation results are reported and the homogeneity of acoustic parameters across the floor plan is discussed.

Comparison of the acoustic behaviour of porous materials in compressed and uncompressed conditions

Conventional methods to evaluate the absorption coefficient of materials use either a large rever... more Conventional methods to evaluate the absorption coefficient of materials use either a large reverberation room or wave guides such as standing-wave tubes or impedance tubes. These last methods have recently been extended so that other material properties such as airflow resistivity can also be evaluated using the same tubes. An advantage of the impedance tubes is that they can also be used to measure the acoustical and non-acoustical properties when the materials are under compression. The current study investigates the differences between two-microphone systems and three-microphone systems, and assess both the absorption coefficient and the flow resistivity of porous materials such as rock wool and fibreglass in both compressed and uncompressed conditions. Finally, the results of the study are discussed.

Current and future coating technologies for architectural glazing applications

Energy and Buildings, 2021

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art coating techn... more Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art coating technologies for glazing applications. The main objective is to collect and present current commercially available technologies on today's market and future research prototypes to identify the most promising coating technologies. Several static coating technologies with fixed optical properties are compared, including low emissivity, electrothermal and photothermal coatings. Low-E coatings are the current industry standard and have almost reached their full energy-saving potential. Hence, electrothermal coatings that convert electricity to heat by the Joule effect are discussed, together with their limitations of needed power supply. To overcome these issues, photothermal coatings have been proposed to improve the glazing thermal performance by absorption of ultra-violet and near-infrared radiation. On the other hand, dynamic coatings can modulate solar gains by switching between clear and tinted states in response to external stimuli. Electrochromic and gasochromic coatings are still limited by high costs. In comparison, photochromic and thermochromic coatings are more accessible and less complex passive technologies, although photochromic coatings are still hindered by low bleaching rates and poor cyclic stabilities. In comparison, thermochromic coatings are more mature, especially those based on vanadium dioxide. This review shows that both static and dynamic technologies thrive to enhance optical and thermal performances while providing an opportunity for the realization of durable next-generation dynamic windows. In particular, the development of passive dynamic hybrid photo-thermochromic coatings seems the most promising trajectory.

The acoustic of Roman theatres in Southern Italy and some reflections for their modern uses

Applied Acoustics, 2020

Ancient Roman theatres represent a unique cultural heritage which is still used nowadays to host ... more Ancient Roman theatres represent a unique cultural heritage which is still used nowadays to host a variety of cultural activities and performances. Acoustic measurements show that the acoustics of these theatres does not always support the listening of music, which is common in modern performances. Although the acoustics of these theatres for modern use performances may be challenging, this cultural heritage offers a unique experience to the audience who can assist to a performance on the same seats once used by Romans. Nowadays, these unroofed theatres, whose walls behind and at the sides of the stage have rarely been restored, are often criticized for the weak sound strength. Moreover, these theatres are often exposed to urban modern background noise. The significant sound absorption due to the presence of the audience on the seating area (named cavea) and to the tapestries used in modern scenes makes challenging to support the acoustic reverberation in these theatres. In this paper, these aspects are described focusing on five ancient Roman theatres located in Southern Italy. The study reports acoustic measurements followed by virtual simulation results. As it was impossible to perform acoustic measurements with full audience occupancy, the presence of the audience was simulated using room acoustic software. The paper compares the acoustic characteristics of these five theatres considering their architectural characteristics, and discusses the role that the material used for their restoration had on their acoustics. Finally, some considerations about some reversible interventions to improve the acoustics of these ancient theatres for modern uses are reported.

Analysis of the energy and thermal performance of a radiant cooling panel system with integrated phase change materials in very hot and humid conditions

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2019

This study evaluates the energy and thermal performance of a radiant cooling panel system with in... more This study evaluates the energy and thermal performance of a radiant cooling panel system with integrated phase change materials (PCMs) for application in building retrofit projects. The focus is on the energy saving potential of using two different strategies to avoid condensation in very hot and humid climate conditions. The cooling energy consumption of a DOE medium office prototype building model with a conventional all-air system is used as a baseline for comparing the proposed configurations. The results show that the radiant system yielded energy savings of around 48% compared to the all-air system for existing office buildings. Results also show that the proposed system is able to operate only during the night-time, which improves the plant efficiency. Thus, the energy savings are mainly due to a reduction in the energy consumption of the cold generation system and lower energy use for ventilation compared with conventional air systems.

Additive manufacturing for minimizing vibration damages in the water-stop tray of washing machines

Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control, 2017

The present work aims to study the water-stop tray, a front-loading component of a washing machin... more The present work aims to study the water-stop tray, a front-loading component of a washing machine. As most of the components of washing machines, the water-stop tray suffers significant vibrations especially when the spin speed increases. A vibrational analysis of the current typical design was realized. Then, four modified trays were investigated and a hammer impulse response was recorded using 13 accelerometers in order to measure the frequency response of each tray. The results allow to identify the key parameters that affect the vibrational response of a water-stop tray. Finally, the comparative analysis among the different designs allows to select the tray with the lowest vibration amplitude.

The acoustic of Cumaean Sibyl

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2017

The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presid... more The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presiding over the Apollonian oracle; she received the travelers to whom she predicted their future. The cave is length about 140 m, with trapezoidal section excavated in the rock of tuff; the height is about 4.5 m and large about 2.4 m. There is a little room, in the final part of the cave, where according to the legend, the Sibyl received the travelers. The acoustic measurements were done with an omnidirectional sound source in the in the little room and the microphones along the cave. The software for architectural acoustic were used to better understand the sound propagation in the cave. From acoustic measurements and numerical results it emerges that the voice emitted by an orator positioned in the room inside the Sybil cave, is understood in every tunnel point. This paper shows that the legend that this site was an oracle has true acoustical basis.

Acoustic virtual reconstruction of the Roman theater of Posillipo, Naples

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2017

On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was bu... more On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was built. This villa contained an odeon and a theater. Over the centuries, the villa was destroyed and only towards the end of the 800, the discovery of some of the archaeological heritage of this site started. Today, the theater has the lower part of the cavea, while the scene and the stage have not been reconstructed yet. In the central part of the orchestra, there is a pool that was perhaps used for aquatic events. The purpose of this work is to reconstructi the acoustics of the theater as it appeared during the Imperial period. For this scope, a software for room acoustics was used. The acoustic measurements were carried out in situ for the evaluation of acoustic characteristics in the current state, and then the virtual model was tuned to the results of impulse response measurements. The acoustic analysis is finally carried out using the acoustic properties of the auditorium in its prese...

System identification, health monitoring, and control design of smart structures and materials

Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2017

Summer outdoor thermal risk area mapping on a university campus in Auckland New Zealand

Architectural Science Review, 2025

Outdoor thermal risks in urban areas are increasingly critical due to climate change and urbaniza... more Outdoor thermal risks in urban areas are increasingly critical due to climate change and urbanization.
This study identifies high-risk areas at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, using a multilayered
approach integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Locations with Physiologically Equivalent
Temperature (PET) exceeding 23°C were analyzed alongside user density and survey-based vulnerability
assessments, pinpointing two high-risk zones. Future projections for 2050 and 2080 (RCP 4.5 and RCP
8.5 scenarios) indicate rising PET levels, amplifying thermal discomfort. Mitigation strategies, including
green walls and tree planting, demonstrated PET reductions of 2°C and 3°C, respectively, under current
conditions. These findings underscore the critical role of greenery in enhancing outdoor thermal
comfort and resilience. The study’s replicable methodology offers urban planners a practical framework
for addressing thermal risks and adapting outdoor spaces to climate change impacts, fostering urban
livability.

Full-scale assessment of a liquid CsWO3-SnO2 near-infrared shielding coating and a nanoceramic WO3 photochromic window film for in-situ window retrofits

Windows play a pivotal role in building design by providing daylight, solar heat gains, and natur... more Windows play a pivotal role in building design by providing daylight, solar heat gains, and natural ventilation. However, older buildings with outdated windows and inadequate solar control suffer from overheating, discomfort glare, and high cooling costs. While replacing existing windows with high-performance products can significantly boost energy efficiency and occupant comfort, the associated costs can be prohibitive. Consequently, retrofit technologies that utilize existing glass panes and frames offer a compelling solution. This paper investigates the thermal, energy, and daylight performance of two innovative window retrofit technologies
relative to a clear reference tested simultaneously at the BeTOP outdoor test cells in Toronto, ON-a vicinity with distinct warm summers and cold winters. The retrofits included a near-infrared absorbing CsWO3-SnO2 nanosuspension
and a nanoceramic WO3-based photochromic window film with dynamic absorptance to visible radiation. The low-cost technologies were applied directly to interior glass surfaces, allowing for swift installation with minimal occupancy interruption. The results show that retrofitting existing glass did not significantly influence the equivalent thermal transmittance but significant reductions in the equivalent solar factor and solar transmittance were observed. Although the retrofits did not significantly influence the energy consumption in
this particular setting due to Toronto’s cold climate and the adopted low window-wall ratio (10%), they contributed to the mitigation of overheating indicated by up to 50% reduction in the percentage of people dissatisfied. Furthermore, the photochromic film significantly improved visual comfort indicated by a 10%–17% improvement in the useful daylight illuminance and a 9% reduction in peak discomfort glare probability.

The acoustic of Cumaean Sibyl

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, May 1, 2017

The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presid... more The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presiding over the Apollonian oracle; she received the travelers to whom she predicted their future. The cave is length about 140 m, with trapezoidal section excavated in the rock of tuff; the height is about 4.5 m and large about 2.4 m. There is a little room, in the final part of the cave, where according to the legend, the Sibyl received the travelers. The acoustic measurements were done with an omnidirectional sound source in the in the little room and the microphones along the cave. The software for architectural acoustic were used to better understand the sound propagation in the cave. From acoustic measurements and numerical results it emerges that the voice emitted by an orator positioned in the room inside the Sybil cave, is understood in every tunnel point. This paper shows that the legend that this site was an oracle has true acoustical basis.

Acoustic virtual reconstruction of the Roman theater of Posillipo, Naples

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, May 1, 2017

On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was bu... more On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was built. This villa contained an odeon and a theater. Over the centuries, the villa was destroyed and only towards the end of the 800s, the discovery of some of the archaeological heritage of this site started. Today, the theater has the lower part of the cavea, while the scene and the stage have not been reconstructed yet. In the central part of the orchestra, there is a pool that was perhaps used for aquatic events. The purpose of this work is to reconstructi the acoustics of the theater as it appeared during the Imperial period. For this scope, a software for room acoustics was used. The acoustic measurements were carried out in situ for the evaluation of acoustic characteristics in the current state, and then the virtual model was tuned to the results of impulse response measurements. The acoustic analysis is finally carried out using the acoustic properties of the auditorium in its present state.

Optimizing Regression Models for Predicting Noise Pollution Caused by Road Traffic

Sustainability

The study focuses on addressing the growing concern of noise pollution resulting from increased t... more The study focuses on addressing the growing concern of noise pollution resulting from increased transportation. Effective strategies are necessary to mitigate the impact of noise pollution. The study utilizes noise regression models to estimate road-traffic-induced noise pollution. However, the availability and reliability of such models can be limited. To enhance the accuracy of predictions, optimization techniques are employed. A dataset encompassing various landscape configurations is generated, and three regression models (regression tree, support vector machines, and Gaussian process regression) are constructed for noise-pollution prediction. Optimization is performed by fine-tuning hyperparameters for each model. Performance measures such as mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2) are utilized to determine the optimal hyperparameter values. The results demonstrate that the optimization process significantly improves the mod...

Field Measurements and Human Perception to Remediate Noise Pollution in the Urban Public Parks in Saudi Arabia

Sustainability

The deleterious effects of noise pollution on public health have been well documented, with traff... more The deleterious effects of noise pollution on public health have been well documented, with traffic noise being identified as a significant contributor to stress and adverse impacts on the human body and mind. In this study, sound levels at 12 different points in Al-Oqailat Park in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, were measured using a sound level meter (SLM), with the study’s primary objective being to conduct this measurement. The experimental results were then compared with perception measurements collected from users who frequently visited Al-Oqailat park. Sound measurements were taken in four different zones (A, B, C, and D) during rush hours between 1:30 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. It was found that noise levels at point A1 peaked at 79 dBA at 4:40 p.m., while the lowest level recorded was 41.1 dBA at point D2 at 2:35 p.m. The range of noise levels varied between 79 and 41 dBA, with a rate of decline of 48.10%. Zones A and B seemed to have the highest noise levels during rush hours, since they ...

Data-driven urban building energy models for the platform of Toronto

Energy Efficiency

Increasing building efficiency is a key topic in territorial policies at different scales, for wh... more Increasing building efficiency is a key topic in territorial policies at different scales, for which new pathways and actions are progressively introduced. However, the evaluation of building consumptions according to energy features and urban and socio-economic variables is crucial to better assess building efficiency measures. This study presents a place-based statistical model for the evaluation of energy demand at the building scale, starting from disaggregating consumption values at the block level. The case study is the central district of Toronto (Ontario, Canada), part of the 2030 Toronto Platform. The existing interactive tool shows energy data only at the block scale, limiting specific evaluations and benchmarking. Therefore, the analysis presents a set of statistical models for assessing residential building consumption by archetypes. The aim of this study is to extend the application and visualisation of the energy demand of the whole city by GIS software. The statistical models underline more reliable results for electricity use, distinguished by appliances and space cooling. Low-rise apartments are the most challenging category to be assessed for appliance use. The variability of natural gas consumption does not allow to build only one model and values for apartment buildings are more variable for different construction ages.

Urban scale climate change adaptation through smart technologies

Elsevier eBooks, 2023

Proposal of a Simplified Tool for Early Acoustics Design Stage of Classrooms in Compliance with Speech Intelligibility Thresholds

Energies

The speech intelligibility properties of classrooms greatly influence the learning process of stu... more The speech intelligibility properties of classrooms greatly influence the learning process of students. Proper acoustics can promote the inclusion of foreign students and children with learning or hearing impairments. While awareness of the topic is increasing, there is still no parameter that can describe all aspects of speech transmission inside a room. This complicates the design of classrooms and requires designers to have extensive knowledge of theory and experience. In the scientific and technical literature, there is a lack of predictive tools, easy to use by designers, which can guide the choices in the early design stages in order to move towards technical solutions able to ensure adequate levels of speech intelligibility. For this reason, in this paper, the most relevant speech intelligibility parameters found in the literature were collected and discussed. Among these, the Clarity index and Speech Transmission Index were singled out as the most effective ones, whose predi...

Energy modelling and saving potential of polymeric solar-responsive thermochromic window films

Solar Energy

Windows are often considered the weakest components in the thermal envelope driven by their low t... more Windows are often considered the weakest components in the thermal envelope driven by their low thermal resistances and static transmittances to solar gains. While low-E coatings improve the former, climate-responsive coatings that adjust their thermo-optical properties in response to changing boundary conditions are promising to address the latter. In particular, thermochromic films are passive technologies that rely on intrinsic material properties to adapt to varying ambient conditions and are more accessible with simpler structures than their active counterparts; hence, they prevail for solar control applications. However, the nature of current building energy simulation tools imposes limitations on evaluating their performance. In this article, a 1-D transient heat transfer model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate the annual heating and cooling energy performance of thermochromic glazing while overcoming several limitations of current building energy simulation tools by accounting for spectral-selectivity, gradual transmittance change, hysteresis behaviour, and delayed switching time. The model was benchmarked against EnergyPlus, and the annual energy performance of a representative room was then evaluated for several double-glazing configurations, window-wall ratios, and exposures in the cold and hot climates of Toronto, ON and Abu Dhabi, UAE, respectively, while quantifying the effects of varying the hysteresis width and switching time. The results showed that commercial thermochromic glazing outperformed clear and low-E windows for both climate conditions. In particular, for a window-wall ratio of 80 % and compared to clear reference glazing, annual energy use intensity reductions up to 6.3 kWh/m 2 and 12 kWh/m 2 were realized in Toronto and Abu Dhabi, respectively, utilizing a glazing configuration that combined exterior thermochromic and interior low-E coated panes, where the latter helped in increasing the former&#39;s temperature causing it to switch at lower ambient temperatures.. While the typical 30-minute switching time of thermochromic coatings was found to increase the annual energy use intensity by up to 0.5 kWh/m 2 , a 5°C hysteresis reduced the annual cooling energy use intensity by up to 0.2 kWh/m 2 in Abu Dhabi. Less significant effects and savings were found for lower window-wall ratios, particularly in Toronto, where the coating rarely reached temperatures higher than 45°C.

Evaluation of the energy flexibility potential of radiant ceiling panels with thermal energy storage

Energy

This study focuses on evaluating the energy flexibility potential of an innovative cooling techno... more This study focuses on evaluating the energy flexibility potential of an innovative cooling technology that consists of a standard radiant ceiling panel incorporating macro-encapsulated phase change materials (PCM). The incorporated PCM allows shifting the energy demand for building cooling. A simulation case study is implemented to investigate the energy flexibility of an office building conditioned by the proposed system in a hot and humid climate. At first, the thermal storage properties of the macroencapsulated PCM were determined by using the standard ASTM C1784-20. The obtained properties were then used in a whole-building simulation model validated using measurements in a real size walkin chamber. Three different performance indicators were used to quantify energy flexibility: available storage capacity, storage efficiency, and power shifting capacity. Results show that with an average panel to ceiling ratio of around 66%, the radiant ceiling panel has an average sensible heat storage capacity of around 430 Wh/m 2 day and average annual storage efficiency of 86%. Results also show that the proposed system can shift the electric power demand for conditioning by 8 h compared to a conventional all-air system. These results confirm the benefit for implementing Demand-Side Management strategies that can exploit the energy demand flexibility of radiant ceiling panels incorporating PCM.

The Evolution of the Acoustics of a Medieval Church

Canadian Acoustics, 2020

This paper presents the study of the intervention for the acoustic correction of a Medieval churc... more This paper presents the study of the intervention for the acoustic correction of a Medieval church, the cathedral of Carinola in Italy. The investigated church built on site where a Paleochristian church existed, was completed between the XIV and the XV century. The hard materials, including a marble floor and hard plastered walls, make its reverberation time of almost 5 sec. at low frequency and over 3 sec. at mid frequencies, resulting in poor speech comprehension. As common in ancient worship heritage, the acoustic improvement interventions were challenged by the denial of using conventional sound-absorbing materials due to aesthetic and architectural reasons. The intervention aimed to shortening the reverberation time by substituting the plaster with sound absorbing plaster. Acoustic simulation results are reported and the homogeneity of acoustic parameters across the floor plan is discussed.

Comparison of the acoustic behaviour of porous materials in compressed and uncompressed conditions

Conventional methods to evaluate the absorption coefficient of materials use either a large rever... more Conventional methods to evaluate the absorption coefficient of materials use either a large reverberation room or wave guides such as standing-wave tubes or impedance tubes. These last methods have recently been extended so that other material properties such as airflow resistivity can also be evaluated using the same tubes. An advantage of the impedance tubes is that they can also be used to measure the acoustical and non-acoustical properties when the materials are under compression. The current study investigates the differences between two-microphone systems and three-microphone systems, and assess both the absorption coefficient and the flow resistivity of porous materials such as rock wool and fibreglass in both compressed and uncompressed conditions. Finally, the results of the study are discussed.

Current and future coating technologies for architectural glazing applications

Energy and Buildings, 2021

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art coating techn... more Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art coating technologies for glazing applications. The main objective is to collect and present current commercially available technologies on today's market and future research prototypes to identify the most promising coating technologies. Several static coating technologies with fixed optical properties are compared, including low emissivity, electrothermal and photothermal coatings. Low-E coatings are the current industry standard and have almost reached their full energy-saving potential. Hence, electrothermal coatings that convert electricity to heat by the Joule effect are discussed, together with their limitations of needed power supply. To overcome these issues, photothermal coatings have been proposed to improve the glazing thermal performance by absorption of ultra-violet and near-infrared radiation. On the other hand, dynamic coatings can modulate solar gains by switching between clear and tinted states in response to external stimuli. Electrochromic and gasochromic coatings are still limited by high costs. In comparison, photochromic and thermochromic coatings are more accessible and less complex passive technologies, although photochromic coatings are still hindered by low bleaching rates and poor cyclic stabilities. In comparison, thermochromic coatings are more mature, especially those based on vanadium dioxide. This review shows that both static and dynamic technologies thrive to enhance optical and thermal performances while providing an opportunity for the realization of durable next-generation dynamic windows. In particular, the development of passive dynamic hybrid photo-thermochromic coatings seems the most promising trajectory.

The acoustic of Roman theatres in Southern Italy and some reflections for their modern uses

Applied Acoustics, 2020

Ancient Roman theatres represent a unique cultural heritage which is still used nowadays to host ... more Ancient Roman theatres represent a unique cultural heritage which is still used nowadays to host a variety of cultural activities and performances. Acoustic measurements show that the acoustics of these theatres does not always support the listening of music, which is common in modern performances. Although the acoustics of these theatres for modern use performances may be challenging, this cultural heritage offers a unique experience to the audience who can assist to a performance on the same seats once used by Romans. Nowadays, these unroofed theatres, whose walls behind and at the sides of the stage have rarely been restored, are often criticized for the weak sound strength. Moreover, these theatres are often exposed to urban modern background noise. The significant sound absorption due to the presence of the audience on the seating area (named cavea) and to the tapestries used in modern scenes makes challenging to support the acoustic reverberation in these theatres. In this paper, these aspects are described focusing on five ancient Roman theatres located in Southern Italy. The study reports acoustic measurements followed by virtual simulation results. As it was impossible to perform acoustic measurements with full audience occupancy, the presence of the audience was simulated using room acoustic software. The paper compares the acoustic characteristics of these five theatres considering their architectural characteristics, and discusses the role that the material used for their restoration had on their acoustics. Finally, some considerations about some reversible interventions to improve the acoustics of these ancient theatres for modern uses are reported.

Analysis of the energy and thermal performance of a radiant cooling panel system with integrated phase change materials in very hot and humid conditions

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2019

This study evaluates the energy and thermal performance of a radiant cooling panel system with in... more This study evaluates the energy and thermal performance of a radiant cooling panel system with integrated phase change materials (PCMs) for application in building retrofit projects. The focus is on the energy saving potential of using two different strategies to avoid condensation in very hot and humid climate conditions. The cooling energy consumption of a DOE medium office prototype building model with a conventional all-air system is used as a baseline for comparing the proposed configurations. The results show that the radiant system yielded energy savings of around 48% compared to the all-air system for existing office buildings. Results also show that the proposed system is able to operate only during the night-time, which improves the plant efficiency. Thus, the energy savings are mainly due to a reduction in the energy consumption of the cold generation system and lower energy use for ventilation compared with conventional air systems.

Additive manufacturing for minimizing vibration damages in the water-stop tray of washing machines

Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control, 2017

The present work aims to study the water-stop tray, a front-loading component of a washing machin... more The present work aims to study the water-stop tray, a front-loading component of a washing machine. As most of the components of washing machines, the water-stop tray suffers significant vibrations especially when the spin speed increases. A vibrational analysis of the current typical design was realized. Then, four modified trays were investigated and a hammer impulse response was recorded using 13 accelerometers in order to measure the frequency response of each tray. The results allow to identify the key parameters that affect the vibrational response of a water-stop tray. Finally, the comparative analysis among the different designs allows to select the tray with the lowest vibration amplitude.

The acoustic of Cumaean Sibyl

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2017

The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presid... more The Cumaean Sibyl cave is a place in the north of Naples, Italy. The Sibyl was a priestess presiding over the Apollonian oracle; she received the travelers to whom she predicted their future. The cave is length about 140 m, with trapezoidal section excavated in the rock of tuff; the height is about 4.5 m and large about 2.4 m. There is a little room, in the final part of the cave, where according to the legend, the Sibyl received the travelers. The acoustic measurements were done with an omnidirectional sound source in the in the little room and the microphones along the cave. The software for architectural acoustic were used to better understand the sound propagation in the cave. From acoustic measurements and numerical results it emerges that the voice emitted by an orator positioned in the room inside the Sybil cave, is understood in every tunnel point. This paper shows that the legend that this site was an oracle has true acoustical basis.

Acoustic virtual reconstruction of the Roman theater of Posillipo, Naples

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2017

On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was bu... more On the Hill of Posillipo, during the Imperial times, a sumptuous villa overlooking the sea was built. This villa contained an odeon and a theater. Over the centuries, the villa was destroyed and only towards the end of the 800, the discovery of some of the archaeological heritage of this site started. Today, the theater has the lower part of the cavea, while the scene and the stage have not been reconstructed yet. In the central part of the orchestra, there is a pool that was perhaps used for aquatic events. The purpose of this work is to reconstructi the acoustics of the theater as it appeared during the Imperial period. For this scope, a software for room acoustics was used. The acoustic measurements were carried out in situ for the evaluation of acoustic characteristics in the current state, and then the virtual model was tuned to the results of impulse response measurements. The acoustic analysis is finally carried out using the acoustic properties of the auditorium in its prese...

System identification, health monitoring, and control design of smart structures and materials

Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2017

SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENTS OF BUILDINGS

SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF BUILDINGS, COMMUNITIES AND CITIES

Assessing and Measuring Environmental Impact and Sustainability" (ed. Jiri Klemeš), Elsevier, 201... more

LA PROGETTAZIONE ACUSTICA DELLE CHIESE

Moving to Sustainable Buildings: Paths to Adopt Green Innovations in Developed Countries

free download of each chapter from: <http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/208294> *** ***... more free download of each chapter from: <http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/208294>

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In his Moving to Sustainable Buildings. Paths to Adopt Green Innovations in Developed Countries, Umberto Berardi explores the transition of the construction sector to sustainable building through the adoption of green innovations. Applying methods ranging from theoretical discussions to interviews and field studies, Berardi describes how organisational models among stakeholders are changing as the sector moves towards a green economy.

Berardi’s book should prove valuable to engineers, architects, environment researchers and policy makers alike, as it successfully weaves together different aspects of green building to create a multidimensional matrix through which sustainable architecture can be understood.

Umberto Berardi, an assistant professor at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA, USA), teaches courses on sustainable construction, architectural engineering systems and building physics. He was awarded an MSc from the Politecnico di Bari, an MSc from the University of Southampton (UK) and a PhD from the Scuola Interpolitecnica in Italy. His research areas are related to building acoustics, sustainable constructions and energy saving technologies for buildings. Berardi is also a passionate pianist and a strong proponent of interdisciplinary cooperation between the arts and engineering.