Browsing by Author "Taki, Ahmad"

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    A Delphi Exploration of Construction Digitalisation in South Africa
    (Construction in the 21st Century (CITC), 2023-05-11) Aghimien, Douglas; Aigbavboa, Clinton; Oke, Ayodeji; Oladinrin, Olugbenga; Taki, Ahmad
    The current technological advancement has rapidly transformed how industries worldwide deliver their products, and the construction industry is not immune to this transformation. However, while the industry in developed countries is gradually picking up with the use of digital technologies in attaining digital transformation, the construction industry in developing countries like South Africa is still lagging in its adoption. Therefore, to promote construction digitalisation within the South African construction industry, this study, through a Delphi approach, unearths the major risks construction organisations will face in their quest for digital transformation. The study also explored the potential of the country’s construction industry to be fully digitalised and the demerits of the industry not being digitally transformed. Using appropriate statistical tools, the study found that while the South African construction industry has a high potential to be digitalised, this digital transformation can take a long time to be achieved. Data insecurity and information overload are among the critical risks that organisations seeking digital transformation might have to face. However, should these organisations fail to implement digital strategies in the delivery of their projects, they risk having a lack of competitiveness in the global market and an increase in poor project delivery.
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    The Effect of Degradation on Cold Climate Building Energy Performance: A Comparison with Hot Climate Buildings
    (MDPI, 2023-04-07) Taki, Ahmad; Zakharanka, Anastasiya
    The issues of reducing energy consumption in buildings and their decarbonisation are currently among the most pressing. However, such an important aspect of the problem under discussion as the impact of unavoidable degradation processes on energy demand in buildings remains poorly understood. In addition, there are only a limited number of practical guidelines that can be used to take this factor into account at the design stage and during the further operation of buildings. The aim of this work was to assess the potential impact of component degradation and ageing on heating energy consumption in buildings, including insulated glass units, thermal insulation, airtightness, heat recovery of mechanical ventilation systems, and photovoltaic modules. The detached and apartment buildings were considered to be in a cold climate in the context of the Republic of Belarus. The study was based on simulation research using EnergyPlus. As a result, it was found that a possible increase in heating energy consumption might reach 17.6–61.2% over 25 years in detached houses and up to 23.6–89.8% in apartment buildings. These indicators turned out to be higher than the previously identified values for cooling energy consumption in a hot–humid climate. Based on the findings, recommendations for considering the degradation factor in cold climates in practice were developed, which were compared and integrated into the author’s existing guidelines.
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    Examining Mashrabiya’s Impact on Energy Efficiency and Cultural Aspects in Saudi Arabia
    (MDPI, 2023-06-26) Taki, Ahmad; Kumari, Haripriya
    The traditional and indigenous architecture in Saudi Arabia is being replaced by modern, Western-style buildings, resulting from the growing influence of Western culture. This change is evident in architectural elements such as Mashrabiya, which was once a symbol of the country’s Islamic architecture. The research paper aims to analyse the impact of modernization and the resurgence of Mashrabiya on a building’s energy efficiency, as well as the cultural and religious integrity of its historical counterpart in the context of Saudi Arabia. The study employed mixed research methods, including an online survey with Saudi Arabian households to study the public perception of Mashrabiya, case studies of residences with traditional and modern Mashrabiya, and a range of dynamic thermal simulations on a residence with traditional Mashrabiya to study its impact on energy consumption. The survey revealed that the public is aware of the changing face of Mashrabiya and its impact on the cultural and religious identity of the region, mainly privacy, but it is largely uninformed about ways to preserve its true essence. The simulations demonstrated a significant improvement in thermal comfort, i.e., an approximate 14% reduction in operative temperature and a 77.8% reduction in peak solar gain; an improvement in energy efficiency, i.e., a 5.7% reduction in monthly cooling load and a 35.5% improvement in daylight factor. Based on the findings, the research provides several recommendations to preserve the identity of traditional Mashrabiya while enhancing their energy efficiency, such as the incorporation of traditional design elements into the plans of the Saudi Arabian government.
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    Mitigating Overheating Risks for Modern Flats in London Due to Climate Change
    (MDPI, 2023-10-28) Taki, Ahmad; Jariwala, Mansi
    With the increase in global temperatures, a significant threat of overheating has been reported due to more frequent and severe heatwaves in the UK housing stock. This research analyzes dwellings’ physical attributes through overheating assessments and their adaptation for modern flats in London in the current (2022) and anticipated (2050) weather. According to preliminary research, Southeast and London in England, mid-terraced, and flats (especially built post 2012), among other archetypes, were discovered to be the most susceptible to overheating in the UK. This study employed a case study of a 2015 modern flat located in a high-risk overheating zone in London to understand the building’s overheating exposure. A range of Dynamic Thermal Simulations (DTS) was conducted using EnergyPlus with reference to case studies in order to assess the performance of passive cooling mitigation strategies (PCMS) on peak summer days (15 July) as well as during the summer against CIBSE Guide A and ASHARE 55. Reduced window area and LoE triple glazing were identified as excellent mitigation prototypes, in which solar gains through exterior glazing were reduced by 85.5% due to triple glazing. Zone sensible cooling was reduced by 52%, which minimized CO2 emissions. It was also identified that the final retrofit model passed CIBSE Guide A by achieving a temperature threshold of 20 C to 25 C during the summer months, whereas it failed to accomplish the ASHARE 55 criteria (20–24 C). The outcome of this study justifies the necessity of tested PCMS and advises UK policymakers on how to foster resilient housing plans to overcome overheating issues.
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    Retrofit Strategies for Alleviating Fuel Poverty and Improving Subjective Well-Being in the UK’s Social Housing
    (MDPI, 2024-01-23) Shwashreh, Leena; Taki, Ahmad; Kagioglou, Mike
    This research delves into the intricate realm of social housing flat units within tower blocks in Leicester, as a microcosm that serves as a perfect reflection of the larger problem of fuel poverty among social housing systems within the UK. The multifaceted approach intertwines energy efficiency upgrades, indoor comfort, and resident satisfaction. Rooted in a comprehensive methodology, this research seeks to address pressing societal challenges within these architectural projects, from fuel poverty and well-being to environmental sustainability and social justice. Through surveys, interviews, audits, simulations, and detailed analyses of summer and winter thermal performance, this study navigates the complex interplay of factors that influence retrofit success. The findings underscore the transformative potential of comprehensive retrofit measures and the paramount importance of resident engagement while offering a potential holistic checklist for future projects. This research paves the way for future studies encompassing contextual diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term impact assessment. As it advances, these findings guide the commitment to fostering positive change, enhancing lives, and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future in social housing retrofit endeavours.
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    Reuse of landfilled rice waste for low-carbon construction of dwellings.
    (2023-06-30) Onyenokporo, Nwakaego C; Taki, Ahmad; Zapata, Luis
    With the cement industry responsible for about 7% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally, the use of supplementary cementitious materials for construction can provide a partial solution. Research reports that it would take about 1.58 billion tonnes of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) used annually to eliminate 1 billion tonnes of CO2 from the processing of cement. Rice husks are agricultural waste materials produced in tropical countries. In Nigeria, up to 8 million tonnes of rice are produced annually, of which 20–23% are rice husks, which are landfilled and take a long time to biodegrade thereby constituting land pollution. This study focuses on the use of these landfilled rice wastes, which have no economic value, to address the negative impact of cement production and the excessive production and disposal of this waste material. The research employed an experimental study to investigate the effect of rice husk ash on masonry blocks. Rice husks were burnt in a controlled manner, and the RHA obtained was characterised via X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence to quantify its physicochemical properties. Density, compressive strength, water absorption, and strength activity index were determined after 28 days of curing. Thermal characterization shows up to 18% improvement in the thermal resistance of the blended masonry unit with 15% RHA additions weight of cement. The effect of this on the building envelope will be substantial in terms of building energy consumption to address heat gains or losses through the building envelope. Also, the reuse of this waste material for low-carbon construction will help address the negative impact resulting from cement production and utilisation by the building industry, reduce landfilled waste, and also encourage a circular economy. Furthermore, this study will contribute to existing knowledge on affordable building materials and provide a solution to the massive housing deficits in Nigeria.
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    Thermal performance characterization of cement-based masonry blocks incorporating rice husk ash
    (Elsevier, 2023-07-21) Onyenokporo, Nwakaego; Taki, Ahmad; Zapata, Luis; Oyinlola, M. A.
    Owing to climate change and its effects, interest has grown in finding alternative building materials to improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes and reduce CO2 emissions and costs. This study focuses on the thermal performance of cement-based masonry blocks, which are popular in many parts of the world for masonry wall construction. Masonry blocks were incorporated with rice husks, which are agricultural wastes commonly found in tropical countries and are usually dumped in landfills. Previous research on the use of rice husk ash (RHA) for construction purposes has focused on the durability properties of the product without much consideration for properties such as thermal conductivity or thermal transmittance coefficient (U-value), which are important for quantifying the overall energy performance of buildings. High U-values of building elements typically result in high heat gains in tropical countries, which increases the use of mechanical cooling systems to improve occupants’ thermal comfort, thereby increasing building energy consumption. The study involved an experimental investigation using the laboratory hot box and heat flow metre method for U-value measurements in accordance with BS EN ISO 8990 and 9869. Several samples were prepared by partially replacing Portland cement with 5%, 10%, and 15% RHA by weight of cement. The results reflect up to a 17% reduction in the U values and thermal conductivities of all block samples. The lowest value of 3.04 W/m2K was obtained from RHA 15% compared to 3.67 W/m2K from the control sample. The results of this study show the prospects of improving building energy consumption, occupants’ thermal comfort, and building CO2 emissions using masonry blocks incorporating RHA for external building walls in tropical countries.
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    Unearthing the outcomes of construction digitalisation – a South African perspective
    (Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2023-07-24) Aghimien, Douglas; Aigbavboa, Clinton; Oke, Ayodeji; Taki, Ahmad
    For most construction organisations in developing countries like South Africa, embracing digitalisation is constrained by the absence of evidence pointing to the outcome features of using digital technologies. This study, therefore, set out to unearth the potential outcomes of construction digitalisation by drawing from the perspective of construction professionals in diverse construction-related organisations across South Africa. The study adopted a post-positivism philosophical stance using quantitative research conducted through a questionnaire survey. Data were analysed using mean item score, Kruskal-Wallis H-Test and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). With good internal consistency, construct validity, and acceptable fit indices, CFA confirmed that an organisation's ability to deliver projects within the agreed schedule, quality and cost is improved with digitalisation, with better digital uptake and transformation achieved in the process. This implies that for a construction industry like South Africa, characterised by poor project performance due to the slow adoption of technological advancement, embracing construction digitalisation is a must in this current era of the fourth industrial revolution.