78 pubblicazioni classificate nel seguente modo:

A Holonic Construction Management System for the Efficient Implementation of Building Energy Renovation Actions
SUSTAINABILITY
Autore/i: Messi, Leonardo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Franco, Carlos; Spegni, Francesco; Vaccarini, Massimo; Naticchia, Berardo
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/327411

APPLICATION OF DIMINISHED REALITY FOR CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY MANAGEMENT
Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality
Autore/i: Corneli, Alessandra; Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Spegni, Francesco
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/325621

Seamless indoor/outdoor marker-less augmented reality registration supporting facility management operations
Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality
Autore/i: Messi, Leonardo; Spegni, Francesco; Vaccarini, Massimo; Corneli, Alessandra; Binni, Leonardo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Augmented reality (AR) still struggles to be widely used in real processes in the construction industry despite its great potential. This is partly due to the difficulties that exist in aligning holograms and maintaining their stability, especially for outdoor applications. In addition, being indoor-outdoor interactions crucial for built environment management, it would be important that AR apps can work seamlessly. Alignment in indoor environments cannot make use of methods such as GNSS, nor can all environments be assumed to have been previously initialized with AR tools. Thus, marker-less AR registration is crucial for indoor applications. This paper presents an approach for marker-less AR registration seamlessly in both outdoor and indoor environments. Real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) technologies have been chosen for outdoor registration, while image comparison based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) for indoor registration. In this research, the application of these two technologies and their integration have been studied and tested on site on a real Facility Management use case related to a university campus. The proposed approach has shown very promising results in displaying BIM elements of the electrical system seamlessly superimposed through AR to their physical counterparts in mixed indoor-outdoor environments.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/325396

Procedures to control fire safety performances of buildings in a BIM environment
Proceedings of the 2023 European Conference on Computing in Construction and the 40th International CIB W78 Conference
Autore/i: Lemma, Massimo; Tarsi, Martina; Carbonari, Alessandro; Giretti, Alberto; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: European Council on Computing in Construction
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: During their lifecycle, buildings often require changes in use and layout. This scenario raises the need for continuous control of building performances in each phase. The transition from the traditional prescriptive method towards the performance-based approach would facilitate the management of building, thanks to the adoption of key performance indicators. KPIs can track building performances over their lifecycle. This paper showcases the application of such a procedure in the fire safety management. It includes the draft of a workflow and an information model to support that approach in a BIM environment, the integration of simulators, and the definition of KPIs.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/325634

Enhancing BIM through Mixed Reality for Facility Management
Building Information Modeling - A Sustainable Approach and Emerging Technologies
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Spegni, Francesco; Giretti, Alberto
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/307041

Digital Twin Models Supporting Cognitive Buildings for Ambient Assisted Living
TECHNOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE GREEN AND DIGITAL TRANSITION
Autore/i: Binni, Leonardo; Naticchia, Berardo; Corneli, Alessandra; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/315738

Project Information Model resulting from the on-site survey
Autore/i: Spegni, Francesco; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro
Classificazione: 5 Altro
Abstract: The On-site Analysis and Verification Service (ODAVS) is a service developed within the Encore project. It allows users to check any constructability issues regarding renovation projects of residential buildings by means of surveys facilitated by a mixed reality tool. This dataset includes two IFC files of the renovation studies developed by Univpm and JEA (both partners of Encore project) at JEA experimental building in Caceres, and assessed on-site on 2021 December 14th and 15th. The dataset also includes an XML file containing the list of 33 URLS pointing to audio files previously published on a different Zenodo dataset [1]. Note that the access to the Zenodo dataset [1] is restricted. The interested users must ask the dataset authors for permission to access the dataset itself. In the XML file, for each comment, the GUID of the IFC object referred by the audio comment itself is given.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/312710

Pictures and Videos Collected During ODAVS Activity
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 5 Altro
Abstract: The On-site Analysis and Verification Service (ODAVS) is a service developed within the Encore project. It allows users to check any constructability issues regarding renovation projects of residential buildings by menas of survey facilitate by a mixed reality tool. This dataset includes videos of the tests performed by Univpm and JEA (both partners of Encore project) at JEA experimental building in Caceres, on 2021 December 14th and 15th. In addition, it includes audio files recorded by volunteeers who performed the experimental tests.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/312709

Development of digital twin models supporting ambient assisted living
Proceedings of the 2022 European Conference on Computing in Construction
Autore/i: Binni, L.; Corneli, A.; Vaccarini, M.; & , ; Naticchia, B.
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: World population aging requires finding solutions to improve independent living options. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is making step forward developing services supporting the elderly, but the implementation of predictive environments is still far away. Besides, the emerging Digital Twin (DT) concept has begun to shape the first cognitive environments that integrate users into assessments, improving efficiency, prevention, and prediction of likely events through realtime AI computing. This paper aims to provide a prototype of a Cognitive Building framework based on DT models that develop high-level knowledge to achieve real-time Scenario Awareness and offer appropriate AAL services once anomalies are detected.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/315736

A Mixed Reality Application for the On-Site Assessment of Building Renovation: Development and Testing
SUSTAINABILITY
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Franco, Carlos; Naticchia, Berardo; Spegni, Francesco; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: This paper contributes to a sustainable construction design management approach to increase the successful renovation rate of existing residential building stock. Indeed, coupling BIM with mixed reality can speed up and improve the quality of the renovation design processes, because it can display virtual models of alternative design scenarios superimposed over the existing physical facility. To this purpose, a sample of technicians was enrolled to test the reliability of this technology. A prototype was developed that enables cooperation among stakeholders and the implementation of an efficient workflow. The volunteers carried out real-life tests in a building demonstrator in Caceres (Spain) and filled in two questionnaires with their feedback. The results showed that an MR-based platform can involve interested stakeholders in the assessment of renovation design projects, that speeds up the decision-making process and increases the quality of those projects. Moreover, technicians can master the technology quickly, provided that it is included in the current renovation workflow and some technology gaps are covered. However, the main limitations of this study are that these findings are valid for building renovation design only, and the tests were performed in a controlled, yet full scale, experimental environment. Finally, this paper deals with a few open technical issues, such as the efficient alignment of holograms, transformation of BIM models into a format suitable for mixed reality applications and sharing feedbacks in an on-line repository to foster collaboration.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/312714

A framework for development and integration of digital twins in construction
Proceedings of 13th European Conference on Product & Process Modelling (ECPPM)
Autore/i: Corneli, A.; Naticchia, B.; Carbonari, A.; Vaccarini, M.
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/301245

Leveraging Extended Reality technologies with RFID to enhance on field maintenance of buildings
Proceedings of the 38th International Conference of CIB W78
Autore/i: Naticchia, B; Vaccarini, M; Corneli, A; Messi, L; Carbonari, A
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: The combined use of BIM and the advanced visualization provided by Extended Reality technologies can improve productivity in the project management processes in construction. This paper concerns an application of MR for seamless data retrieval from a BIM platform towards field workers in charge of maintenance. For instance, in case a failure of any systems has been claimed, workers must retrieve the information about the localization of components prior to repairing. This step can be facilitated by on field data visualization through MR. As the number of on field repair actions is huge in complex buildings, minimizing the time required for the alignment of virtual models is beneficial. Hence, an approach for model alignment that is based on the use of RFID tags has been developed. The first advantage is that these embedded devices are suitable for reuse at any survey with no need for re-deployment. Secondly, this approach does not require that the virtual model is displayed during the alignment, which makes it suitable for large models.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/299421

Process-based simulation models using BPMN for construction management at runtime
Proceedings of the 38th International Conference of CIB W78
Autore/i: Messi, Leonardo; Spegni, Francesco; Carbonari, Alessandro; Ridolfi, Luigi; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: In this paper, we present a platform to develop smart and flexible simulation models, based on the notation known as Business Process Modelling Notation, in support of construction management. They are generated in a way that supports effective re-planning at runtime. They merge information about the product model, construction processes and associated resources. Thanks to the notation used, that information can be properly re-arranged in order to generate the work plan even automatically, e.g. by means of search algorithms. At runtime, the business process models are used to monitor work progress and re-instantiate search algorithms for rapid update of work plans. This notation facilitates construction managers who develop work plans taking into account the usage of resources and of the intrinsic dynamics of construction projects. Finally, the application in the energy retrofit of a residential building is showcased.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/299244

A Smart Contract-based BPMN Choreography Execution for Management of Construction Processes
Proceedings of the 38th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC)
Autore/i: Corneli, Alessandra; Spegni, Francesco; Bragadin, Marco Alvise; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Construction management can be grouped into two different levels: strategic early planning, that provides the baseline for project monitoring, and short time initiatives, based on objectives and self-organization from actors who are involved in on-site processes. The latter can be considered as a complex system management issue since it presents emergent behaviors thus it can not be handled in a traditional way. The passage from project scheduling to on site operations management requires a change of perspective. On site short time planning is a process of forecasting future outcomes therefore it deals with uncertainty and indeterminacy. At present this is managed through the representation of many separate orchestrations and this does not allow to eliminate the inefficiencies that arise at the level of synchronization of the individual tasks performed by organizations with contractually separate management. Efficiency in construction management implies to take into consideration choreographies because they better reflect synchronization of different organizations management processes. On the other hand, information processed as a trigger for distributed activities on different management does not guarantee process traceability while smart contracts linked to single task execution assure both promptness and irreversible tracking at single task level. The actual execution of the processes depends both on what happens and on the information that flows between the subjects who actually carry out processes asynchronous to each other, so the only possibility to synchronize them is information. This research aims to describe a framework for applying BPMN choreographies to construction site processes in order to better modeling processes for smart contracts application. The choice of applying BPMN instead of CPM lays in the fact that it allows to model the information flows as well as the preparatory aspects and in addition it allows to represent decision-making moments. Every single activity in the baseline can be modelled as a choreography at a lower level. On the other hand, process performance monitoring can be performed thanks to blockchain tasks notarization. Concrete casting quality assessment process has been chosen as use case. BPMN choreography of this process has been modelled and blockchain application for tasks and information notarization has been development and tested on a construction site.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/299248

Technology Framework for Real-Time Assessment of Spatial Conflicts in Building Retrofitting
Proceedings of the 2021 European Conference on Computing in Construction
Autore/i: Messi, Leonardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Corneli, Alessandra; Naticchia, Berardo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: In the field of construction works planning, workspaces must be considered as limited resources, in the same way as labour crews and equipment. Being the work-related spatial information both contextual and affected by construction site's dynamics, a real-time management approach based on lean principles must be adopted. In this paper, a BIM-based serious game engine, framed within a high-level system architecture, is presented to enhance work progress management. The generation of a geometric model to perform look-ahead simulations for predicting spatial conflicts is showcased relatively to a retrofitted residential building.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/299450

Development of a BIM-based holonic system for real-time monitoring of building operational efficiency
FRONTIERS OF ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Messi, Leonardo; Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Pirani, Massimiliano
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: In the wide context of facility management, several processes, such as operations, maintenance, retrofitting, and renovations, ensure that buildings comply with the principles of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and indoor comfort. Apart from ordinary operation, facility management is responsible for the renovation of and long-term performance improvement of building facilities. In such a scenario, the cyber—physical system (CPS) paradigm with holonic architecture, which is the focus of this study, can successfully guide the operation management and long-term refurbishment processes of buildings. Analogous to the manufacturing field, the developed CPS maximizes holons’ self-configuration and self-organization and overall throughput effectiveness metrics to detect the best corrective actions toward system improvements. Consequently, suggestions and lessons learned from the evaluation of building efficiency are redirected to the building information model. Hence, the digital model acts as a repository of currently available equipment for operations management and the history of diagnoses that support decision-making during the maintenance, retrofitting, and renovation processes. Evidently, the repeated detection of a specific issue, which is unaffected by operations management, should be considered an opportunity to act and enhance the performances of existing building components. Similar to a goods-producing industry, the building management system developed in this study applies the aforementioned methodology to provide services related to indoor comfort and building health. This approach indicates that a method for automatic real-time diagnosis is tested in a case study consisting of a multi-use and large public building. The current paper, which is an extended version of the one presented in the Creative Construction Conference 2018, deepens the decision support tool and the supervision policy. Moreover, the developed system is contextualized by providing an example of use case and highlighting the step forward in the field of smart buildings.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/290352

Training of YOLO Neural Network for the Detection of Fire Emergency Assets
Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020)
Autore/i: Corneli, A.; Naticchia, B.; Vaccarini, M.; Bosché, F.; Carbonari, A.
Editore: International Association on Automation and Robotics in Construction
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Building assets surveys are cost and time demanding and the majority of current methods still rely on manual procedures. New technologies could be used to support this task. The exploitation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the automatic interpretation of data is spreading throughout various application fields. However, a challenge with AI is the very large number of training images required for robustly detect and classify each object class. This paper details the procedure and parameters used for the training of a custom YOLO neural network for the recognition of fire emergency assets. The minimum number of pictures for obtaining good recognition performances and the image augmentation process have been investigated. In the end, it was found that fire extinguishers and emergency signs are reasonably detected and their position inside the pictures accurately evaluated. The use case proposed in this paper for the use of custom YOLO is the retrieval of as-is information for existing buildings. The trained neural networks are part of a system that makes use of Augmented Reality devices for capturing pictures and for visualizing the results directly on site.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/290357

Development of a Twin Model for Real-time Detection of Fall Hazards
Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020)
Autore/i: Messi, L.; Corneli, A.; Vaccarini, M.; Carbonari, A.
Editore: International Association on Automation and Robotics in Construction
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is still one of the most hazardous industries in the world. Researchers impute this trend to many factors such as the separation between the phases of safety planning and project execution, implicit safety issues and, most of all, the dynamic and complex nature of construction projects. Several studies show that the AEC industry could greatly benefit of latest advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to develop tools contributing to safety management. A digital twin of the construction site, which is automatically instantiated and updated by real-time collected data, can run fast forward simulations in order to pro-actively support activities and forecast dangerous scenarios. In this paper, the twin model of the Digital Construction Capability Centre (DC3) at the Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM) is developed and run as a mock-up, thanks to the adoption of a serious game engine. This mock-up is able to mirror all the relevant features of a job site during the execution of works from a safety-wide perspective. In such a scenario, virtual avatars randomly explore the construction site in order to detect accessible, unprotected and risky workspaces at height, while warning the safety inspector in case additional safety measures are needed.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/290356

Holonic execution system for real-time construction management
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION
Autore/i: Naticchia, B.; Carbonari, A.; Vaccarini, M.; Giorgi, R.
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: The latest advances in construction management are leading towards the transition from traditional activity-based to flow-based management, which imposes that a set of flows be considered to reach efficiency. In addition, planning can no longer be limited to the pre-execution phase, because the variability and contingencies that are always encountered in the execution phase ask for close monitoring and dynamic planning of construction works. These issues have been the subject of well-known research advances, among which, in this paper, online planning and Last Planner System are cited. The core of these approaches is that work progress must be regularly monitored and some decision making models must be available to site managers for them to be able to redirect the work plan during execution. However, this approach is so demanding in terms of communication, computational burden and team collaboration that automation was claimed as the right approach to make it feasible. In this paper it is suggested that holonic management systems can either perform automatic construction site management or support site managers, depending on the level of embedded intelligence. Such systems combine the potentials of hierarchical and heterarchical systems and are capable of self-organisation and multi-objective optimisation. They are designed so as to reason both at a local and global level. As a result, they are safe and do not suffer communication losses or delays. They correctly simulate real world interactions among all the agents typically involved in construction execution and management. A preliminary application for the real-time management of the execution of bored piles in a middle-sized construction site through a holonic management system is presented. Both the system architecture and a possible development platform are defined, so as to assess the potentials of this approach.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/265524

Rethinking Buildings Design, Construction and Management Through Sustainable Technologies and Digitization
The First Outstanding 50 Years of “Università Politecnica delle Marche”
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Di Giuseppe, Elisa; D’Orazio, Marco; Giretti, Alberto; Lemma, Massimo; Munafò, Placido; Naticchia, Berardo; Quagliarini, Enrico; Stazi, Francesca; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Springer
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/272867

A cyber-physical system approach for building efficiency monitoring
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION
Autore/i: Bonci, Andrea; Carbonari, Alessandro; Cucchiarelli, Alessandro; Messi, Leonardo; Pirani, Massimiliano; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Digitalised models can play a key role in the management of building life-cycle. This paper focuses on the challenges connected to the operation phase of buildings, when the adoption of BIM can make information retrieval and management easier and more efficient. More specifically, a BIM-based cyber-physical system for the automated monitoring of buildings during their regular operation is proposed and tested by means of a customised simulator. The system automatically works out key performance indicators based on the overall throughput effectiveness (OTE) metric, assessing both the overall efficiency and the efficiency of every sub-system integrated in the building. Thus, assessments of the contribution of every sub-system to the operation of the building are performed in real-time. In addition, the metric proposed can help manage multi-objective real-time control. The system is self-reconfigurable thanks to the self-similarity assumption of the computational structure that is designed as a holarchy of holonic systems. The first application reported in this paper shows that when intelligence is embedded at both lower and higher levels, it is possible to generate information that is then used to update the digital model, developed as a BIM. As a result, the digital model becomes the mirror of the physical system and stores the actual performances recorded by the building to support facility managers in making decisions.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/263580

A tuning methodology of Model Predictive Control design for energy efficient building thermal control
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
Autore/i: Luzi, Massimiliano; Vaccarini, M.; Lemma, M.
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: The Model Predictive Control (MPC) approach is based on the prediction of indoor and outdoor thermal loads in order to counter the deviation of the indoor temperature from the occupants' preference in advance. The minimization of temperature alteration allows for efficient energy use and improvement of indoor thermal environment. Unlike the classical reactive control, MPC is able to act in advance and to explicitly handle constraints on building variables when selecting the best scenario. This peculiarity makes MPC particularly suitable for the optimal energy management of buildings but, despite the increasing research activity in the field, the commercial technologies are lagging behind. Among the reasons are the lack of a well established design approach easily applicable to the buildings domain and the lack of a design optimization. In this paper a tuning methodology of MPC design for energy efficient building thermal control is presented. The tuning is performed on the controller parameters, and aims at identifying the best parameter set in terms of energy saving and temperature deviation from the chosen setpoint. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology, a simulation based analysis using a model estimated on a real case study is presented. The methodology shows that by improving the control parameters it is possible to reduce energy consumption and improve thermal comfort for the final user.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/271147

Numerical Approach for the Design of Cost-Effective Renovation of Heating System Control in Buildings
HVAC System
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Quaquero, Emanuela
Editore: Intech
Luogo di pubblicazione: London
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Abstract: This chapter focuses on advanced tools for transient energy simulation of existing buildings. Budget constraints often hinder the possibility of implementing large-scale retrofit projects. As a consequence, designers must work out low-cost renovation, which asks for a deep knowledge of the current state of the buildings. Furthermore, the performances of heating plants in existing buildings can be enhanced through the improvement of the control of the system. These types of retrofit actions can be carried out with a limited budget, but asks for the availability of very accurate transient energy simulation tools, which can compare the current and the renovated scenarios. On top of them, cost–benefit analyses can be developed. In this chapter, a model of a small hospital is developed in the Dymola/Modelica environment. The high flexibility of the transient simulation model and the very good agreement between numerical estimations and measurements are shown. Then, one scenario regarding enhanced regulation of the heating system by means of a customized ambient temperature control system is developed, and the expected energy savings are estimated.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/263464

A simulation-based approach for optimal construction planning and scheduling
2018 Creative Construction Conference
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Miklós Hajdu and Mirosław J. Skibniewski
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Project schedules in construction are responsible for an efficient deployment of resources on the job-site and for the overall efficiency of work progress. Current approaches too often lead towards sub-optimal work plans or, sometimes, even scarce productivity. For that reason, a lot of research was devoted to the development of automated scheduling tools, which can provide optimal solutions while requiring reasonable computational effort. As a consequence, planners can save their time and involved resources can benefit from the efficient organization of work packages and tasks. However, automation in construction scheduling is a tough challenge, because it requires to generate and optimize multi-objective problems, which usually include several parameters. In addition, deviations from what expected is quite frequent, and these algorithms should be able to quickly revise the previous plan, in fact performing dynamic planning. Hence, this paper presents an agent-based approach, which can be integrated in a BIM-based platform to perform automated scheduling of construction works. The BIM component can provide instant access to relevant information, which must be integrated with some user defined inputs, in order to feed the optimization algorithm. This algorithm was based on the multiple ant colony system for vehicle routing problems with time windows, because it can handle several resources travelling through many locations, each one performing its task, even in the presence of time constraints. The optimization was performed with respect to both overall makespan and total costs. An application to the case of bored piles execution will be presented in this paper.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/263458

Development of a BIM-based cyber-physical system for facility management of buildings
2018 Creative Construction Conference
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Messi, Leonardo; Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Pirani, Massimiliano
Editore: Miklós Hajdu and Mirosław J. Skibniewski
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: In the wide facility management context, several processes such as operations, maintenance, retrofitting and renovations ensure that buildings comply with the principles of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Besides ordinary operation, facility management is responsible for renovation of building facilities and long-term improvement of their performances. In such a scenario, the cyberphysical system (CPS) paradigm with holonic architecture, that will be reported in this paper, can successfully advice the operation management of buildings, as well as long-term refurbishment processes. Indeed and in analogy with the manufacturing field, the developed CPS exploits holons self-configuration and self-organization and overall throughput effectiveness (OTE) metrics, in order to detect the best corrective actions towards system improvements. As a consequence, suggestions and lessons learnt from the evaluation of building efficiency are re-directed to the BIM model. Hence, the digital model acts not only as a repository of currently available equipment for operations management, but also as a repository of the history of the diagnoses that supports decision making during maintenance, retrofitting and renovation processes. As a matter of fact, the repeated detection of a specific issue, since not affected by operations management, should be read as an opportunity to act and enhance the capabilities of buildings components. According to this approach, an automatic real-time diagnosis method is tested in a test case consisting of a multi-use and large public building.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/263455

Holonic execution system for construction management
35th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Ensuring high efficiency in construction through advanced planning techniques must be supported by the simulation of construction processes. In previous research, the potential for multi-agent based simulation to support the planning phase were successfully shown with regard to some typical construction tasks. Among the main benefits determined by this approach the following ones were reported: capability of simulating real-world processes and interaction among resources; powerful 3D visualization; optimal sizing of resources. However, those models are not easy to create, because of the absence of built-in blocks and the many relationships among single agents and between agents and context. In this paper we propose the application of a novel holonic system for construction management, which is a sub-category of multi-agent systems. It combines the high and predictable performance promised by hierarchical systems with the robustness against disturbances and the agility of heterarchical systems. Holons are self-contained, stable, intermediate forms, that can be used to create a bigger whole. By using holons, designers aim to create complex systems that can be reused and redesigned much more rapidly than standard multi-agent systems. The approach was applied to the optimal scheduling of bored piles construction. Hence, a holonic construction execution system for bored piles tasks was developed. The holonic architecture was designed so as to integrate the DMAS pattern for scheduling optimization through stigmergy. The results of this paper showed the easy reusability of our simulation sub-systems and the potentials in terms of automatic optimal planning of construction works.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/263454

Reduced-order modeling for energy performance contracting
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
Autore/i: Giretti, A.; Vaccarini, M.; Casals, M.; Macarulla, M.; Fuertes, A.; Jones, R. V.
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Buildings subject to Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) are usually quite complex public buildings, sometimes relatively old and usually barely documented from the technical standpoint. Gathering com- prehensive and reliable technical information is a time consuming and expensive process that has to be carried out within the submission deadline. In these conditions, the standard approach to energy perfor- mance forecasting which uses detailed simulation is practically unfeasible. This paper proposes a reduced-order modeling approach that is tailored to the EPC tendering phase. The proposed methodology extends a third order building model, introducing explicit, albeit still abstract, representations of the heating/cooling system, of the weather influence and of the end-user gains. The extended parameter set reflects to a large degree the information that is readily available in practical on- site surveying, or that can be easily calculated from that information. As a consequence of the simplified physics, a knowledge driven, practical calibration procedure, which provides an effective way of reduc- ing uncertainty, is proposed. The calibration procedure analyses the uncertainty present in the available knowledge and uses the constraints imposed by the implemented physics on the parameters’ dynamic to assess their value estimation. The modeling approach is exemplified through three case studies: the first one provides the compar- ison of the reduced-order model predictions with the outcomes of a detailed model of a small hospital, the second one is used to compare the reduced-order model predictions with the detailed measurements of energy consumption of a real building, and the third case study exemplifies the use in operational context with scarce information.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/257898

Holonic Management Systems for Resilient Operation of Buildings
35th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction
Autore/i: Pirani, Massimiliano; Messi, Leonardo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Bonci, Andrea; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Building management systems monitor and control building performances in real-time. Most control systems, which have been developed in the last decade, achieve the required performances relying on a centralised and hierarchical framework. In the regular operation phase, these systems are usually able to efficiently reach their goals, whereas they often fail to stick to pre-determined targets in the presence of unforeseen disturbances. As a matter of fact, traditional control systems suffer complex unforeseen scenarios that cannot be modelled by the analytics and knowledge integrated in these systems, because hierarchical systems strive to keep full control at any level. As an alternative, holonic management systems, which have been successfully applied in the manufacturing field, can tackle this type of drawbacks. The flexibility of their elementary units, the holons, makes it possible to avoid the rigid structure of hierarchical systems so as to respond quickly to disturbances and dynamically re-arrange their structure. In this paper, a first holonic computing structure is developed for indoor comfort management in an office room. The structure developed can drive both the operation management phase and the medium- and long-term measurement of performances. The former is implemented by means of a sequence of specific minimum cost actions which is based on the overall throughput effectiveness (OTE) metrics. The latter exploits the same OTE metrics to suggest corrective and improvement actions. Finally, OTE diagnoses are re-directed to a BIM model to support decision making for long-term improvement actions on the building facility.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/263450

Integration of control policies for comfort improvement in a large public building
Proceedings of ISARC 2017
Autore/i: Vaccarini, M.; Piccinini, A.; D’Angelo, L.; Carbonari, A.
Editore: Tribun EU, s.r.o., Brno, 2017
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Some public buildings, which date back to the 1980-1990s, often miss to comply with comfort basic requirements. Also, their energy consumption is often above thresholds posed by regulations presently in force. Hence, low-cost technology improvements for renovation with high return on investment is a good opportunity in order to limit the required budget. To this purpose, the integration of advanced control policies may optimize energy use of buildings with minimum hardware enhancement. In this paper, we evaluated the performances of an existing building that belongs to the campus of the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Ancona, Italy), and that is made of offices, teaching rooms, laboratories, a library and other public spaces. Thanks to an extensive monitoring of indoor comfort conditions, the main inefficiencies in terms of comfort were analyzed and a Dymola model of the actual building was worked out. Then, some energy improvement actions were assumed and tested by means of numerical simulation in the Dymola environment, and the benefits in terms of comfort and energy saving were estimated. Meanwhile, a BIM model of the building was built, regarding both the present status and each improved scenario, that allowed to perform a detailed cost estimation of each scenario. As a result, a cost-benefit analyses of each renovation scenario was performed and all the options were compared. The analyses showed that some renovation actions could be supported by energy savings with reasonable return on investment.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/254087

Development and calibration of a model for the dynamic simulation of fans with induction motors
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Casals, Miquel
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: In this paper a model for the dynamic simulation of fans used in mechanical air supply systems is described. Thanks to this model, the behavior of fans subject to control by variable frequency drives (VFD) can be predicted, which includes power absorbed by the fan and expected ventilation rates. Hence, it can help design energy control systems for buildings. The proposed model was based on the Modelica language and was developed from the dynamic phasor domain representation, because this representation is a trade-off between the basic non transient representation, that is computationally efficient but cannot describe fan dynamics, and the dynamic time domain model, that is the most representative one but computationally very demanding. A comparison among these models showed that, within fan frequency variations typical of ventilation systems in buildings, the phasor domain model is as representative as the more complex dynamic time domain model in terms of prediction of the dynamic behavior, that is neglected by the basic non transient model. Moreover, the new phasor domain model was validated against measured data relative to a fan installed in a subway station in Barcelona. Thanks to this model, energy consumption of dynamically driven fans can be estimated at the simulation stage, at the expense of a reasonable computational effort.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/244820

Empirical approach for estimating reduced order models of buildings
Proceedings ISTeA 2016
Autore/i: Benedettelli, M.; Naticchia, Berardo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Maggioli
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: An energy audit is a standard process to support the decision-making in the area of energy management, aiming to improve buildings performance. Nevertheless, an energy auditor does not succeed as easily and quickly in identifying all the energy streams in a facility in order to decide whether retrofitting the audited object is beneficial. In fact, energy auditing of buildings is usually a time consuming and expensive process, due to efforts required for data collection and modelling of audited objects. However, the modelling phase might be made less demanding, thanks to the development of reduced models, conceived in the form of lumped parameters models. According to relevant literature, the detailed physical models are time consuming and often quite expensive; they are adopted when a very detailed evaluation is necessary. On the contrary, reduced-order models, also called grey-box models, showed their reliability to achieve a suitable description of the thermal response of buildings. The thermal parameters of the simplified models are usually extracted in real time; this allows estimating the thermal response of a building in its current state, whose information can be reused to make predictions about its expected behaviour. This paper attempts to derive a quick and efficient modelling procedure by identifying the unknown properties of a mathematical model based on partial observations of the heat dynamics of the building, that is, in our case, a small data collection of temperature measurements. Starting from a preliminary test performed in the machine laboratory of our department at the Università Politecnica delle Marche, the investigated empirical procedure for deriving grey-box models will be provided and the results will be analysed. The potential for energy retrofitting will be evaluated in order to define future developments.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/245852

Estimation of reduced-order models from empirical observations
Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Buildings, Energy, Systems and Technology
Autore/i: Benedettelli, M.; Carnevali, M.; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Society of Thermal Engineers of Serbia
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/245632

Performance analysis of Model Predictive Control for the thermal control of buildings
Proceedings ISTeA 2016
Autore/i: Lemma, Massimo; Luzi, M.; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Maggioli
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: The objective of this work is to set up a method to control the thermal behavior of existing buildings, by means of the model based predictive control approach. In the past years, several works about the predictive control problem for buildings have been produced in literature, but so far a method that describes how to approach this problem and how to optimize its control parameters has not been defined, yet. This work suggests a method supporting the customization of a model based predictive control system, in order to optimize its performance according to the real characteristics of the building. Also, the method suggests how to fine-tune control parameters according to the control policy (e.g. maximization of comfort or energy saving). The proposed method has been validated on a real case study, proving its effectiveness even in the presence of limited accuracy of the reduced model of the building. As for the selected case study, assuming a 50% error on the model, we proved that, thanks to the use of this method, the energy saving increases 8% as compared to the PID control, while thermal comfort increases by 33%.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/245851

Wireless Real-Time Monitoring System for the Implementation of Intelligent Control in Subways
Real-Time Systems
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Mikko, Valta; Maddalena, Nurchis
Editore: INTECH
Luogo di pubblicazione: Rijeka
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Abstract: This chapter looks into the technical features of state-of-the-art wireless sensors networks for environmental monitoring. Technology advances in low-power and wireless devices have made the deployment of those networks more and more affordable. In addition, wireless sensor networks have become more flexible and adaptable to a wide range of situations. Hence, a framework for their correct implementation will be provided. Then, one specific application about real-time environmental monitoring in support of a model-based predictive control system installed in a metro station will be described. In these applications, filtering, resampling, and post-processing functions must be developed, in order to convert raw data into a dataset arranged in the right format, so that it can inform the algorithms of the control system about the current state of the domain under control. Finally, the whole architecture of the model-based predictive control and its final performances will be reported.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/236367

Model predictive energy control of ventilation for underground stations
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Giretti, Alberto; Tolve, LUCIA CRISTINA; Casals, M.
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Smart building systems are opening up new markets, nevertheless the implementation of these novel technologies still lacks suitable and proven whole engineering solutions in complex buildings. This paper presents a detailed approach for the ventilation control of an underground space, as an example of application of the developed solution to a very harsh environment but also highly demanding in terms of energy consumption. The underground spaces are characterized by a particular thermal behavior, because of the continuous and huge thermal exchange they have with the outside, via the openings and the ground surrounding the majority of the building. The main objective of the developed methodology is to reduce energy consumption of ventilation control while maintaining acceptable comfort levels: succeeding in achieving this twofold goal in a real station and the generalization of the approach are the most relevant contributions of the paper. The developed solution is based on a Model-based Predictive Control algorithm used together with a proper monitoring platform. The model predictive control is based on a Bayesian environmental prediction model, which works in cooperation with a weather forecast web service, schedule-based predictions about trains and external fans and an occupancy detection system to appraise the real amount of people. The prediction model develops scenarios useful to allow the controller acting in advance in order to adapt the system to the current and future conditions of use, taking profit of the knowledge of the real ventilation demand. Finally, the proposed control architecture is applied to the Passeig de Gràcia metro station in Barcelona as a case study, validating the usefulness of the proposed approach and obtaining more than 30% of energy savings in the ventilation system, while maintaining the pre-existing comfort levels. The saving percentage values estimated by simulation are confirmed by the direct measures continuously taken on site through energy-meters.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/236285

Reduced-order Models for Supporting Energy Audits of Buildings
Proceedings of 33rd ISARC 2016
Autore/i: Benedettelli, Mariangela; Carbonari, Alessandro; Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Auburn University
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: An energy audit is a standard process to support the decision-making in the area of energy management. Nevertheless, an energy auditor does not succeed as easily and quickly in identifying all the energy streams in a facility in order to decide whether retrofitting the audited object is beneficial. In fact, energy auditing of buildings is usually a time consuming and expensive process, due to efforts required for data collection and modelling of audited objects. Therefore, a decision-making tool should support the modelling phase and this purpose might be achieved by means of reduced-order modelling, after a quick data acquisition, through on-site measurements. As highlighted in literature, reduced-order models, also called grey-box models, showed their reliability to achieve a suitable description of the thermal response of buildings in a short time. Besides, they are more cost-effective and their thermal parameters can be usually extracted in short time. Consequently, deriving a lumped parameter model, by means of measurements collected in a rather short period, could allow the owners and managers of real estates to perform fast and cheap preliminary assessment on the opportunity to implement energy renovation actions. Starting from a test performed in the machine laboratory of our department at the Universit? Politecnica delle Marche, the investigated empirical procedure for deriving grey-box models will be provided and energy saving opportunities, within an energy retrofit, will be analysed as an example about the application of this procedure.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/245629

Lumped parameter models for energy auditing of existing buildings
Building Design Process
Autore/i: Benedettelli, M.; Naticchia, Berardo; Ridolfi, L.; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: The energy audit of existing buildings is usually a time consuming and expensive process, due to efforts required for data collection and modelling of audited objects. However, the modelling phase might be made less demanding, thanks to the development of reduced models, conceived in the form of lumped parameters models. They are shown very suitable because they require a reduced number of input data to be described. According to relevant literature, the detailed physical models take long time and they are often too expensive; they are adopted when a very detailed assessment is necessary. However, when preliminary energy audits of buildings can be made, reduced order models, usually defined as grey-box models, showed their reliability to achieve a suitable description of the thermal response of buildings in a short time. Thus, they are more cost-effective. The thermal parameters of the simplified model are usually extracted in real time; this allows to estimate the thermal response of a building in its current state, whose information can be reused to make predictions about its expected behaviour. The purpose of this work is to survey on an empirical procedure for deriving a lumped parameter model by means of measurements collected in a relatively short time period. In this way, owners and managers of real estates would be allowed to perform fast and cheap preliminary assessment on the opportunity to implement energy renovation actions. A first test performed in the machine laboratory of our department at the Universita Politecnica delle Marche for experimentally estimating thermal parameters will be described and results will be presented.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/248347

SEAM4US: An intelligent energy management system for underground stations
APPLIED ENERGY
Autore/i: Casals, Miquel; Gangolells, Marta; Forcada, Núria; Macarulla, Marcel; Giretti, Alberto; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Several previous research initiatives have highlighted the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as key enablers for decreasing energy usage in buildings. However, few advances have been achieved in underground public spaces. This paper introduces a novel intelligent energy management system for underground stations. The system implements artificial intelligence solutions for autonomous building system control, based on advanced control algorithms that can learn from previous operations and situations. The robustness needed to operate in public spaces is achieved through a seamlessly integrated monitoring grid with self-diagnosis mechanisms. A middleware platform integrates existing devices, subsystems and newly deployed sensor-actuator networks. Results obtained during the implementation of the system in a prototype underground station showed potential yearly energy savings ranging between 74,336 and 87,339 kW h. The highest energy savings potential was found in the ventilation subsystem (30.6% ± 2.0%), followed by the lighting system (24.1% ± 1.9%) and escalators (8.5% ± 1.9%).
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/236284

Reduced order modelling for control and management of buildings
Proceedings of ISTeA 2015
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Benedettelli, Mariangela; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Maggioli
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/229756

A Lumped Parameter Model for Dynamic Simulation of Energy Control Policies Applied to Small Public Buildings
Proceedings of 32nd ISARC
Autore/i: Pontoni, Riccardo; Giuliani, Martina; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: As public buildings are responsible for considerable amounts of fuel consumption, public administrations are encouraged to adopt interventions for energy requalification of their real estates. In particular, low-cost energy requalification with high return on investments is a good opportunity when resource shortage hampers the adoption of expensive refurbishment. However, in order to properly plan such a process, a detailed energy audit must be carried out. In addition, a reliable model of the audited building is needed to breakdown the whole energy consumption and to simulate prospective energy savings from candidate requalification strategies. To that purpose, this paper will describe a new-generation Dymola based simulation approach, that is reliable enough for assessing the dynamic behaviour of public buildings, even when non-standard systems and heat transfer phenomena are involved. This model provides users with two main advantages: on one hand it facilitates the simulation of interacting physical phenomena (e.g. fluid-dynamics, thermal exchange etc...), on the other hand it allows to simulate even advanced control of existing HVAC systems. This last feature is not typical of standard energy simulation software programs. In addition, it is needed when we deal with low-cost energy requalification, because it is usually aimed at the enhancement of existing regulation devices, so that their behaviour must be simulated in order to find out the best customized control policy. Finally, the paper will assess energy savings which can be obtained through the improvement of the HVAC system's control policy for a case study relative to a small public building, that is used as a community clinic.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/229754

A Wireless System for Real-time Environmental and Energy Monitoring of a Metro Station: Lessons Learnt from a Three-year Research Project
Proceedings of 32nd ISARC
Autore/i: Nurchis, Maddalena; Valta, Mikko; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Optimal energy management of underground transportation systems is widely recognized as a key aspect for significant energy savings at regional level. The three-year long EU funded “Seam4us” research project (2011 to 2014) aims to create a system for optimized integrated energy management, relying on the Passeig de Gracia metro station in Barcelona as the pilot station. One of the outcomes of the project was the installation of a wireless sensor network, in order to track in real time both environmental and energy parameters. The data collected by the network have been exploited to inform an intelligent control system about the state of the station. In fact, a reliable real-time sensing is critical for implementing advanced control policies in any kind of environment. For that reason, this paper will report on the Seam4us findings regarding real-time sensing of that quite harsh domain. The design criteria and constraints that led to the final installation will be argued. Then, post-processing functions, i.e. those algorithms turning raw data into the variables which can be processed by the controller, will be described. Finally, the general performance of the system will be discussed, in terms of reliability of data exchange and energy efficiency.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/229753

Bayesian Networks for Supporting Model Based Predictive Control of Smart Buildings
Dynamic Programming and Bayesian Inference, Concepts and Applications
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Giretti, Alberto
Editore: InTEch
Luogo di pubblicazione: Rijeka
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/182306

EVIDENCE-BASED CALIBRATION OF A SUBWAY STATION MODEL FOR ENERGY SAVING
Proceedings of the 2014 Building Simulation and Optimization Conference
Autore/i: Giretti, Alberto; Ansuini, Roberta; Vaccarini, Massimo; Ruffini, Sara
Editore: The Bartlett, UCL Faculty of the Built Environment Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering London, August 2014, Copyright IBPSA England
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: The EU-funded research project SEAM4US (Sustainable Energy Management for Underground Stations) is aimed at developing an advanced control system for subway stations, that has been implemented in a pilot metro station in Barcelona. To this aim, a large Whole Building Model was developed and is being calibrated. After a sensitivity analysis, and a first raw calibration aimed at identifying the main errors in the model, an evidencebased methodology was applied, including local investigations for the parameters that resulted more influential in the sensitivity analysis. This paper describes the calibration process. Preliminary results show that the WBM is compliant with the ASHRAE 14: 2002 requirements for calibration.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/224833

Development of Bayesian models for predictive energy control of buildings
ICT, Automation and the Industry of the Built Environment
Autore/i: Ansuini, Roberta; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: MAGGIOLI S.P.A
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/140683

Adaptive and predictive control for energy management of buildings
Changing Needs, Adaptive Buildings, Smart Cities
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Ansuini, Roberta
Editore: PoliScript
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/138866

Preliminary implementation of a predictive control for ventilation systems in metro stations
Proceedings of ISARC 2013
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Giretti, Alberto
Editore: Tribun EU Brno
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/138865

Pervasive sensor network for real time environmental monitoring in construction sites
Proceedings of ISARC 2013
Autore/i: Carbonari, Alessandro; Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; G., Novembri
Editore: Tribun EU Brno
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/138864

MODELS FOR THE REAL-TIME CONTROL OF SUBWAY STATIONS
Proceedings of BS2013 - 13th International Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association
Autore/i: Ansuini, Roberta; Vaccarini, Massimo; Giretti, Alberto; Ruffini, Sara
Luogo di pubblicazione: Chambéry
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Abstract: This paper discusses the role of models and simulations in the perspective of the real-time control of complex buildings. It describes the approach used in the model engineering of the SEAM4US EU research project, concerned with the optimal control of the Passeig De Graçia metro station systems in Barcelona. The paper introduces the model predictive control (MPC) architecture and the main features of the large Modelica station model, made of over 80000 variables. It then details the statistical model reduction methodology adopted either for mapping the large station model into a deployable sensor network, and for embedding the model into the main control loop
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/128675

A monitoring system for real-time interference control on construction sites
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: This paper surveys the feasibility of an infrastructureless real-time monitoring system to provide prompt support for inspectors in charge of health and safety management on construction sites. The system was tested in the specific application of monitoring interference between teams working on large construction sites. The system accounts for a wireless and untethered tracking technology and a local server running a software tool for handling collected data, real-time site state visualization and remote interaction with safety inspectors. The low-level tracking technology is a ZigBee-based easily deployable and reconfigurable technology. In this paper the system is found to be able to cover large fields while keeping its non-invasive features, thanks to the implementation of a novel low-power approach. This paper shows the degree of support inspectors can get from the system: it is able to alert in the occurrence of interference and to log any unexpected behavior.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/94262

Real-time diagnosis for building structural monitoring
The Missin Brick: towards a 21st century Built Environment Industry
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Naticchia, Berardo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Scorrano, Pierpaolo
Editore: MAGGIOLI EDITORE
Luogo di pubblicazione: Segrate (Milano)
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/81754

Predictive control of ventilation systems in large underground public buildings
The Missing Brick: towards a 21st century Built Environment Industry
Autore/i: Giretti, Alberto; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Pescatori, G.
Editore: MAGGIOLI EDITORE
Luogo di pubblicazione: Segrate (Milano)
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/81753

Ultra-pervasive monitoring system for water leaks
The Missing Brick: towards a 21st century Built Environment Industry
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Robuffo, F.; Casolaro, A.
Editore: MAGGIOLI
Luogo di pubblicazione: Segrate (Milano)
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/86976

Hybrid Modeling for Energy Saving in Subway Stations
Proceedings of the 2012 Building Simulation and Optimization Conference
Autore/i: Ansuini, R.; Larghetti, R.; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Giretti, Alberto; Ruffini, S.; Guo, H.; Lau, S. L.
Editore: Loughborough University
Luogo di pubblicazione: Loughborough
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/87420

Energy Saving trhough adaptive control of ventilation systems
GERONTECHNOLOGY
Autore/i: Giretti, Alberto; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Purpose Embedded sensors coupled with intelligent control logics may be able to provide adaptive control of conditioning systems in buildings. Current building systems are inefficient in their energy usage in maintaining occupant comfort because they operate according to fixed schedules and maximum design occupancy assumptions1 . In this paper we present first models of ventilation systems in subways, targeted at estimating the savings attainable from the application of an intelligent adaptive control and to design an object-based model. This model will be implemented to control in real-time the operation of the ventilation systems. The models referred to are those of the test-case of Passeig de Gracia (PdG) subway station in Barcelona. Method This research is part of a EU FP7 currently funded project, entitled SEAM4US2 , aimed at defining a technological and methodological framework for optimized energy management in public underground spaces and at developing a fully featured pilot system for the dynamic control of the energy performances in PdG subway station in Barcelona. This paper deals with specifically energy savings from adaptive predictive control of fans and investigates how models can be developed. This particular station is served by axial fans with a ducted outlet3 . Performances were simulated through a Response Factors Method software programme. Adaptive and predictive control was designed, relaying predictions of user behavior in the station and receiving real-time context data from pervasive monitoring and actuator networks. Energy savings derived from the use of such an adaptive control were estimated, and a first lumped parameters model for the implementation of the predictive and adaptive control was developed in the DymolaTM environment. Results & Discussion We found that replacing the old-fashioned fixed schedule ventilation with the new adaptive approach, conditioning may be differentiated according to space and time. Theory suggests this may result in non-traction energy savings well above 10%.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/74174

Environmental Modelling for the Optimal Energy Control of Subway Stations
GERONTECHNOLOGY
Autore/i: Giretti, Alberto; Lemma, Massimo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Ansuini, Roberta; Larghetti, R.; Ruffini, S.
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: ISG*ISARC2012 World Conference
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/74172

Ultra Wide Band Positioning Systems for Advanced Construction Site Management
New Approach of Indoor and Outdoor Localization Systems
Autore/i: Giretti, Alberto; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: InTech
Luogo di pubblicazione: Rijeka
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/81362

Ultra-pervasive district monitoring for water leak detection
Proceedings of the 29th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Naticchia, Berardo; A., Casolaro; Carbonari, Alessandro
Editore: J.E.M.H. van Bronswijk; G.J. Maas; F.J.M. van Gassel
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Purpose One of the main concerns regarding integrated water resources management is related to the development of scalable monitoring and control systems for pro-active maintenance of water distribution networks. It is necessary for the availability of ultra-pervasive sensor-actuator networks to be deployed at the district level. The same technology is useful for several other applications involving sensors accrued from city to building scale. This paper deals with the design, development, and initial experiments of a first prototype of ultra-pervasive monitoring network for automated leakage detection in water distributions system (WDS). These pose technology challenges mainly generated by the need to transmit from underground. Method The availability of a new generation of ultra-pervasive communication and monitor-ing systems is a prerequisite for providing fine-grained, real-time monitoring data at district level, so that control policies can be applied in real-time. The sensing layer developed in the system object of this paper is intended for a dense de-ployment even underground. It is based on short-range battery-operated wireless networks, forming a mesh made up of end devices (sensors/actuators), routers/repeaters and coordinators/gateways. The coordinators/gateways –besides coordinating the network routing– transfer sensors packets to a host application enabling interconnection to fixed and mobile networks made available by the Telco operator. Because of this set-up the network can cover a large territory at low cost. It supports leakage detection algorithms, estimates leakage occurrence probability and pinpoints them. Results & Discussion First laboratory trials and preliminary onsite experiments show the feasibility of the approach and the potential for ultrapervasive communication through the network. Results indicate this system to be cheap and easily deployable alongside WDS.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/74364

Interoperable approach in support of semi-automated construction management
Proceedings (Part 1) of ISARC 2011
Autore/i: Giretti, Alberto; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Robuffo, Federico; Naticchia, Berardo
Editore: Secretariat PEOPLE-X Inc.
Luogo di pubblicazione: Seoul
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/59700

Auto-regressive compensation technique for a reliable non invasive structural health monitoring system
Proceedings (Part 2) of ISARC 2011
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Vaccarini, Massimo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Scorrano, Pierpaolo
Editore: Secretariat PEOPLE-X, Inc.
Luogo di pubblicazione: Seoul
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/59701

Un sistema automatico per la sicurezza nei cantieri con edifici pericolanti
Atti del Convegno ISTeA 2010 "Ricerche ISTeA per l'ingegneria dell'architettura"
Autore/i: DE GRASSI, Mario; Naticchia, Berardo; Giretti, Alberto; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo; Scorrano, P.
Editore: Edizioni Medicea
Luogo di pubblicazione: Firenze
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/52310

Sistema di prevenzione delle frodi in fase di prelievo dei provini di calcestruzzo nei cantieri edili
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 6 Brevetti
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/49060

A real-time and non intrusive structural health monitoring system for buildings
Proceedings of 27th ISARC
Autore/i: Naticchia, Berardo; Giretti, Alberto; Carbonari, Alessandro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Kamil Irbis Tribun EU
Luogo di pubblicazione: Brno
Classificazione: 2 Contributo in Volume
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/47259

Fault tolerant decentralized nonlinear MPC for fleets of unmanned marine vehicles
Proceedings of the 8th IFAC Conference on Control Applications in Marine Systems (CAMS'10)
Autore/i: Freddi, Alessandro; Longhi, Sauro; Monteriu', Andrea; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: A fleet of unmanned marine vehicles moving together in a prescribed pattern forms a robotic system for cooperative tasks. The problem is to control several marine vehicles such that, after transients, they form a required formation and move along a desired trajectory. The capability to accomplish the mission even in case of fault, is a fundamental requirement for these kind of vehicles. A completely decentralized nonlinear predictive control integrated with a fault tolerant strategy is here proposed for allowing safe cooperation. Based both on the local information and the acquired one through a LAN, each marine vehicle selects the desired formation to keep and plans its future actions. The proposed solution can be applied to different classes of unmanned marine vehicles.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/64483

Modeling and Attitude Control of an Autonomous Underwater Glider
8th IFAC International Conference on Manoeuvring and Control of Marine Craft 2009
Autore/i: Tatone, F.; Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55229

Unconstrained Networked Decentralized Model Predictive Control
JOURNAL OF PROCESS CONTROL
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro; Katebi, R.
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Complex processes are naturally suitable to be controlled in a decentralized framework: centralized con- trol solutions are often unfeasible in dealing with large scale plants and they are computationally prohib- itive when the processes are too fast for the existing computational resources. In these cases, the resulting control problem is usually split into many smaller subproblems and the global requirements are guaranteed by means of a proper coordination. A coordination strategy based on a networked decen- tralized Model Predictive Control is proposed in this paper for improving the global control performances. The innovative solution is based on independent agents and on a local area network used for exchanging a reduced set of information. The proposed architecture guarantees satisfactory performance under strong interactions among subsystems. A stability analysis is presented for the unconstrained decentral- ized case and the provided stability results are employed for tuning the decentralized controller. Numer- ical simulations are given for testing and validating the proposed technique.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/32371

Formation Control of Marine Veihicles via Real-Time Networked Decentralized MPC
2009 17th Mediterranean Conference on Control & Automation (MED 2009)
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55228

A Two Level MPC Architecture for Controlling Cooperative Underwater Gliders
2nd IFAC Workshop on Navigation, Guidance and Control of Underwater Vehicles 2008
Autore/i: Longhi, Sauro; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55235

Networked Decentralized MPC of Nonlinear Interacting Processes
Proceedings of INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF NONLINEAR MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL (NMPC08)
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: http://sisdin.unipv.it/NMPC08/index.html
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/74700

Cooperative control of underwater glider fleets by fault tolerant decentralized MPC
17th IFAC World Congress 2008
Autore/i: Longhi, Sauro; Monteriu', Andrea; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: A fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) moving together in a prescribed pattern can form an efficient data acquisition network. The problem is to control several AUVs such that after transients, they form a required formation and move along a desired trajectory. The capability to accomplish the mission even in case of faults, is a fundamental requirement for these kind of missions. A completely decentralized predictive control and FDI strategy is here proposed for allowing cooperation. Trough an underwater communication channel, each vehicle broadcasts its position, its future behavior and its actuator/sensor fault situation. Based both on the local and the received information, each vehicle selects the desired formation to keep and plans its future actions. Simulation results are provided to validate the approach.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55234

Networked decentralized MPC for formation control of underwater glider fleets
7th IFAC Conference on Control Applications in Marine Systems 2007
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55237

Networked decentralized MPC for unicycle vehicles formation
7th IFAC Symposium on Nonlinear Control Systems 2007
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55236

Stability analysis tool for tuning unconstrained decentralized model predictive controllers
Proceedings of Control 2006
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; M. R., Katebi; Longhi, Sauro
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Abstract: Some processes are naturally suitable to be controlled in a decentralized framework: centralized control solutions are often infeasible in dealing with large scale plants and they are technologically prohibitive when the processes are too fast for the available computational resources. In these cases, the resulting control problem is usually split in many smaller subproblems and the global requirements are guaranteed by means of a proper coordination. The unconstrained decentralized case is here considered and a coordination strategy is proposed for improving the global control performances. This paper present a tool for setting up and tuning a nominally stable decentralized Model Predictive Controller. Numerical examples are proposed for testing and validating the developed technique.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/74333

Learning Nonliner MPC for Fast Computation Control
Proc. IFAC Workshop on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Fast Systems
Autore/i: Conte, Giuseppe; Longhi, Sauro; P., Pennesi; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/44514

Networked Decentralized Model Predictive Control
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo
Editore: Università Politecnica delle Marche
Classificazione: 8 Tesi di dottorato
Abstract: In process control it is usual to deal with different interconnected plants characterized by significant interactions. For these processes three different control solutions can be developed: a centralized control solution, where all the interactions are considered, a decentralized control solution where each independent control agent is able to acquire estimations or measurements of the interactions, or a hierarchical solution in which a coordinator manages the information exchange between the agents and coordinates them. In general, the optimum policy for each agent does not guarantee the global optimum. Global objectives, such as closed-loop stability or some performance requirements for the global process require coordination among the control agents. This concepts have been widely developed in game theory and originates from the well known prisoner’s dilemma. In this thesis a contribution to decentralized implementation of Model Predictive Control strategy is proposed. The innovative solution is based on independent agents and on a local network used for exchanging a reduced set of information. This Networked Decentralized Model Predictive Control architecture, guarantees satisfactory performance also in the case of strong interactions among subsystems. The performance of the proposed solution is tested on a process characterized by strong interactions and here assumed as a case study. For understanding the reason of using MPC as control strategy, let consider a human being driving a vehicle. It generates steering-wheel commands by forecasting or predicting over a finite time-horizon the (possible) vehicle stateevolutions on the basis of vehicle current state and dynamics, and a virtual or potential steering-wheel command sequence. Then, among such sequences, a particular action which fulfills safety constraints and meets performance requirements is sorted out. Only a short initial portion of such a sequence is applied by the driver to the steering-wheel, while its remaining part is discarded. After such an initial portion is applied, the driver repeats the whole operation by restarting predictions over a moved-ahead or receded time-horizon from the updated vehicle state as determined by the applied command. In a similar manner, Model Predictive Control acts according to the receding horizon principle: at each sampling time, using a predictive model of the system dynamics, the response of the process to changes in manipulated variables over a fixed horizon is predicted. Based on a proper objective function, a finitehorizon optimal control problem is solved to obtain current and future moves of the manipulated variables. Only the first computed move is actually applied to the real system whereas all other control actions in the optimal control sequence are discarded. The same procedure is repeated at the next control step based on the new measurement. Although this computation hinges upon an open-loop control problem, MPC yields a feedback-control law. Therefore, Model Predictive Control is a human inspired method for generating feedback control actions and can be defined an "Intelligent Control Technique". Also the communication based coordination is an intelligent behavior because all the agents can take advantage of the information exchange, whereas the egoistic conduct penalizes the overall system. The general nature of the Model Predictive Control principle allows to deal with complex, multivariable, nonlinear and constrained systems but, at the same time, it arises stability and robustness problems, especially in the decentralized framework. A stability analysis of a model predictive control strategy is proposed in this dissertation for control agents operating in a decentralized control architecture. The current status of the art in Model Predictive Control field is briefly introduced in Chapter 1. The main concepts relying behind the receding horizon principle are presented in Chapter 2 then centralized and decentralized implementations are defined and compared in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 provides a stability analysis either for the centralized or the decentralized case. For validating the obtained results, the proposed analysis is tested on different plants.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/304600

State Space Stability Analysis of Unconstrained Decentralized Model Predictive Control Systems
Proceedings of the 2006 American Control Conference
Autore/i: Vaccarini, Massimo; Longhi, Sauro; Katebi, M. R.
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55239

Application of a networked decentralized MPC to syngas process in oil industry
Proceedings of the 16th IFAC World Congress
Autore/i: Longhi, Sauro; Trillini, R.; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/55238

Navigation system for a smart wheelchair
JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY. SCIENCE A
Autore/i: Bonci, Andrea; Longhi, Sauro; Monteriu', Andrea; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 1 Contributo su Rivista
Abstract: Recent results on the development of a navigation system for a smart wheelchair are presented in this paper. In order to reduce the development cost, a modular solution is designed by using commercial and low cost devices. The functionalities of the tracking control system are described. Experimental results of the proposed assistive system are also presented and discussed.
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/36584

Motion Control of a Smart Mobile Manipulator
Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Manipulation and Grasping (IMG'04))
Autore/i: Bonci, Andrea; Longhi, Sauro; Monteriu', Andrea; Vaccarini, Massimo
Classificazione: 4 Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Scheda della pubblicazione: https://iris.univpm.it/handle/11566/64470