Papers by carol monticelli
Research for development, Dec 1, 2022
Research for development, Dec 1, 2022
This contribution presents the case study of S(P)EEDKITS, a four-year collaborative research proj... more This contribution presents the case study of S(P)EEDKITS, a four-year collaborative research project co-funded within the Seventh Framework Programme, activity: Security (SEC-2011.4.2-3, grant agreement no. 284931). The project involved 15 European partners including humanitarian organizations, research centers, academia and private enterprises, for the development of rapid deployable, modular and lightweight kits toimplementthe Emergency Response Units (ERUs) already in use by humanitarian organizations for emergency response. This article focuses on the knowledge transfer in a systemic design process, with a multidisciplinary and horizontal approach. The paper goes through in particular the activities carried out by the Politecnico di Milano, which was directly committed in the design of packaging and modularity of the ERUs.
Maggioli SpA with License Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, 2019
In a world of growing and changing demands on buildings and building envelopes, moveable elements... more In a world of growing and changing demands on buildings and building envelopes, moveable elements help to increase the possible usage of the buildings and to enhance the corresponding characteristics. Over the last decades, an increasing number of projects that include moveable components have been carried out successfully and even more will follow. Projects, which have been completed so far, range in size from small to large scale and reach up to over 10.000 m² in retractable surface. Adaptive façades, retractable courtyard covers and deployable roofs for sport stadia are just a few examples for different kinds of system, which react actively to environmental demands or respond to a specific user requests. The paper describes the basic principles for the conceptual layout of retractable membrane structures. Besides detailed knowledge on material behavior and structural systems, also a comprehensive design approach spanning from architecture, structure to mechanical and electrical engineering is mandatory. To showcase the concepts, some of the recent works by schlaich bergermann partner are presented.
Research for Development, 2019
Biopolymers have been increasingly introduced in some application sectors, such as food packaging... more Biopolymers have been increasingly introduced in some application sectors, such as food packaging, fashion, and design objects, while the typical technical textiles for architecture remain polymeric composites, based on the use of non-renewable resources. In lightweight construction and textile architecture, the introduction of novel materials requires a long process of verification of their performances, in order to guarantee the safety levels required by building standards. The paper aims to focus on potentiality and constrains to the application of more eco-friendly coated textiles, woven, and non-woven membranes in architecture. The paper proposes a couple of strategies and best practices to be applied in lightweight architecture: (1) creating fabrics from recycled fibers, on the one hand, and (2) acting on the coating with biopolymers, on the other hand. Eventually, the paper focuses on some recent experimental research led by the authors at the ABC Department, on the environmental assessment of ultra-lightweight materials, based on the LCA methodology. Keywords Biopolymers • Technical textiles • Lightweight architecture • Eco-efficiency 1 Textile Industry in a Sustainable Bio-economy The textile industry in Europe over the last ten years has shown distinctive development trends for the general textile and leather goods sector and its specific technical textiles subdivision (ExportPlanning 2018). Beside almost imperceptible improvements of the main textile sector, consistent European competitiveness appears in the production of "technical textiles," created by high-tech value-added supply chains, such as automotive, geo-textiles, medical, architecture, furniture, and technical clothing sectors (Fig. 1). The world production of woven and non-woven
Techne. Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, 2018
The essay concerns the research conducted during the four years of the EU-COST Action TU1303 Nove... more The essay concerns the research conducted during the four years of the EU-COST Action TU1303 Novel Structural Skins (2014-2017), in which the authors coordinated the Working Group 2: Sustainability and Life Cycle Analysis of structural skin. The first objective was to investigate research trends in innovative applications of structural membranes, environmental performances and durability of textile materials in a life cycle perspective. Then, some principles of membrane sustainability have been developed, such as strategies for a more informed project, and three prerequisites for a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach optimized for membrane structures have been identified. Their application, in the early design phases, is aimed at verifying the advantages and disadvantages, and the correct exploitation of the properties of membrane materials in the architectural design context.
2 specifications but rather as a list of desired requirements that combined describes the ideal p... more 2 specifications but rather as a list of desired requirements that combined describes the ideal product considering the context. UNICEF recognizes that innovation is an iterative process, and that suppliers must balance sometimes competing requirements against product development progress. To allow for creativity, and the innovation process to take its course, TPPs are less prescriptive than procurement specifications, and can therefore be challenged by the industry.
According to the record of United Nations Refugees Agency UNHCR in July, 2018 there are 68.5 mill... more According to the record of United Nations Refugees Agency UNHCR in July, 2018 there are 68.5 million people around the world have been forced to flee from home. This is a huge number of population and they need a new place to live in. In the present work, a proposal design of refugee shelter that made by “pneumatic sandwich” structure is demonstrated. The main concept of this design is using the pneumatic material to create a pre-fabricated structure. It is a shaped “airbag” that can be folded into very small size for storing and transporting, when it’s needed it can be set up by pumping air inside. The compression of the air and the tension of the envelope can support the structure itself. Lightweight timber panels were added to both sides to strengthen it. The main goal of this design is easy transporting and quick assembling. This project aiming to provide a shelter that can be assembled in few minutes, without requiring for any technical skills.
Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 2021
The special issue Sustainable innovation in minimal mass structures and lightweight architectures... more The special issue Sustainable innovation in minimal mass structures and lightweight architectures of the Journal of Architectural Engineering and Design Management selects the most significant topics that were at the center of the discussion during the international symposium ‘Softening the habitats’ organized by the Politecnico di Milano and the Association European TensiNet. Today, there are two key questions driving research and development in the field of lightweight membrane constructions and textile architecture. What innovation can we still expect in the light of consolidated technological level and the renewed design-manufacturing tools? And what disruptive changes will make this area more and more coherently aligned with the environmental sustainability objectives of the entire construction? The two volumes of this special issue offer answer to the above questions and help to bring the spotlight to a construction niche, which has always operated according to the principles ...
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, 2020
TECHNE - Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, 2021
This essay explores the issues of reuse and remanufacturing in the construction sector, considere... more This essay explores the issues of reuse and remanufacturing in the construction sector, considered to be key strategies for circularity and value conservation, based on the extension of product life through multiple use cycles. The main levers for boosting the logic of reuse and remanufacturing are investigated, as well as the major barriers that hinder their spread. In particular, the focus is on the components coming from the renovation of tertiary buildings (offices, accommodation, exhibitions, retail), characterised by short use cycles. These components are the most suitable for innovative remanufacturing experiments, since they are distinguished by high economic value and high residual performance after the replacement process.
Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 2020
is an embedding of a space X into a space Y such that each component of Y is a compactification o... more is an embedding of a space X into a space Y such that each component of Y is a compactification of the image of a quasicomponent of X and such that / induces a homeomorphism of the space QX of quasicomponents of X onto the space of components of Y, then (/, Y) is called a quasicompactίfication of X. After some preliminary results, it is shown that a locally compact metric space X has a locally compact metric quasicompactification if and only if QX is locally compact. Two canonical quasicompactifications, F*X and aX, of such a space are described, and it is shown that if Sh p X = Sh p Γ, then Sh p F*X = Sh p F*Y; the question whether also ShpαX^ShpαF is left open. Finally, some techniques of this paper are used to obtain a proper shape version of a theorem due to Y. Eodama, generalizing previous work of the author.
Research for Development, 2019
The chapter reports the results of a research entitled "Ri-scarto", conducted with the contributi... more The chapter reports the results of a research entitled "Ri-scarto", conducted with the contribution of the "Fratelli Confalonieri" Foundation of Milan. The research investigates the conditions that can facilitate the cross-sectoral exchange (various manufacturing sectors-construction sector) of pre-consumer by-products and scraps, that can be used and/or recycled for making building products. The research proposes the framework of a cross-sectoral virtual marketplace, where the different stakeholders (manufacturers, possible users of by-products and scraps, industrial process planners, public administrators, etc.), organised in a network, can identify, locate and exchange available reusable waste.
Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 2020
Compared to the traditional materials, textile membrane and foil structural enclosures use minima... more Compared to the traditional materials, textile membrane and foil structural enclosures use minimal quantity of materials to cover spaces or close façades, thanks especially to their tensioning ability, by shaping themselves to the forces ways, with a few additional stiffening components. However the environmental compatibility, due to their actual fossil fuel origin, together with the thermal, optical, and acoustic performances are crucial factors to be verified during the design phase. The need of understanding their potentials and limits in terms of ecoefficiency is on the debate. Starting from these concepts, the aim of the research is to demonstrate the advantages of the Life Cycle Design strategy answering to the environmental sustainability of membrane building components.The authors found out two eco-efficiency principles for the application of membranes and foils, orienting the designers towards a more sustainable whole life spanned lightweight technology's choice. The main advancement of this research is presented adding new ETFE membranes case studies to the initial analysis (Monticelli, Zanelli, 2016). The aim of this ex-post application of the principles on built examples is the demonstration of their validness for the designer's need and the intention is to spread their use during the early design stage. The calculation on a wider and different use of membranes allowed to sketch benchmark reference rates. The results of the data analysis show how lightweight technologies offer a high degree of freedom in shaping geometries and forms, while only their optimized application can guarantee a sustainable and LCA effective result.
Procedia Engineering, 2017
Retrofitting the residential building stock poses a major challenge for the European building sec... more Retrofitting the residential building stock poses a major challenge for the European building sector in the coming years. It is also crucial to achieve the decarbonisation goals set by the EU's Energy Roadmap 2050. The EASEE research project, funded by the European Commission, addressed this issue by developing a holistic approach to envelope retrofitting. This paper presents an innovative technical solution developed within this research project: a lightweight, aerogel-based wallpaper that can be easily installed on the inner side of perimeter walls. The system is composed of an aerogel-impregnated textile layer, forming the insulating core, and a fabric finishing that can be easily installed and replaced thanks to a bespoke tensioning device. The development of the system is explained starting from the identification of the challenges related to the application of an insulating layer to the internal face of an existing wall. These include building physics, as well as operational aspects to reduce disturbances of users. The insulating layer, based on a textile mat impregnated with aerogel, was tested and characterised at laboratory scale to ensure its high thermal performances and its permeability to water vapour. The fabric finishing system was also designed to provide the possibility of easy tensioning and disassembly for cleaning or replacement. An innovative device, based on plastic zips, was developed and patented within the project. As part of the process, specific studies were developed about cold bridges, thermal capacity and environmental impact of the system.
Procedia Engineering, 2016
The typical membranes for building are polymer-based materials, which have origin from fossil fue... more The typical membranes for building are polymer-based materials, which have origin from fossil fuel. Nevertheless, they are supposed to become very lightweight building components, compared with other typical ones, and, due to their lightness, involve fewer stiffening structural materials (bio-based or not) than other traditional massive components. The need of understanding their real potentials and limits in terms of ecoefficiency is declared. The paper presents the research results about the eco-efficiency principles in the field of membrane architecture, based on the application of Life Cycle Assessment methodology to membrane structures. The paper presents a systematic review of the state of the art, with the aim to demonstrate the advantages of the Life Cycle Design strategy answering to the environmental sustainability. A comparison matrix about existing environmental data on membranes (environmental impacts, EPD, Recycling and upcycling processes) and the LCA studies are part of the shown research output. On the need of harmonization of the research about the availability of LCA data for membranes and on the basis of the collected information, a first set of eco-design principles for membranes structures is proposed. Concluding, the authors reveal the current gap between the research studies and the real praxis in architectural design referred to a specific context and envisage further improvements of the application of the eco-efficiency principles starting from the early design phases.
Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2017
The paper deals with the measurements of thermal, optical and mechanical properties for aged text... more The paper deals with the measurements of thermal, optical and mechanical properties for aged textiles. The use of textiles for building temporary shelters is a widespread common practice for the protection of archaeological sites. Temporary shelters often become long-term structures, because of the necessity of prolonged excavation and the need to gather sufficient resources to design and build a permanent shelter. Materials and structures of temporary shelters are often less expensive (and, unfortunately, less durable) than permanent ones: their major advantages consist in their flexibility, modularity, easy and fast assembly and dismounting, reversibility, low impact on the soil and ruins and impermeability. Therefore, the authors studied the effects of ageing on a very common and low cost textile for temporary shelters in a polluted environment through the heating test, reflectance spectrometry, colorimetry and uniaxial mechanical tests, with the aim of exploring the potential applications of fabrics that usually do not fit with high mechanical stress but have a widespread use for small structures. The authors used an integration of non-destructive tests in three ageing conditions and, due to their destructivity, they applied the mechanical tests only in the initial and final ageing condition.
Procedia Engineering, 2016
The paper presents an overview of adaptable envelopes and shading systems applied in contemporary... more The paper presents an overview of adaptable envelopes and shading systems applied in contemporary architecture; it offers a study of different design approaches and a brief analysis of exemplifying case studies. The aim of the research is the gathering of built examples relevant to outlining a state of the arts of adaptive façade systems and also understanding their environmental performances. Nowadays two different trends emerge in building development. On the one side the new challenge is given by the possibility to reconfigure the new spaces following environmental changes and users needs, while on the other the focus is on the increase of efficiency and the optimisation of materials for reducing energy consumptions in constructions. The building envelope is the primary subsystem through which external conditions and environmental changes can be regulated and therefore acquires great relevance in the development of new approaches to sustainable building solutions. In this review paper several examples are shown and compared, understanding the search for dynamics applied in architecture and the effectiveness from an environmental sustainability point of view.
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Papers by carol monticelli