Development of sensors and digital technology to facilitate long-term field monitoring of building envelope

Description

Building monitoring studies and in situ observations are vital to acquire real-life performance information that, in turn, can help the development of models as design tools, best-practice design guidelines and building-related policies. However, the cost and time required to implement sensors and datalogging systems is often prohibitive. These days, the emergence of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence techniques are opening a world of possibilities in terms of real-time building monitoring and control. Monitoring envelopes more systematically (e.g., temperature, humidity, heat flux, deformation, etc.) would be quite useful to detect moisture-related defects or airtightness problems and would also help improve current design guidelines. However, it poses several challenges.

We aim to develop, study, and test novel approaches for real-time, cost-effective monitoring of the hygrothermal behavior of building envelopes. The data obtained will allow the team to develop a framework and a test rig to assess the in-situ performance of envelope sensors. Also, we will compare different approaches for long-term monitoring of envelopes. Different strategies to facilitate envelope monitoring will be investigated. Virtual sensors or soft sensors will be considered. We will investigate the potential of virtual sensors to assess the hygrothermal state of the envelope without invading sensors. Numerical simulations will be performed to evaluate the theoretical potential of this approach and potentially calibrate the virtual sensor. The approach will then be tested experimentally.

The student will start by performing an extensive literature review. He will also discuss with the partners and other stakeholders (e.g., insurance companies) to define which types of envelope should be considered as priority in this work, which types of envelope issues, behavior or performance should be identified through measurements in the first place, which features of sensors would be preferred, etc.

The project is part of a major Canadian research initiative entitled "Next-generation Wood Construction" involving several universities and companies across the country with whom the student will have the opportunity to interact.

Requirements and Conditions

- To have maintained a minimum GPA of B (or equivalent) during undergraduate degree
- To have a strong interest in research on building problems, such as those presented in the project description
- To have an excellent ability to speak and write in French and/or English

Send all your documents into a single email at the following address: energie@gmc.ulaval.ca. Indicate clearly in the subject of the email the number or the title of the project for which you want to be considered. Thanks!