Enhancing energy performance of buildings remains key in order to achieve the European Union climate and energy objectives. In this context, Europe produced the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). This directive is converted in Flanders into the “Energy Performance and Interior...

This paper proposes an analytical elasto–plastic model to describe the behavior of arches. The modeling is carried out using the equations of (i) horizontal equilibrium, (ii) vertical equilibrium and (iii) equilibrium of moments. The latter equations of equilibrium are ordinary differential...

Improving energy performance of buildings has become a key goal in managing energy demand. In this context, Europe produced the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Flanders (Belgium) converted this directive into the ‘Energy Performance and Interior Climate’ (EPB). Taking into...

Using a 2D decision support system based on a recent analytical model, this paper is the first to demonstrate that bridge specific characteristics require a detailed analysis to determine the collapse load. Because of the complexity of finite element modelling and the computation time...

As the energy demand used for space heating accounts for 78% of EU15 household delivered energy consumption significant reductions in energy demand can be achieved by promoting low energy buildings. Our study investigates three building types: the standard house, the low-energy house and the...

In chemical enterprises, security managers are interested in easy-to-handle and user-friendly decision-support tools, providing them with straightforward information ready for implementation. Therefore, a theoretical conceptualization on how to manage—in a relatively simple way—the...

Energy consumption in the residential and service sector makes up 20% to 40% of the total final consumption in developed countries. Due to e.g. population growth and higher comfort requirements it is highly likely that this energy consumption will continue to increase. As such, energy efficiency...

In this paper an economic evaluation of photovoltaic grid connected systems (PVGCS) for companies situated in Flanders is conducted by using a generic Excel model. The model is unique in that it includes the dimension of taxation. This inclusion is required, otherwise the fiscal benefit of using...