Sistemi per la climatizzazione mediante pompe di calore geotermiche e pali energetici

We need a large amount of energy to make our homes pleasantly warm in winter and cool in summer. If we also consider the energy losses that occur through roofs, perimeter walls and windows, it would be more appropriate to speak of waste than consumption. The solution would be to build passive houses, i.e. buildings more efficient and environmentally friendly, able to ensure a drastic reduction of electricity and heating bills. Recently, the increase of public awareness about global warming and environmental pollution problems have “finally” opened wide possibility in the field of sustainable construction by encouraging new renewable methods for heating and cooling space. Shallow geothermal allows to exploit the renewable heat reservoir, present in the soil at depths between 15 and 20 m, for air-conditioning of buildings, using a ground source heat pump. This thesis focuses on the design of an air-conditioning system with geothermal heat pump coupled to energy piles, i.e. piles with internal heat exchangers, for a typical Italian-family building, on the basis of a geological-technical report about a plot of Bologna’s plain provided by Geo-Net s.r.l. The study has involved a preliminary static sizing of the piles in order to calculate their length and number, then the project was completed making the energy sizing, where it has been verified if the building energy needs were met with the static solution obtained. Finally the attention was focused on the technical and economical validity compared to a traditional system (cost-benefit analysis) and on the problem of the uncertainty data design and their effects on the operating and initial costs of the system (sensitivity analysis). To evaluate the performance of the thermal system and the potential use of the piles was also used the PILESIM2 software, designed by Dr. Pahud of the SUPSI’s school.

Studio della produzione di componenti meccanici per la vettura Unibo Motorsport

Dal 2010 al 2012 ho fatto parte del team UniBo Motorsport, che partecipa alle competizioni di Formula SAE, una categoria di vetture monoposto a ruote scoperte con cilindrata fino a 610cm^3, interamente progettate e costruite da studenti universitari, valutati non solo per le prestazioni dinamiche della vettura ma anche su prove statiche legate agli aspetti progettuali, economici e gestionali. Nel team ho curato i servizi IT e le prove statiche "Presentation Event", una simulazione di business plan per una nuova impresa automotive legata al prototipo, e "Cost & Manufacturing Analysis Event", un'analisi dei costi e della produzione attraverso una distinta base di produzione della vettura. In particolare nel 2012 sono stato responsabile della distinta base, introducendo importanti strumenti ed ottimizzazioni per semplificare la redazione ed ottenere migliori risultati. Nel 2013 ho fornito consulenza ai membri del team che ora seguono il lavoro. A partire da questa esperienza ho deciso di sviluppare la tesi sul tema della gestione della distinta base di produzione, spiegando nel dettaglio i cambiamenti apportati, le motivazioni e i risultati ottenuti. Prendo inoltre in esame alcuni componenti meccanici della vettura, sia per esemplificare la redazione della distinta base, che per alcuni aspetti interessanti di questi componenti: le ruote foniche, per cui sono disponibili molti dettagli sulle fasi di produzione, i rocker delle sospensioni e la corona monoblocco, di cui è stata considerata la produzione da parte di fornitori asiatici oltre che locali con vari preventivi disponibili per il confronto dei diversi mercati.

Life cycle assessment in construction field: A life cycle cost analysis of reinforcement concrete bridge

The present work is included in the context of the assessment of sustainability in the construction field and is aimed at estimating and analyzing life cycle cost of the existing reinforced concrete bridge “Viadotto delle Capre” during its entire life. This was accomplished by a comprehensive data collection and results evaluation. In detail, the economic analysis of the project is performed. The work has investigated possible design alternatives for maintenance/rehabilitation and end-of-life operations, when structural, functional, economic and also environmental requirements have to be fulfilled. In detail, the economic impact of different design options for the given reinforced concrete bridge have been assessed, whereupon the most economically, structurally and environmentally efficient scenario was chosen. The Integrated Life-Cycle Analysis procedure and Environmental Impact Assessment were also discussed in this work. The scope of this thesis is to illustrate that Life Cycle Cost analysis as part of Life Cycle Assessment approach could be effectively used to drive the design and management strategy of new and existing structures. The final objective of this contribution is to show how an economic analysis can influence decision-making in the definition of the most sustainable design alternatives. The designers can monitor the economic impact of different design strategies in order to identify the most appropriate option.