Structural and Thermal Behavior of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Facades in High-Rise Urban Buildings in Philadelphia

Authors

  • Desmond Ondieki Ocharo Department of Engineering and Production, New Sky Africa Ltd. Mombasa, Kenya Author
  • Victor Arinze Onyia Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA Author
  • Otugene Victor Bamigwojo School of Preliminary Studies, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria Author
  • Ignatius Idoko Adaudu Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering Technology, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State, Nigeria Author
  • James Avevor Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro New Jersey, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRCE237418

Keywords:

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), High-Rise Buildings, Structural Behavior, Thermal Performance, Urban Heat Island, Risk-Based Inspection (RBI), Philadelphia

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the structural and thermal behavior of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) facades in high-rise urban buildings, with a focused consideration of conditions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The study examines how BIPV systems interact with the unique mechanical, thermal, and environmental loads encountered in dense urban environments. Structurally, it explores the integration of photovoltaic modules into high-rise facades, evaluating aspects such as mounting systems, cladding replacement, material compatibility, and long-term fatigue performance. Thermally, the review investigates solar radiation absorption, facade ventilation strategies, and the coupling effects between PV modules and the building envelope that influence both energy yield and indoor comfort. Particular attention is given to the Philadelphia urban context, where factors such as local wind profiles, urban heat island effects, shading from surrounding buildings, and microclimatic variations strongly affect facade performance. The synthesis identifies key research gaps, including the lack of long-term structural monitoring, insufficient data on coupled thermal mechanical effects, and the need for predictive deterioration models incorporating high-resolution environmental data. Future research directions emphasize the development of hybrid predictive models that combine mechanistic and data-driven approaches, the integration of real-time monitoring and adaptive inspection scheduling, and the exploration of digital twin frameworks for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. The paper concludes by highlighting the potential of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodologies to enhance safety, economic efficiency, and operational reliability in the lifecycle management of BIPV facade systems. Collectively, this review provides a foundation for advancing sustainable, resilient, and intelligent facade technologies suited to modern high-rise applications in Philadelphia and similar urban environments.

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Published

20-10-2023

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Vol. 7 No. 5 (2023): September-October

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Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Desmond Ondieki Ocharo, Victor Arinze Onyia, Otugene Victor Bamigwojo, Ignatius Idoko Adaudu, and James Avevor, “Structural and Thermal Behavior of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Facades in High-Rise Urban Buildings in Philadelphia”, Int J Sci Res Civil Engg, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 161–192, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.32628/IJSRCE237418.