MABY4200 Building Physics and Climate Adaptation of Buildings Course description

The goal of the course is to gain thorough knowledge of building physics processes and mechanisms so that these principles are taken into account in the design of integrated, energy efficient and climate-resilient building envelopes. The effects of the outdoor and indoor climate, relevant mechanisms relating to heat and moisture transfer and not least their impact on energy efficiency and the degradation of building materials will be addressed. The following topics are addressed in particular:

• principles of interaction between exterior climate and building envelope;
• heat, air and moisture transport through building elements and components;
• heat transfer and thermal performance of building elements and components, transparent (e.g. windows) and non-transparent (wall constructions);
• sources of heat loss, for example air leakages, thermal bridges;
• moisture transport and design of building elements against surface condensation and mold growth;
• moisture buffering in building materials;
• coupled heat and moisture transport through building envelope;
• air infiltration in buildings and design of an airtight building envelope;
• natural ventilation due to wind and stack effect;
• fire resistance of building materials;
• sound proofing and building acoustics.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements. Some knowledge of basic building physics at bachelor's degree level is an advantage.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student:

• has advanced knowledge of building physics principles and methods for assessing and calculating heat, mass and moisture transfer in buildings and heat storage in building components.
• has advanced knowledge of coupled hygrothermal phenomena in the building envelope (risk of condensation and moisture buffering).
• is capable of giving an account of standards and requirements for buildings and structures with regard to heat loss, damp proofing, air tightness and energy calculation.
• is capable of identifying effects of the outdoor and indoor climate and explaining how they are related to heat, mass and moisture transfer in the building envelope.
• is capable of taking fire safety and the acoustic properties of building components into consideration.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

• using analysis methods and calculation tools related to heat and moisture transport, thermal and hygrothermal performance, thermal bridges, infiltration and natural ventilation, sound proofing and fire resistance of building components.
• designing common building components and building details based on building physics principles and calculation results.
• assessing the need for measurements, such as airtightness measurement, thermography techniques and moisture content, and of interpreting the results.

General competence:

The student is capable of:

• explaining the background for user-related, societal and environmental requirements for buildings.
• applying relevant regulations, instructions and documentation.
• presenting results in a scholarly manner with the help of written reports and oral presentations.

The teaching consists of lectures, demonstration of measurement methods and simulations tools. In addition, a project assignment will be given in which the students are to perform analytical and simulation-based calculations of the performance of building components in connection with the different building physics phenomena.

The following required coursework must be approved before a student can take the exam:

1. Meet all deadlines for submission of all project parts (during the semester)
2. The project parts should be approved  

Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one re-submission opportunity before the exam.

Type of assessment:  

1) Project report in groups of 2-3 students (approx. 50-70 pages, excl. appendices), weighted 50%

2) Oral exam, individual or in group, weighted 50%

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) in order for the student to pass the course. Students must be awarded an E or better on their project report to be allowed to take the oral exam.

Assessment parts: 1) may be appealed and 2) cannot be appealed.

Assessment part:

1) All aids are permitted.

2) No aids are permitted.

Grade scale A-F. 

1): one (or two) internal examiner(s).

2) Two examiners. 

External examiners are used regularly.

Dimitrios Kraniotis