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;
• heat storage in traditional building materials and innovative phase change materials;
• moisture transport and design of building elements against surface condensation and mould;
• moisture buffering in building materials;
• coupled heat and moisture transport through building envelope;
• air infiltration in buildings and detail design of an airtight building envelope;
• natural ventilation due to wind and stack effect;
• fire safety design in buildings and fire resistance of building materials;
• noise control and 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, daylight and insulation, energy output.
• designing common building components and building details based on building physics principles and calculation results.
• assessing the need for measurements, such as air tightness, thermography 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. The students must participate in 75% of project meetings
2. Meet all deadlines for submission of all project parts (during the semester)
3. 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.

The goal of the course is to give students further specialization in the topic, and a more comprehensive understanding of what the design of complex buildings involves. Through seminars students will be presented wide range of topics relating to building physics such as building acoustics, energy efficiency and sustainable design, renovation of buildings, advanced facade solutions, and new building materials such as solid timber, low-emission concrete etc. A project assignment is also included to give the students both theoretical knowledge and experience of applying this knowledge to real world, complex issues. The assignment shall be based on real or realistic case projects or be part of a more extensive research and development project. The project report shall take a scholarly, reflective approach to the problem at hand and include a discussion of alternative solutions.

Admission requirements.

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 theoretical knowledge of building technology and specialized insight into how to apply this knowledge to a real technical building issue.

· is capable of analysing a specific topic using scientific work methods.

· has developed a comprehensive understanding of what the design of large buildings involves.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

· applying theoretical knowledge in the field to solve real complex technical building problems.

· using his/her knowledge to assess and develop more sustainable design solutions.

· using analysis tools and methods, and carrying out literature searches for the purpose of collecting, processing and presenting relevant information.

General competence:

The student is capable of:

· working in teams and communicating his/her own work

· carrying out a project assignment, including a report and presentation

· preparing a project plan with milestones, and reporting interim results.

The teaching will consist of seminars with guest lecturers, discussions and presentations. The students will be given individual assignments relating to the topics of the seminars (reflection notes) and a bigger group-based project assignment. To allow for specialization the students will prepare an individual in-depth report related to one of the seminars.

The students must have attended at least three of four seminars and have individual reflection notes approved (approx. 5-7 pages per note) linked to the seminars they have attended. Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one opportunity to resubmit reflection notes before the exam.