Building PhysicsLaajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

The student will be able to:
- perform unit conversions related to thermal physics
- understand the concept of temperature
- use the most common temperature scales
- describe and apply the laws of thermal expansion
- present the ideal gas law and use it to model gas
- model heat capacity and specific heat capacity
- understand changes of state and related energies
- model heat storage and changes of state by applying the energy conservation law
- describe the basic building physical phenomena along with the quantities and present the quantities and laws related to them
- recognize the problem situations in construction planning which require physical examination
- recognize the most significant causes of construction damage and suggest construction physically functional solutions

Content

- unit conversions related to thermal physics
- the concept of temperature and temperature scales
- thermal expansion
- ideal gas
- heat storage
- changes of state
- laboratory work in small groups
- constructional air flows in buildings, chimney effect
- free and forced convection
- the pressure ratio of a building
- heat transfer mechanisms
- the heat transmittance rate of a homogenous construction, the temperature profile of a wall
- humidity of air: relative humidity, absolute humidity, saturated humidity and condensation point
- the moisture profile of a homogenous construction
- water vapour convection and diffusion
- capillary transfer of liquid water

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to
- define the Celsius temperature and absolute temperature with one of them known
- define relative changes of length and volume, when the change of temperature of a substance is known
- describe the most important building physical phenomena and to present the quantities and laws of them

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to
- use the ideal gas law to solve a quantity describing gas
- compare the heat capacities of simple systems
- evaluate energy related to change of state
- determine the heat transmittance rate and temperature profile of a homogenous construction
- recognize and compare single heat and moisture transfer mechanisms in structures

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to
- examine the changes of state of gas in detail and to apply the ideal gas law to gas mixtures
- model complex processes with simultaneous heat accumulation and changes of state
- determine the capillary transfer of water in a simple system
- determine the heat transmittance rate of a homogenous construction, the heat and moisture profile of a wall