Building Physics (5 cr)

Objective

On completion of the course the student can
- describe basic phenomena in building physics along with the quantities, and present the quantities and laws related to them
- make building physical models to be used in structural design
- use his/her expertise in building physics in innovative research and development projects
- list components of the building envelope, the stresses on the envelope and different types of envelopes
- design, considering the requirements from environmental exposure, the structures of a building envelope i.e. external walls, roof, and bottom floor.

Content

1. Constructional air flow in buildings, chimney effect, free convection
2. Pressure ratio of a building
3. Heat transfer mechanisms
4. Heat transmittance rate of a homogenous and non-homogenous construction, the heat profile of a wall
5. Basics of infrared imaging
6. Moisture in air and building materials
7. Water vapour convection and diffusion
8. Capillary transfer of liquid water
9. Wall, roof and base floor structures in different buildings
10. Stresses on the envelope
11. Acoustic insulation regulations
12. Thermal insulation regulations
13. Water insulation regulations
14. Thermal insulation calculations
15. The heat and moisture distribution between structures
16. Planning of water insulation.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can
- describe basic phenomena in building physics along with the quantities, and present the quantities and laws related to them
- identify and describe different mechanisms of heat and moisture transfer
- list the most common components of a building envelope and stresses on them
- list the most important regulations influencing design related to building physics
- calculate the U-value of a simple structure.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can
- describe the basic building physical phenomena along with the quantities and present the quantities and laws related to them
- model heat and moisture transfer in simple structures
- list components of the building envelope, the stresses on the envelope and alternative structural solutions for envelopes
- list the most important regulations influencing design related to building physics and their contents
- calculate the U-value of a structure.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can
- describe the basic building physical phenomena along with the quantities and present the quantities and laws related to them
- make building physical models to be used in advanced structure design
- model the thermal and moisture technical qualities of completely new structures which opens up the opportunity to work in innovative research and development projects
- list components of the building envelope, the stresses on the envelope and alternative structural solutions for envelopes as well as analyse their functioning mathematically
- list the most important regulations influencing design related to building physics and their

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student can
- describe basic phenomena in building physics along with the quantities, and present the quantities and laws related to them
- identify and describe different mechanisms of heat and moisture transfer
- list the most common components of a building envelope and stresses on them
- list the most important regulations influencing design related to building physics
- calculate the U-value of a simple structure.

Qualifications

None