Learning objectives
nowledge and ability to understand: (The Dublin Descriptor)
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge on the design of buildings capable of reducing energy consumption, and of ensuring adequate comfort to occupants with regard to hygrothermal, acoustic and lighting conditions.
Skills: (II Descriptor: Ability to apply knowledge and understanding)
At the end of the course the student will have developed the ability to identify the main parameters that affect the energy performance of the buildings and to identify the solutions that can improve their performance.
Autonomy of judgment: (III, IV, V Dublin descriptor)
At the end of the course the student will acquire a necessary and indispensable autonomy of critical (or self-critical) judgement on the architectural design declined with respect to the specific themes described in the contents (3rd Dublin descriptor);
Communication skills: (III, IV, V Dublin Descriptor)
At the end of the course the student should have acquired sufficient language skills, at least as regards the specific technological terminology of the teachings.
Prerequisites
For following this course it is mandatory to have acquired the basic notions on Applied Physics planned inside the three years degree.
Course unit content
The course aims to provide students with the necessary applicative elements of Evironmental Applied Physics related to environmental issues, in all its meanings. The concepts learned in the previous Applied Physics course are employed for the solution of problems related to heat transfer in buildings. This affects the activity of architects responsible for the design of buildings in urban areas. In particular, the course analyzes the problems related to the building facilities aimed at integrating these fucntions.
Full programme
Heat Transfer in Buildings Structures and Thermal Comfort in Buildings:
- Symbols for Quantities and Units
- Thermal Transmittance of Building Structures
- Heat Transfer in Greened Building Structures
- Heat Transfer in Building Structures in Contact with the Ground
- Heat Transfer in Building Structures with Thermal Bridges
- Overall Thermal Transmittance of the Building Envelope
- Determination of the Thermal Transmittances of the Building Structures on Built Objects
- Determination of Thermal Irregularities in the Envelope for Built Buildings.
Ventilation and Energy Performance of Buildings:
- Symbols for Quantities and Units
- Building Ventilation - Ventilation and Indoor Environment Comfort
- Ventilation Heat Losses and Energy Efficiency of Buildings.
Moisture Uptake in Building Structures:
- Symbols for Quantities and Units
- Causes and Effects of Moisture Uptake in Building Structures
- Psychrometric Properties of Moist Air
- Requirements for the Prevention of the Condensation of Water Vapour on the Interior Surfaces of Building Structures
- Requirement for the Prevention of Interstitial Condensation of Water Vapour.
Visual Comfort and Architectural Lighting:
- Symbols for Quantities and Units
- Physical and Physiological - Fundamentals of Light Perception
- Photometry and the Photometric Quantities
- Daylight
- Artificial Electric Lighting
- Requirements and Criteria of Visual Comfort
- Energy Demands for Lighting.
Building Acoustics:
- Symbols for Quantities and Units
- Sound and Acoustics
- Perception of the Sound
- Characterization of Sound Sources
- Acoustic Comfort in Buildings
- Sound Propagation in a Building and Sound Insulation Requirements.
Basic concepts on HVAC systems:
- Introduction
- HVAC systems classifcation (all air systems, all water systems and
air-water systems)
- Main components of each type of HVAC system.
High efficiency technologies:
- heating/cooling equipment (heat pumps, CHP)
- terminal units (underfloor heating and radiant ceiling panels)
variable speed drives on fans and pumps
- heat recovery units
- high efficiency air conditioning systems.
Renewable energy sources:
- Solar energy
- Geothermal energy
- Biomass energy
Bibliography
Recommended textbooks:
- S. Medved. Building
Physics -
Heat, Ventilation, Moisture, Light,
Sound, Fire, and Urban Microclimate.
- Springer.
- Robert McDowall. Fundamentals of HVAC Systems. Elsevier Science, 2007.
Further bibliographical information will be provided during the course.
Teaching methods
Lectures are used as teaching method.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination consists of a written test.
Other information
- - -
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
This course contributes to the realization of the ONU objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In particular the topics of this course are related to the following goals:
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production.
