Synopsis: Building Science 1

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The module is an introduction to the factors that affect the thermal performance of buildings. Its aim is to facilitate students to create acceptable designs which are sustainable (minimizing the use of mechanical cooling systems) and comfortable. The emphasis is on creating accpetable indoor thermal conditions thus minimizing the use of space heating and cooling. Students will also be introduced to MS1525 which provides guidelines to creating a more sustainable design in Malaysia.

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Objectives

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1. Create awareness and understanding of designing buildings that respond to local climatic conditions that reduce the energy load of mechanical air-conditioning systems.

2. Introduce thermal mechanisms such as solar radiation, heat conduction, heat resistance and heat convection that determine indoor temperatures, including how building elements respond to thermal mechanisms as well as various design strategies to reduce heat gain of interior spaces through control of variables.

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Learning Outcomes

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1. Identify environmental conditions related to site conditions, climate, etc.

2. Explain the effects of sun on the thermal performance of buildings.

3. Explain the effect of insulation, thermal mass and air movement on thermal performance of buildings.

4. Infer how different building material (K-value, U-value, R-value) has different effect on heat gain or thermal environment in a given space.

5. Estimate heat gain in a space and to provide passive solutions for it.

6. Evaluate control of variables such as heat and ventilation.

7. Judge the limits of acceptable or desirable conditions (thermal environment) and recommend designs that control the effects of sun on the thermal performance of buildings (shading devices).

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Project 1: Proposing Passive Building Design Strategies

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Introduction

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Basic building design does not require mechanical heating or cooling. Buildings that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort.

Building envelope is a term used to describe the roof, walls, windows, floors and internal walls of a building. In a tropical climate, the envelope should controls heat gain and exclusion of rainwater. Well-designed envelopes maximize cooling through air movement and exclude the solar radiation. The fundamental principles of basic building design are relatively simple and can be applied to various climate zones, house types and construction systems.

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Objectives

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• To identify and define the principles of heat transfer in relation to building and people

• To understand what is thermal comfort and discuss factors relating to thermal comfort

• To analyze the effect of thermal comfort factors in a person and in a space

• To be able to criticize design of the space in terms of thermal comfort by referring to MS1525 , UBBL, GBI standards.

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Learning Outcome

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1. Identify environmental conditions related to site conditions, climate, etc.

2. Explain the effects of the sun on the thermal performance of buildings. 

3. Explain the effect of insulation, thermal mass and air movement on thermal performance of buildings.

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Thermal Comfort Design Strategies

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We are required to analyse a house or building and identify the problems of it. We discuss among our group and produce a proposal of the design strategies for the building to achieve thermal comfort.