Course syllabus

Course-PM

BOM285 Building performance: Design and assessment lp2 HT21 (7.5 c)

Course is offered by the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Contact details

Examiner: Pär Johansson, par.johansson@chalmers.se,

Main lecturer: Pär Johansson, par.johansson@chalmers.se

Teachers: Fredrik Domhagen (theme 0, 1, 4), fredrik.domhagen@chalmers.se; Jan Mandinec (theme 0, 2, 3) , jan.mandinec@chalmers.se; Pär Johansson (theme 0, 2, 3, 5), par.johansson@chalmers.se; Quan Jin (theme 1, 4 maturnity leave), quan.jin@chalmers.se; Toivo Säwén (theme 0, 1, 4), sawen@chalmers.se; Yutaka Goto (theme 0, 3, 5), yutaka.goto@chalmers.se

Study administrator: Ingela Gustafsson, Ingela.gustafson@chalmers.se

Guest lectures: Göran Andersson, Gicon; Anders Ekberg, Sweco; Anders Lindvall, Thomas Concrete Group; Jimmy Lovén, VBK; Kristina Mjörnell, RISE; Max Tillberg, EQUA AB; Fredrik Rosenhall, Inobi.

Course purpose

The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth knowledge on building physics related performance criteria. Predictions of temperature and moisture distribution in materials and components with varying boundary conditions, impact of climate, evaluation of indoor environmental quality, including daylight, thermal storage and moisture safety, are studied. Moreover, the course aims to provide a basic understanding of different engineering roles, of how planning, design, construction, operation, assessment and renovation are interconnected, and of how the choice as well as handling of materials affect the planning and implementation of construction projects (in relation to requirements and recommendations in applicable norms and standards).

Schedule

Detailed schedule

TimeEdit

Course literature

Introduction to Building Physics, Carl-Eric Hagentoft, 2001 (Cremona).

Climate and Architecture, Torben Dahl, 2008.

Both books are available at the library and at bookstores, most of the required pages are provided through Canvas (as many as we are allowed to copy). The first book will be used in later courses in Building Technology (VBF021, BOM175) and has been used in earlier courses, so second hand copies can be found, e.g.  http://www.teknologbok.se/.

Additional literature is provided on Canvas. For the repetition, you can use your own course books on heat and mass transfer, building physics, physics, etc.

Course design

The course is divided into five focus areas or themes:

Theme 0. Introduction and repetition

Theme 1. Daylight and windows

Theme 2. Climate and building design

Theme 3. Moisture safety and durability assessment

Theme 4. Indoor air quality

Theme 5. Holistic approach

Within each theme there are lectures, exercises, study questions, mandatory weekly assignments (project 4.5 c) and one of the following; computer lab/home lab/discussion/presentation exercise. The course ends with a written exam (examination 3.0 c).

You will meet the teachers at least twice a week. This is the best time to ask questions. You may also use e-mail. For e-mail addresses see Contact detail.

Course material is provided through Canvas, which is also used to hand in the assignments. TimeEdit is used for location and time. The document “Course content” is a framework that describes the activities in the course.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

  • Determine heat and moisture conditions in air, materials and building components at varying boundary conditions in different climates.
  • Understand the impact of changes in the building envelope on indoor environmental qualities, such as daylight, thermal comfort (incl. thermal storage), moisture safety and indoor air quality.
  • Evaluate characteristics of different materials, and material combinations' suitability, with respect to heat and moisture exposure, including the impact on degradation processes.
  • Motivate the selection of materials and models by critically evaluating and summarizing the work process in both written and oral presentations to communicate and discuss the results with experts and the public.
  • Reflect upon ethical dilemmas, including sustainable development, with respect to a building's performance.
  • Select and apply relevant models, input data, and measuring techniques to determine heat and moisture conditions in air, materials and building components.

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen: Study plan

Examination form

The project is examined by weekly assignments and by one mandatory, 2nd of December, and one semi-mandatory discussion exercise, 13th of December.

In case of major difficulties to attend the mandatory discussion (i.e. surgery, wedding), contact Paula Wahlgren so that the discussion can take place in advance. In case of emergency/illness, contact Pär Johansson via e-mail ASAP. Regarding the semi-mandatory discussion, we strongly recommend participation, but it is possible to hand in an essay instead (1000-1200 words).

The written exam takes place on the 10th of January 2022.  Approved aids during the exam is Chalmers approved calculator. Equations (as shown on Canvas under module Equations and examples of previous exams) and all needed material data are provided with the exam. It is mandatory to sign up for the exam. (https://student.portal.chalmers.se/en/chalmersstudies/Examinations/Pages/how-to-sign-up.aspx)

Cheating is defined as ‘misleading in connection with an exam or evaluation’. Examples of cheating is to copy text from the internet, hand in another person’s work under your own name, and to use unauthorized means during exams. Cheating can result in, for example, suspension. Suspected cheating is reported to the Disciplinary board and handled by them.

For more information see: https://student.portal.chalmers.se/en/chalmersstudies/policy-documents/Documents/20090920_Academic_Honesty.pdf

 

Mandatory assignments

Deadline for handing in written assignments are Thursdays at 12.00 (except at 17.00 for 3b) (see dates below).

Theme 0. Repetition exercises and building description (4 nov).

Theme 1. Computer lab and hand-in (11 nov)

Theme 2. Computer lab and hand-in (18 nov)

Theme 3a. Computer lab and hand-in (25 nov)

Theme 3b. Presentation/discussion exercise and hand-in (2 dec)

Theme 4. Home lab and hand-in (9 dec)

Theme 5. Discussion exercise (or essay) and hand- in (16 dec)

 

It is mandatory to be present at the presentation and discussion of theme 3b (2nd of December) and semi-mandatory to be present at the discussion of theme 5 (13th of December), see Examination.

The work and hand-ins are usually made by three students, except for the Repetitions hand-in (theme 0) and the final hand-in (theme 5) which are individual.

The assignments are graded U (fail) or G (pass). In case of not approved assignment, corrections can be handed in and discussed on the 15th of December by booking in advance in Canvas.

If an assignment is not handed in on time, the next chance is one week before the written exam in April (15th of April).

Course summary:

Date Details Due