BUILDING SCIENCE I
THIS IS WHERE I LEARN ABOUT BUILDING SCIENCE
ABOUT Building Science I
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 acceptable 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.
PROJECT 1
CASE STUDY
Analyzing Passive Design Strategies
Passive design does not require mechanical heating or cooling. Buildings that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort.
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Incorporating the principles of passive design in building:
· Significantly improves comfort
· Reduces or eliminates heating and cooling bills
· Reduces greenhouse gas emissions from heating, cooling, mechanical ventilation and lighting.
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 passive design are relatively simple and can be applied to various climate zones, house types and construction systems.
Group work with maximum 6 students is required to:
1. Choose a building that best features 2 passive design strategy for tropical climate. Group will select one building in Klang Valley.
2. Selection will be based on the following,
· that buildings should be a certified and recognized as Green Building, refer to the building listed in the green building index
· certification may other be Platinum, Gold or Silver.
· please refer to tutors for other buildings.
3. Have a thorough research on the passive design strategies, the principles and details needed for these passive design strategies to perform best in tropical climate and to achieve thermal comfort in this building/space.
4. Identify two (2) passive design strategies used for a building.
5. Identify an instrument /equipment or software/interview/survey to aid in proving that the passive design strategy is effective in this building.
· eg: shading devices – simulation in revit software
· wall or roof component – calculation of u-value
· wind chimney – simulation in vasari
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6. Analyze the monitored temperatures, looking at the effects of solar radiation, thermal mass, insulation, and ventilation.
7. Explain how the thermal environment of your case study is affected from natural and man-made factors.
8. Research poster should contain the following:
a. Building Introduction (images, pictures, diagrams, drawings and description)
b. Analysis of site and micro-climate (wind, sun, topography, etc.)
c. 2 passive design strategies, the principles, analysis of any one or more of the following;
i. Thermal Analysis
ii. Wind Analysis
iii. Sun Analysis
iv. Concept and analysis of building’s passive design strategies. Highlight the 2 passive design features used in each building and
elaborate the effect and importance of it.
v. Appropriate visuals and diagrams (tables, charts, etc.) with appropriate referencing and citation where applicable.
Research Posters
TAYLOR’S GRADUATE CAPABILITIES (TGC)
Throughout this module, I have learnt a few things. First of all, I learned how to identify environmental conditions related to site conditions, climate, etc. I learned to explain the effects of the sun on the thermal performance of buildings too. I also learned to explain the effect of insulation, thermal mass and air movement on thermal performance of buildings. Besides that, I learned to infer how different building material (K-value, U-value, R-value) has different effect on heat gain or thermal environment in a given space.
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Next, I learned how to estimate heat gain in a space and to provide passive solutions. I also learned how to evaluate control of variables such as heat and ventilation. Lastly, I learned how to 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).
DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE
LIFELONG LEARNING
THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
CITIZENSHIP & GLOBAL PERSPE