| CODE | EVD1503 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Building Physics | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 3 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Design | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces students to fundamental physics, relevant to buildings. The topics addressed are the following: (1) Thermodynamics - Thermodynamic properties and instrumentation - The laws of thermodynamics (2) Fluid Mechanics - Fluid statics - Conservation of mass and momentum - Bernoulli's equation (3) Heat transfer - Conduction - Forced convection - Natural convection - Radiation (5) Solar physics - Solar geometry (6) Waves and matter - Sound and Light waves - Structure of matter Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to extend the student's knowledge of physics which is particularly relevant for the civil engineer and architect. The topics which are covered provide insight in thermo-fluid sciences, wave physics and the structure of matter. The addressed topics are considered at an introductory level, meant to provide a solid foundation for other technical topics encountered during the course. Fluid mechanics lectures are aimed to introduce the students to the fundamental concepts in fluids which will, at a later stage, find use in various studies such as fluid pressures acting on buildings (and structures), flows within buildings and fluid flows in pipes and channels. The fundamental principles and laws of thermodynamics are introduced along with heat transfer mechanisms and the fundamental laws governing conduction, convection and radiation (including solar geometries). All of these topics are crucial for a correct understanding of topics such as thermal comfort and building energy performance. Wave physics, with particular reference to light and sound waves is extended further beyond A-level physics. These topics are particularly relevant for later modules in acoustics and lighting technologies. Finally the structure of matter in terms of the fundamental particles is introduced which is crucial to subjects related to materials science which are tackled later during the course. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Assess the meaning of various thermodynamic properties and how these are measured; - Understand and apply the first and second law of thermodynamics to quantitative problems; - Calculate the force due to fluid static pressure on surfaces; - Calculate flow rates through areas using the principle of mass conservation; - Distinguish between laminar and turbulent flow; - Understand the concept of Reynolds number; - Solve problems using the conservation of energy principle of fluid mechanics; - Solve simple 1D wall conduction problems (and identify the U-values of plane walls); - Find the heat transfer coefficient on flat surfaces for natural and forced convection on walls; - Establish radiation heat transfer through knowledge of the emissivity of plane surface (such as building roofs); - Calculate the basic properties of waves and identify the various terms related to waves; - Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves; - Identify relevant definitions of angles related to solar geometry; - Distinguish between different particles making up matter and how the assembly of atoms leads to different states of matter having different properties. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Use thermodynamic properties to describe the thermal properties of fluids such as air; - Apply the first and second law of thermodynamics to building thermodynamic problems; - Use fluid statics and fluid dynamics to understand how fluids effect buildings; - Apply fundamental heat transfer theory to practical building energy problems; - Use solar geometry to determine the influence of the sun on the energy performance of buildings; - Apply wave theory to lighting and acoustics; - Understand building materials from their atomic structures. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Carl-Eric Hagentoft. Introduction to Building Physics. Studentlitteratur AB, 2001. ISBN 978-9144018966. - Hugo S. L. C. Hens. Building Physics - Heat, Air and Moisture: Fundamentals and Engineering Methods with Examples and Exercises. Ernst & Sohn; 2 edition, 2010. ISBN 978-3433030271. - Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman. Sears & Zemansky's University Physics. Addison-Wesley; 13th edition. 2011. ISBN 978-0321733382. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualification: A-Level Physics | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Daniel Micallef |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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