Course Overview
The Advanced Building Envelope and Mechanical Systems course is a collaborative, student-centered learning course. It provides advanced knowledges and techniques of building envelope and mechanical systems that an energy modeler needs to know when performing advanced level of energy performance analysis. Each week's lesson includes a 3 hours lecture. In this course, students are expected to learn features and comprehensive design concepts of various types and configurations of building envelope, and mechanical systems. This course is constituted of two parts – the building envelope part and mechanical system part. Topics to be covered in building envelope part include: structure and configuration of assemblies of balcony, foundation wall, basement slab, slab on grade and crawlspace, design and performance aspects of these assemblies regarding thermal performance and air leakage, thermal bridge calculations and overview of envelope requirements in the applicable building code and standards (NECB, ASHRAE 90.1 and VBBL) Topics to be covered in mechanical system include: Working principle and features of comprehensive mechanical systems and devices including: VAV, DOA, Four-pipe Fan-coil, Primary-Secondary hydronic loop, VRF systems, Water-side economizer, Waste Heat Harvesting Systems; Advanced control strategies in building mechanical systems. Some renewable energy systems (solar panel and solar PV) commonly applied in buildings will be introduced as well.
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe and explain the principles, features, and control sequence of the mechanical systems and devices mentioned in the course description.
- Apply thermodynamic analysis to major components/devices present in the HVAC and renewable energy systems mentioned above.
- Quantify required heating cooling capacities of the chiller, cooling tower, make-up air handling unit, fan-coil, water -side economizer.
- Analyze the air conditioning process of afore-mentioned HVAC systems in psychrometric chart.
- Estimate the size/capacities of major components of renewable energy systems.
- Communicate system design decisions with personnel of other building design disciplines both verbally and in writing in a clear and understandable manner.
- Expound the design and performance aspects of these building envelope assemblies mentioned in the course description.
- Apply linear and point transmittance concept to calculate the effective thermal properties of the envelope systems.
- Recommend procedures to obtain the necessary thermal performance of building envelope system both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Effective as of Winter 2023
Related Programs
Advanced Building Envelope and Mechanical Systems (BSCI 5220) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Construction and the Environment
- Building Energy Modelling and Performance Analysis
Advanced Certificate Part-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.