Course Overview
Presents principles of building science with applications in envelope design and diagnostics. In this first of two courses in a progression, students study the primary thermal energy and moisture mass transfer processes relevant to building envelope performance. The course is delivered through lectures, problem-solving sessions, assignments, and an on-campus field trip. Topics include properties of moisture in air; weather and climate; characteristics of indoor and outdoor environments; vapour diffusion and condensation; thermal radiation; heat conduction and convection; material expansion and contraction related to moisture content and thermal cycling; wind and buoyancy induced air pressure differentials; orifice flow and air leakage; and rain wetting and moisture penetration.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
6.0
- 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
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
- Apply the psychometric chart and equations or tables to determine the properties of moist air, the properties of a mixture of two or more airstreams, and the energy and moisture requirements associated with air conditioning processes.
- Apply the concept of sol-air temperature to estimate the surface temperature of objects exposed to solar radiation.
- Calculate and plot monthly average indoor air conditions for given outdoor conditions and a specified occupant load and ventilation rate.
- Calculate and plot the steady state temperature gradient through a specified wall section given indoor and outdoor temperatures.
- Compute the temperature index for a specified surface within an envelope assembly.
- Compute monthly and yearly accumulations of vapour diffusion condensation likely to occur within a given assembly with specified indoor and outdoor conditions.
- Apply isothermal sorption curves to predict the moisture content of a material subject to a known temperature and relative humidity.
- Design cladding expansion joints based on computed dimensional changes of materials subjected to changes in moisture content and temperature
- List sources of error associated with common methods of measuring temperature, relative humidity, moisture content, wind speed and direction, rainfall amount, and air pressure differentials.
- Discuss strategies for controlling rainwater penetration in terms of the primary driving forces.
- Indicate typical wetting patterns on the facades of buildings under wind-driven rain.
- Calculate an estimate of the air pressure and flow rate across a building envelope assembly subjected to wind- and buoyancy-generated air pressure differentials.
- Compare the significance of the influence of average environmental conditions to those of peak environmental conditions on the response of building envelopes.
Effective as of Fall 2011
Related Programs
Building Science 1 (BLDG 3100) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Architectural and Building Technology
Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.