CIV-E3010 - Applied Building Physics and Design D, Lecture, 14.4.2025-6.6.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Understand the fundamental principles of heat, moisture, comfort, and indoor air quality in buildings.
  2. Evaluate the thermal and moisture performances of buildings.
  3. Assess ventilation requirements for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
  4. Evaluate the moisture safety of building enclosures.
  5. Identify and solve building physics problems effectively.
  6. Familiarity with building design requirements related to heat, moisture, and air quality.
  7. Proficient use of EnergyPlus, OpenStudio and SketchUp software tools.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 14.04.2025 - 06.06.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Xiaoshu Lu

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer
    • Overview of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
    • Ventilation Requirements for a Healthy Indoor Environment
    • Managing and Controlling Moisture in Building Structures
    • Principles of Energy-Efficient, Healthy, and Sustainable Building Design
    • Introduction to EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and SketchUp Software Tools
    • Practical Simulation Exercises with EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and SketchUp Software
    • Comprehensive Simulation Project Involving EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and SketchUp Software Tools

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Written exam (%)+ Home Exercises (%) + Simulation Project (%)+Attendance (%) = 100%. The percentages are subject to variations from year to year.
    • Assessment (Grade scale 0-5: 0-Fail, 1-Pass (Written exam alone must achieve at least this grade), 2-Satisfactory, 3-Good, 4-Very Good, 5-Excellent).
    • Attendance is recommended and factored into the overall grade.
    • Achieving at least a passing grade of 1 in the written exam is mandatory for course success.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lectures: 12 h ( 2 h/week, 6 weeks)
    In-class exercises: 12 h ( 2 h/week, 6 weeks)
    Home exercises: 18 h (3 h/week, 6 weeks)
    Self-study: 20 h
    Examination: 3 h
    Simulation: 46 h

    Workload: 24+24+18+20+3+46 = 135 h

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lecture materials

    • Theories, calculation exercises, examples, illustrations

    Textbooks

    • Hugo Hens - Applied Building Physics: Boundary Conditions, Building Performance and Material Properties, Ernst & Sohn, 2010

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring V
    2025-2026 Spring V

    Registration:

    Registration for the course will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi).

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof