Course syllabus for Building technology engineering

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-16 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameByggnadsteknisk projektering
  • CodeBOM175
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPSEB
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture and Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 22113
  • Maximum participants25
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0113 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Advanced knowledge in building physics as in VBF021 or equivalent. Students who partly fulfil the prerequisites should contact the responsible teacher for an approval prior to the start of the course.

Aim

This course provides in-depth knowledge of the technical design of building envelopes coupled to demands and considerations performed by professional designers and clients. The course aims at investigating the use and limitations of today’s design criteria and tools for energy efficient and moisture safe buildings using a commercial building as case study. By the end of the course, students will be able to present and make critical assessments of design options for a team of professional engineers. Students will also develop an ability to plan and coordinate both individual and team tasks, as well as to produce a technical report as a basis for the detailed design of building services.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Produce a technical design programme for a commercial building by considering the building's preliminary design, intended use, location, mobility and safety of people and goods, maintainability, and environmental certification goals.
  • Formulate and optimize quantitative targets on energy use and indoor environmental quality, as well as on fire and moisture safety of the building in accordance with the technical design program.
  • Develop a transient building energy simulation model.
  • Get acquainted with commercial simulation programs for calculating daylight, solar shading and moisture distributions.
  • By using simulation tools, quantify
    • daylight factor in selected zones of the building,
    • specific energy use and power demand for heating and cooling of the building,
    • indoor air temperature variations and perceived thermal comfort in selected zones of the building, and
    • moisture safe design of selected parts of the building envelope.
  • Use the results of simulations to identify and critically evaluate design options for the building envelope.
  • Present and argue for own design for clients (professional engineers).
  • Demonstrate ability to
    • plan and organize individual and group assignments,
    • work self-standing, i.e. relying on own competence and available design documentation,
    • act responsively and in a professional manner to the client requirements, and
    • take critique and argue for own design in public.

Content

The Swedish environmental certification system "Miljöbyggnad" and its performance indicators: heating power requirement, solar heat load, energy use, fraction of renewable energy, ventilation, moisture safety, thermal climate winter and summer, and daylight. Transient building energy simulations. Steady-state analysis of daylight factor. PPD. Moisture safe design and moisture risk assessment of selected parts of the building envelope. Mould growth index. Probabilistic risk assessment. Fire safety. Project management. Study visits. Oral presentations and critique. Production of technical report.

Organisation

Students work both in teams and individually. Each week involves a new topic/project task where new topics are introduced by lectures. Up to two study visits to commercial buildings to understand the requirements on indoor climate, mobility and safety of people and goods, and other aspects of relevance for the technical design program. Compulsory weekly plans and reports of individual and group achievements. Two oral preparatory presentations for the teachers and classmates. A final presentation of the building design takes place in the last week in front of the clients. Several computer labs and consultation times.

Literature

Miljöbyggnad tools, BBR Boverket's building regulations, ASHRAE design handbooks, product catalogues and similar documents that design engineers use in everyday work.

Examination including compulsory elements

Group performance is assessed based on oral presentations, written report and planning documentation throughout the course. The individual performance is assessed through a 2 hours written test, which is fully based on the design assignment. The individual final grade is defined as a weighted grade of the group and individual performance.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.