ENGT5146 Building Physics

The learning outcomes that are assessed by this coursework are:

• Analyse a climate data set to explain its main characteristics.

• Estimate the fabric heat flows of buildings.

• Compare effects of sol-air and air temperature on heat loss calculation.

• Carry out calculations of solar geometry.

• Produce a succinct, well structured and well presented client report.

How the work will be marked:

• To achieve a ‘Distinction’ mark of 90 - 100%, the work must demonstrate an exceptional ability and insight, indicating the highest level of technical competence. It must have the potential to influence the forefront of the subject, it may be of publishable quality and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at the highest possible standard.

• To achieve a ‘Distinction’ mark of 80 - 89%, the work must demonstrate an outstanding ability and insight based on authoritative subject knowledge and a very high level of technical competence. It must be considered to be close to the forefront of the subject, it may be close to publishable quality and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at a very high level.

• To achieve a ‘Distinction’ mark of 70 - 79%, the work must demonstrate authoritative, current subject knowledge and a high level of technical competence. It must be accurate and extensively supported by appropriate evidence, it may show some originality with clear evidence of capacity to reflect critically and deal with ambiguity in the data, and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at a high level.

Task 1 (25 Marks)

Climate data for Portsmouth (the nearest available weather station) have been uploaded on Blackboard, from the University of Exeter1 - note terms and conditions. You are to make an analysis of the Portsmouth climate data and present a number of statistical analyses of the weather variables. You are to comment on the data and explain the nature of the climate and its suitability for passive ventilation approaches to domestic building design.

The analysis you present should at least include:

• A histogram and cumulative frequency curve calculated from the annual dry-bulb temperature data

• A plot of monthly minimum, maximum and mean dry-bulb temperatures.

• A histogram of wind speeds.

You should provide comment on the data and can refer to other sources of information regarding climate type and regional characteristics and variations in climate – use footnotes for these.

for details. You can assume that the adjacent spaces, and spaces below, are at the same temperature as the Study Room, for the purposes of thermal analysis. Note there is glazing as shown on the southwest, and on the opposite north-east façade (not visible on image). You may use the dimensions given for all calculations, ignoring the reduction in internal dimensions due to construction thicknesses.

a) Calculate the U value of the external walls.

b) Calculate the Heat Loss Coefficient and Heat Loss Parameter (Lesson 2.6) for this space.

c) Calculate heat loss for an internal temperature of 21ËšC and external temperature of -2ËšC

d) Describe how solar radiation would affect the fabric heat loss, with reference to the sol-air temperature, and how, qualitatively, the sol-air temperature would vary with orientation at 09.00 and 16.00 on a sunny winter’s day. No calculations are required.

Task 3 (25 marks) solar analysis

a) Find the sun position at 14.30 on October 15th; use the actual location for this. Hence find the incidence angle of the sun on the SW façade and the roof, assuming a clear sky.

b) For this time, describe the main heat flows in and out of the building.

c) Describe how the colours of the walls and roof affect these heat flows, in the short and long wave.

Report (20 marks)

Marks will be given for clarity of writing, structure, formatting, and numbering. Your report must cover all the Tasks. It must not be longer than 8 pages in total, including the title page. You do not need a separate page for table of contents. Pages beyond the limit of 8 will incur a penalty of -2 marks per extra page. Do not use appendices.

Use a style appropriate to a client report (i.e. formal, factual and to the point). You may choose the format. Include page numbers. Use of graphs and tables will be helpful, but these should be produced by you and not from third parties. They should be numbered Figure 1, Table 1 etc. – use of ‘insert Caption’ is recommended for Word users.

You should use Arial, Times New Roman or similar font of size no less than 11 points. Leave a space between paragraphs.

Your report should not have any appendices, or an executive summary, but must include the following, in this order (including your own headings):

• Title page (include your name, course code, module name, month and year of submission)

• Introduction

• [your chosen headings]

• Conclusions and Recommendations

Avoid repeating large amounts of information or drawings from the Brief – you can refer to it. You do not need to include references.