Building and Environment (EaD)

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The methodology followed consists of: (1) individual contact and reflection on study materials (2) sharing of reflection and study among the students, (3) clarification of doubts in the forums moderated by the teacher-mentors, and (4) completion of the proposed activities.

Learning Outcomes

The aim is to develop potential for practical application related to different interactions between buildings and the environment. The study of fundamental notions about solar radiation and the atmospheric wind leads to different perspectives which can be used and focused on the built environment. This course provides skills to address different areas, all with great relevance to the project definition, as the bioclimatic design of buildings, the rational use of energy and the sustainable development. The air quality in urban areas, the environmental comfort, the planning of urban spaces of leisure, climate change, the exposure to episodes of thermal discomfort, the prevention of the associated hazards and their effects on health are other examples of content addressed in the course.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Fundamentals: Sun-Earth astronomical relationships; characterization of solar radiation, meteorological data, measuring devices; fraction of insolation; calculation of the solar radiation incident on horizontal and sloped surfaces (ground albedo; direct, diffuse and reflected components).

Environmental comfort: the aerothermal perspective, climate change and sustainable development, the thermal performance of the built environment and the protection of the occupants.

Concepts of rational use of energy: bioclimatic strategies - solar shading geometry, solar heating systems, passive cooling systems, integration of renewable energies in buildings, energy saving and cost optimal renovation measures.

Urban scale: urban climatology, the heat island, energy balance.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
This course unit adopts the continuous assessment model, and the final classification of the students is the result of the work developed throughout the course (namely, participation in the forums and the performance of evaluation activities). The final classification of each student will be expressed in a scale of 0 - 20 points: 100.0%

Bibliography

Iqbal.M., An Introduction to Solar Radiation, Academic Press, 1983

S. Eskinazi, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics of our Environment, Academic Press, 1975.

M. Santamouris Energy and Climate in the Urban Built Environment, James and James, London, 2001

E. Plate, Engineering Meteorology, Elsevier, 1982.

K. Wark e C.F. Warner, Air Pollution, Its Origin and Control, Harper Collins, 1981.

D.A. Quintela, Apontamentos sobre Energética do Meio Ambiente, 1990

Clarke, J. A., Energy simulation in building design, Adam Hilger, Bristol and Boston

Gonçalves, H.; Graça, J. M., Conceitos bioclimáticos para os edifícios em Portugal, DGGE/IP-3E.

Materiais a disponibilizar na plataforma de e-learning / Readings available online at the e-learning platform.