Thermodynamics of comfort in buildings

Summary

This course provides an integrated approach to analyzing human indoor thermal comfort by examining the correlation between the thermodynamic processes in buildings, human thermoregulation, local thermal sensation of occupants, and outdoor environment.

Content

Keywords

Human thermal comfort, ergonomics of indoor environment, indoor climatization, heat transfer, energy

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

• Building energetics (ENG-445)

Recommended courses

• General physics: thermodynamics (PHYS-106)
• Building physics (PHYS-118)
• Thermodynamics and energetics (ME-251)
• Comfort and architecture: sustainable strategies (AR-442)

Important concepts to start the course

Heat transfer, human comfort, indoor thermal environment, thermal demand in buildings

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Characterize local thermal environment and comfort
• Assess / Evaluate energy expenditure to provide indoor comfort
• Carry out measurements of indoor comfort and energy performance using diagnostic instrumentation
• Take into consideration the effect of various modes of heat transfer on human body
• Perform data analysis and presentation

Transversal skills

• Write a scientific or technical report.
• Make an oral presentation.
• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Teaching methods

• Lectures and exercises on theoretical introduction to the search of the equilibrium between human body, indoor thermal environment, performance of the building, and mechanical thermal conditioning systems
• Practical activities in Fribourg to enrich understanding of students on dynamic indoor environment and the associated energy expense to maintain comfortable conditions.

Expected student activities

Participate in lectures and exercise sessions, work in groups on practical activity, analyze results, prepare a presentation, and write a technical report

Assessment methods

• Written tests on the course material (60%)
• Practical group work and presentation (40%)

Supervision

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

Yes

Bibliography

• Lecture notes (primary source)
• P. O. Fanger, Thermal Comfort, Danish Technical Press, 1970
• Y. A. Çengel; A. J. Ghajar, Heat and Mass Transfer: Fundamentals and Applications, McGraw Hill Education, 5th edition.
• M. Moran, H. N. Shapiro, D. D. Boettner, M.B. Bailey, Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamcis, John Wiley & Sons, 7th edition.
• 2017 ASHRAE Hanbook: Fundamentals

Ressources en bibliothèque

• P. O. Fanger, Thermal Comfort, Danish Technical Press, 1970
• ASHRAE Handbook
• Y. A. Çengel; A. J. Ghajar, Heat and Mass Transfer: Fundamentals and Applications, McGraw Hill Education, 5th edition.
• M. Moran, H. N. Shapiro, D. D. Boettner, M.B. Bailey, Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamcis, John Wiley & Sons, 7th edition.

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/CIVIL-450

Prerequisite for