View the most recent syllabus.

This course will cover the building enclosure (nature, importance, loadings), building science (control of heat, moisture, air, hygrothermal analysis), and design (walls, windows, roofs, joints).

None.

The primary objective of this course is to develop an understanding of nature, importance, functions, and performance of the building envelope in general.

1. Buildings and their enclosures
2. Enclosures: relevance, economics, context
3. Loadings (general classification)
4. Structural considerations (particularly wind, thermal, moisture, rheological effects, differential movement, avoidance of redundant constraints)
5. Control considerations (heat, moisture, and air flow)
6. Hygrothermal analysis (manual and computer methods)
7. Use of software such as THERM, MOIST, WUFI finish and distribution considerations
8. Categorization of enclosure elements and their joints
9. Design strategies (carriers, retarders, screens)
10. Design of walls
11. Design of joints
12. Design of roofs
13. Design of windows and industrial doors
14. Below-grade construction (basements, crawl spaces, etc.)
15. Space conditioning and energy considerations

3 class periods/week