CIVL3811: Building Design Process Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the maximum comfortable wind speed indoors when movement is required?

1.0 meter per second (correct)

0.5 meters per second

1.5 meters per second

2.0 meters per second

What is the predicted mean vote (PMV)?

The average thermal sensation of a large number of subjects (correct)

An individual’s thermal sensation response

The maximum air speed considered comfortable

A standard measure for air quality

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the comfort zone?

Relative humidity

Outdoor air pollution (correct)

Clothing insulation

Dry bulb temperature

What does the acronym PPD stand for in relation to thermal dissatisfaction?

Percentage of People Dissatisfied Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of ASHRAE Standard 55-2004?

To specify acceptable thermal conditions for occupants Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of design intent in the building process?

A high-level outcome statement of the design Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is considered a passive strategy in building design?

Incorporating large windows for natural lighting Signup and view all the answers

In sustainable design, what does carbon-neutral design aim to achieve?

Balancing carbon emissions with carbon offsets Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'aggregating rather than isolating' in design manifest?

Creating cohesive spaces that promote interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a passive system?

Utilizes no purchased energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of system is primarily non-renewable and relies on purchased energy?

Active System Signup and view all the answers

What defines a net-zero-energy building?

It produces as much energy as it consumes annually. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key feature of a hybrid system?

It blends active and passive systems, emphasizing passive. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a design criterion mentioned?

Minimal use of technology Signup and view all the answers

In building design, what is emphasized by ‘flexibility for occupants’?

Varied space usage options. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consideration in the design process according to conflicting design criteria?

Trade-offs between different objectives. Signup and view all the answers

A building that focuses on indoor environmental quality primarily aims to improve what aspect?

The occupants' comfort and health. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes regenerative and restorative buildings?

They have a net-positive impact on the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE)?

To gather feedback on the building's performance from users. Signup and view all the answers

What does a lower HERS Index Score indicate?

Greater energy efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

How is efficiency defined in the context provided?

The ratio of system output to system input. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes sustainability?

Sustainability involves planning for future generations' needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a goal of regenerative buildings?

Increasing energy costs for users. Signup and view all the answers

Why might urban agriculture be included in building design?

To provide food and restore ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is TRUE regarding a sustainable project?

It has no net negative environmental impacts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Green Star Rating system primarily focused on?

Sustainability rating for buildings Signup and view all the answers

Which building received a 6 Star Green Star Design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia?

Tyree Building Signup and view all the answers

In which year was the Green Star Rating system launched?

2003 Signup and view all the answers

What does BASIX stand for?

Building Sustainability Index Signup and view all the answers

What does BASIX analyze in its evaluation process?

Thermal loads and water and energy targets Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for obtaining a BASIX certificate?

Submitting landscape plans Signup and view all the answers

Who awards the Green Star rating?

The Green Building Council of Australia Signup and view all the answers

Tyree building is associated with which Australian university?

University of Sydney Signup and view all the answers

What does the BASIX tool assess?

Anticipated water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a controlling factor for thermal comfort?

Cost of construction Signup and view all the answers

What is mean radiant temperature (MRT) a measure of?

Uniform surface temperature of an imaginary black enclosure Signup and view all the answers

What feeling may result from wind speeds below 0.1 meter per second?

Sensation of stuffiness Signup and view all the answers

How is ecological footprint commonly estimated?

Area of wilderness required to supply resources and assimilate waste Signup and view all the answers

Which type of BASIX tool assessment would be appropriate for multi-dwelling projects?

New dwellings – multi-dwellings Signup and view all the answers

In terms of thermal comfort, what best describes the impact of surrounding walls, ceiling, floor, and windows?

They influence mean radiant temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of assessing thermal comfort?

To ensure occupant satisfaction and comfort Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Building Technology

Course code: CIVL3811
Course title: Engineering Design and Construction
Offered by: School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney

Design Process

Part of the building procurement process
Design professionals translate owner's needs into documents for contractors
Involves various stages like inception, scoping, appraising, surveying, initial concept, scheme design to planning and specialized inputs
Professionals consult various stakeholders, plan, and review design
Important to consider optimal routes, access points, street continuity and enclosure, and sun's path's influence on design
Design involves different elements like site context, noise, impact, urban drainage, privacy, and views

Influences on the design process

Codes and standards
Costs
Passive and active approaches
Energy efficiency
Passive house performance
Green building design strategies
Carbon-neutral design
Design strategies for sustainability
Regenerative design strategies

A philosophy of design

Let nature do the work
Consider nature as model and a context
Aggregate rather than isolate
Match technology to the need
Seek common solutions to disparate problems
Shape the form to guide the flow
Shape the form to manifest the process
Provide multiple pathways
Manage storage

Design Intent

Statement outlining the expected outcome of the design process
Example intents include outstanding occupant comfort, consideration of current information technology, green building principles, carbon neutrality, and flexibility.

Conflicting Design Criteria

Trade-off between different objectives in the design process

Active and Passive Systems

Passive System: Uses no purchased energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, fuel oil)
- Example: daylighting system, where system components have multiple roles (e.g., concrete floor as structure, walking surface, and solar collector).
- Typically tightly integrated with overall building design and often designed by architects.
Active System: Primarily uses purchased (non-renewable) energy
- Example: electric lighting, gas furnace.
- Often non-architectural and loosely integrated into building design.

Hybrid System

Combines active and passive approaches, primarily leaning toward passive
Example: ceiling fans (active) added to a natural ventilation (passive) cooling system to enhance performance and reduce energy consumption.

Net-Zero-Energy Building

Produces enough energy from renewables (solar or wind) to match consumption from non-renewable resources.
Core components include maximizing energy efficiency, prioritizing on-site renewables, utilizing off-site renewables, and measuring/managing net-zero operations.
Additional components include electrification readiness, optimizing building-grid integration and minimizing on-site fossil fuel consumption.

Regenerative and Restorative Buildings

Produce more energy than consumed and share excess; create opportunities for urban agriculture; recharge groundwater systems or create ecosystems for local species.

Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE)

Systematic and rigorous evaluation of buildings after construction and occupancy
Collects feedback from users and operators to improve performance.

Design for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort

Focus on energy efficiency and thermal comfort in design
Charts and diagrams illustrate the factors of thermal comfort like sunlight, temperature, humidity, airflow, and radiant heat.

Energy Efficiency

Efficiency is the ratio of system output to input.
Higher output for a given input indicates higher efficiency.
Sustainability involves meeting current needs without hindering future generations.
A sustainable project avoids negative environmental impacts.
Green projects aren't necessarily sustainable.
HERS (Home Energy Rating System) is a scoring system developed by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) to express a home's energy efficiency. HERS sets a baseline performance (100) and exemplary (0) performance.

HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index

Scoring system developed by RESNET
Used to express a home's energy efficiency
Baseline performance is 100; exemplary is 0

Green Star Rating

Sustainability rating system for Australian buildings
Launched in 2003 by the Green Building Council of Australia
Tyree building at UNSW has a 6-Star Green Star Design rating.

ABS Building – The University of Sydney

The building is located on the UNSW campus.

BASIX

NSW Government building sustainability index.
- Calculates thermal loads based on occupant behaviour for openings (windows, doors, and shading).
- Analyses data to ensure compliance with water and energy targets.
- Assesses anticipated water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Three BASIX online assessment tools for new dwellings (single and multi-family), and alterations/additions.

Environmental Footprint

Plots resource demands of an area as a footprint on the planet.
Commonly measured as the land and sea area needed to provide resources for a population and assimilate waste (in global hectares).

Thermal Comfort

ASHRAE condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with thermal environment.

Controlling Factors for Thermal Comfort

Air temperature
Humidity
Mean Radiant temperature
Air speed
Metabolic rate
Clothing level

Radiation-Thermal Comfort

Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) is the surface temperature of a uniform enclosure where an occupant exchanges the same amount of radiant heat as actual space.
MRT is affected by factors like surrounding walls, ceiling, floor, and windows.
MRT is measured using a globe thermometer and can fluctuate depending on ambient air temperature, heat flow, and solar radiation.

Air Speed-Thermal Comfort

Wind speeds below 0.1 m/s can cause stuffiness.
Wind speeds up to 1.0m/s are comfortable indoors.
Higher speeds lead to discomfort.

ASHRAE Standard

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard defines comfort level.
uses thermal sensation scale.
Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) represents the average thermal sensation response.

Comfort Zone

Range of dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, air speed, clothing insulation, and activity considered comfortable.
These conditions can be represented on a psychometric chart.

Indoor Air Quality

90% of our lives are spent indoors.
Indoor air can be 2 – 5x more polluted than outdoor air.
Common indoor air pollutants include airborne particles, formaldehyde, household odors and gases, ozone, and carbon dioxide.

Wall Opening

Example of a design issue involving knocking down walls between rooms.
- Client needs to knock down walls for a new opening/hallway

Where to start in a wall opening Project

Critical considerations for wall openings include load-bearing status, wall/framing materials, and loads running through the wall (electrical, plumbing, etc.). Assessment of approvals, appropriate fire ratings, and any impact on neighbors/property is needed.

Structural Design

Drawings demonstrating orange denoted plates for structural support
The project involves various structures (B1, B2).

Removing Load Off Walls

Temporary supports (props) are critical for structural integrity during demolition or modifications of interior structures.

Needling

Temporary supports to sustain the structural stability of parts being worked on.

Photos During Construction

Illustrations of how part of the construction is progressing to demonstrate different structural elements.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the design process in building technology with this quiz from the CIVL3811 course. Explore important aspects such as stakeholder consultation, design elements, and influences like codes, costs, and sustainability strategies. Ideal for students in civil engineering looking to enhance their understanding of engineering design principles.