Renewable Energy and Building Design

Building Design

• South-facing facades benefit from deciduous trees, overhangs, or louvers.
• East and west facades can be protected with vertical louvers.

Renewable Energy Types

• Renewable energy is a naturally occurring, inexhaustible energy source that is derived from non-fossil and non-nuclear fuels.
• Examples include solar, wind, tidal, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal.

Solar Energy

• Passive solar energy directly captures the sun's warmth and light through building design.
• Active solar energy uses technology to transform sunlight into electricity.

Wind Energy

• Wind energy uses the kinetic energy of air to generate electricity.
• Wind turbines or wind energy conversion systems transform wind energy into electricity.
• Wind energy is a rapidly growing energy source and has been used for hundreds of years.

Hydroelectric Energy

• Hydroelectric energy utilizes the flow of moving water to generate electricity.
• This method is one of the oldest and largest renewable energy sources.
• A dam stores water in a reservoir, which is released through a turbine to generate electricity.

Biomass (Biofuel) Energy

• Biomass energy uses plant-based material as fuel to generate heat or electricity.
• Examples include wood, agricultural residues, and waste from industries and households.

Foundation Materials

• Four common foundation materials include cast-in-place concrete, concrete block, preserved and treated wood, and insulated concrete forms (ICF).
• The thickness of each material varies depending on the depth of the wall below grade.

Foundation Walls

• Foundation walls can be laterally supported or unsupported.
• A laterally supported wall has a floor system secured to its top, preventing it from collapsing inward.
• An unsupported wall does not have a floor system secured to it.

Formwork

• Formwork is the mold used for pouring fresh concrete that shapes it until it cures.
• Formwork can be permanent or temporary.
• Metal tie bars are used to keep the formwork sides from separating.
• Formwork should remain in place for at least three days for proper curing.

Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF)

• ICFs create cast-in-place concrete walls sandwiched between layers of insulation, usually polystyrene foam.
• ICFs remain permanently in place, providing both formwork and insulation.
• They reduce labor costs and are energy efficient.

Cast-in-Place Concrete Foundation Walls

• Cast-in-Place concrete is poured into the formwork and cured on-site.
• The concrete should be vibrated during placement to remove air pockets.
• Concrete should be poured continuously to avoid segregation.

Engineered Wood Products (EWP)

• EWP includes various manufactured wood products made by binding or fixing wood strands, particles, fibers, or veneers together using adhesives or other methods.

Floor Framing Spans

• Beam span is the distance between the supported ends of a beam.
• Supported joist length is half the span of the floor joist on either side of the beam combined.
• Joist span is the clear distance between the two supporting ends of a joist.

Required Information for Beam Calculations

• Number of floors
• Beam span
• Supported joist length (SJL)
• Lumber type

Required Information for Floor Joist Calculations

• Joist span
• Lumber species or type of joist
• Joist spacing
• Type of bridging

Dead Load

• Dead load consists of the weight of the joists, materials above the joists, and permanent equipment in the building.
• It is typically calculated at 20 psf (pounds per square foot) or 1 kPa (kilopascal).

Explore the fundamentals of building design and its integration with renewable energy sources. This quiz covers topics like passive and active solar energy, wind energy technologies, and methods of protecting building facades. Test your knowledge on how sustainable practices can enhance energy efficiency.