BEN655 - Building Envelope Systems

Subject Title
Building Envelope Systems

Subject Description
Building envelope is the largest building element that separates the conditioned interior of the building from the external environment which includes the roof, walls, windows, glazing, floors and all the joints in between. Deficiencies in the building envelope reduce the thermal performance of the building, resulting in increased operating costs; reduce the durability of the envelope itself, leading to costly repairs; and increase the likelihood of contaminants entering the indoor environment, affecting the health of the occupants. Therefore, ensuring good performance of building envelopes is essential for achieving high-performance buildings i.e. energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
 
This course includes building envelope fundamentals, i.e. building science principles as applied in building envelope design, the introduction of different building envelope components and systems, methods and procedures of testing/evaluating building envelope performance, and case studies of building envelope failures. The focus will be on the detailed design of building envelopes including walls, windows, roofs and below grades. Critical issues such as long-term performance, energy efficiency, durability, and integrated design will be addressed

Credit Status
One subject credit.
 

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Develop a good understanding of various types of building envelope systems including materials, components, and design details
2. Analyze the performance requirements and propose an appropriate building envelope design i.e. wall assemblies, windows, and roofs for a given building
3. Apply key performance, maintenance and life-cycle cost indicators to building envelope design
4. Apply relevant building codes, standards and test procedure regarding building envelope performance
5. Assess building envelope design details, identify problems and propose solutions
6. Recognize typical envelope failures, diagnose using both analytical and test methods, and recommend repairs

Essential Employability Skills
    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
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Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
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Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
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Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
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