Technical physics and energy sustainability of buildings

Learning objectives

Gain knowledge of

• fundamental principles of Thermodynamics;
• of the main heat transfer mechanisms;
• fundamental principles of acoustics.

For all three points mentioned, the fundamental objective is the acquisition of the knowledge necessary to apply the basic principles to industrial and civil systems and environmental interest

Course content

THERMODYNAMICS
Introduction to the course and definitions.
Thermodynamic systems. Closed systems and open systems.
First Law: First Law for cyclic transformations; specific heats, conservation of mass.
Thermodynamic Transformations. Thermodynamic diagrams. Saturated vapours. Ideal gases: generalities; equation of state; transformations of ideal gases. Pure substances: generality; (p,v,T), (p,T) and (p,v) diagrams; thermodynamic properties. mixtures of air and water vapr
Second Principle: Statements; reversibility and irreversibility; Carnot cycle reversible thermodynamic cycles; entropy.
Gas cycles: Petrol, Diesel Brayton
Steam thermodynamic cycles: Rankine cycle; refrigeration cycle.
Psychometrics and psychrometric applications

HEAT TRANSMISSION
Heat exchange mode. Generalities and definitions.
Conduction. Fourier's law. Thermal conductivity. Fourier's equation. Stationary conduction without heat generation. Electrothermal analogy, transient conduction with lumped parameters
Convection. Generality. Forced, natural and mixed convection. Elements of dimensional analysis. Forced convection: special cases. Natural and mixed convection: special cases.
Transmittance of a wall and global heat transfer coefficient. Heat exchangers

Radiation. Generality. Definitions. Fundamental quantities. Black body radiation. Fundamental laws of radiation.
Technical applications. Generality. Conduction and convection.
Thermal insulation.
Thermal comfort; metabolism; clothing, body surface heat exchange, PMV, PPD, local discomfort

ACOUSTIC
Sound, frequencies, operations in acoustics
propagation in open and closed fields (sound insulation and sound absorption)
psychophysical acoustics,
legislation for workplaces, outdoor and indoor residential environments

Teaching method:
Lectures and classroom exercises

Prerequisites

Mathematical Analysis I
Fundamental concepts of Analysis. Limits, derivatives and integrals. Function studies.
It is essential that students possess the elementary notions of Mathematics, Algebra and Geometry (trigonometry, logarithms, algebraic equations, etc.) which are not, strictly speaking, part of the Mathematical Analysis programs but are a prerequisite. Basic notions on differential equations.
General Physics
Fundamental concepts and quantities of Mechanics: force, work, energy, power. Units of measurement and their use in calculations, with particular regard to the different systems of units of measurement and conversions between systems.

Bibliography

MJ Moran, HN Shapiro, BR Munson, DP DeWitt Elements of Technical Physics for Engineering
Italian edition McGraw Hill 2011

Copy of the lecture slides available at the following link

Assessment methods and criteria

Written exam on thermodynamic properties of fluids and oral exam on the whole programme

Expected results
The student will internalize the concepts of energy conservation, its degradation, heat and sound transmission