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Engineering

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Civil Engineering

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Lightweight vs. heavyweight construction and their implication

This study involves the study of lightweight and heavyweight construction in conjunction with the strategies and techniques that are used for cooling, heating and ventilation in order to reduce energy consumption.

Details
language english
wordcount 12019 (cca 34 pages)
contextual quality N/A
language level N/A
price free
sources 65
Table of contents

1. Introduction 5

1.1 Energy efficiency in buildings 6
1.2 Environmental issues 7
1.3 Comfort 8

2. Thermally lightweight and heavyweight buildings 11

2.1 Lightweight construction, heavyweight construction  11
2.2 Thermally lightweight and thermally heavyweight buildings 11

3. Strategies and techniques for the effectiveness of thermal mass 16

3.1 Construction 16
3.2 Thermal mass 17
3.3 Passive Cooling through building fabric 18
3.4 Ventilation 20
3.5 Heating and Solar gains 21

4. Case studies 24

4.1 Business Promotion Centre 25
4.2 Building Research Establishment office (BRE) 29
4.3 Queens Building, De Montfort University 34

5. Lightweight vs. heavyweight construction 40

5.1 Lightweight construction 40
5.2 Heavyweight construction 42

6. Conclusion 46

References 48
Appendix 51

Preview of the essay: Lightweight vs. heavyweight construction and their implication

It is well known that buildings consume almost half of the delivered energy. Space and water heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting are the main energy consumers in buildings. Having in mind that buildings have a significant impact towards the environment, the need to assess the energy efficiency in buildings tends to be essential. In order to assess energy efficiency in buildings the study of the correlation between construction and energy consumption is critical. This involves the study of lightweight and heavyweight construction in conjunction with the strategies and techniques that are used for cooling, heating and ventilation in order to reduce energy consumption. Since the effectiveness of the above strategies is related to the thermal mass of the building, the selection of the construction type is crucial. Considering that each type of construction has advantages and disadvantages in terms of energy efficiency, it is difficult to indicate which type of construction is likely to be more effective. Nevertheless, energy efficiency may be achievable when the advantages of both types of construction are ...





... are exploited. Due to the fact that the mass of the structure has little effect to the performance of the thermal mass and considering the significant effect of the internal finishes, it is important to focus on the latter. Consequently, a lightweight structure combined with heavyweight internal finishes may be the most suitable approach in terms of energy efficiency.

Furthermore, the incorporation of thermal mass in the internal finishes of the building along with the appropriate placing of the thermal mass, results in a thermally heavyweight performance. However, special consideration should be given to avoid excess use of thermal mass, otherwise there is a risk that the building will tend to be a heavyweight construction. Additionally, a 50mm thick slab is enough to meet the conditions to maintain the thermal inertia of the building. Eventually, exposed and extended surface area, which contributes in the heat exchange with the environment, has to be considered along with the above. This approach not only meets the requirements for energy efficiency but it also involves the use of lightweight materials that have a low impact towards the environment.
Essay is in categories

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Engineering
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Civil Engineering
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Comments
Princess R.

When done properly a construction edifice will last a long period of time. This essay is very informative in as far as structural engineering is concerned.




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