Hugo Hens Livres

Note: The 3rd edition of this book has been published in September 2023. Bad experiences with construction quality, the energy crises of 1973 and 1979, complaints about 'sick buildings', thermal, acoustical, visual and olfactory discomfort, the need for good air quality, the move towards more sustainability - all these have accelerated the development of a field that, for a long time, was hardly more than an academic exercise: building physics. The discipline embraces domains such as heat and mass transfer, building acoustics, lighting, indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency. In some countries, fire safety is also included. Through the application of physical knowledge and its combination with information coming from other disciplines, the field helps to understand the physical phenomena governing building parts, building envelope, whole building and built environment performance, although for the last the wording 'urban physics' is used. Building physics has a real impact on performance-based building design. This volume on 'Applied Building Physics' discusses the heat, air and moisture performance metrics that affect building design, construction and retrofitting.

Bad experiences with construction quality, the energy crises of the 1970s, and concerns about 'sick buildings' have spurred the development of building physics, a field that was largely academic until recently. By applying existing physical knowledge and integrating insights from various disciplines, this field enhances our understanding of the physical performance of buildings and informs effective design and construction practices. The author draws on thirty years of teaching, research, and consultancy to present a comprehensive examination of heat and mass transport in building components. Key topics include steady and non-steady state heat conduction, convection, and thermal radiation, alongside essential thermal concepts such as reference temperatures, surface film coefficients, thermal transmissivity, and thermal bridging. The book also delves into water vapor dynamics, analyzing moisture flow in building materials and components, while addressing engineering concepts for assessing risks related to mold, mildew, and condensation. In the final section, heat and mass transfer are integrated into a cohesive model that reflects the real hygrothermal response of building components, as demonstrated in field experiments. The text successfully bridges theory and practical application, avoiding oversimplification and ensuring clarity throughout.

The book delves into the evolution of building physics, a discipline that has gained prominence due to experiences with building damage, the energy crisis of the 1970s, and concerns like the Sick Building Syndrome. It encompasses various aspects such as thermodynamics, acoustics, air quality, and energy efficiency, merging physical principles with insights from other fields. This integration enhances understanding of building components and their environments, positioning building physics as a key player in developing functional and energy-efficient structures in both new and existing buildings.

The book explores the evolution of building physics, particularly in response to issues like the energy crisis of the 1970s and the emergence of the Sick Building Syndrome. It addresses the growing demand for comfort, air quality, and noise protection, while highlighting the shift towards energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainability. By integrating thermodynamics, acoustics, lighting, and air quality, it enhances understanding of physical behaviors in construction, emphasizing the discipline's crucial role in developing efficient and functional buildings in both new and existing structures.

Focusing on balanced building performance, this book delves into the environmental impacts affecting buildings, highlighting practical implementations of various parameters that define internal and external conditions. It discusses key performance requirements at the building level, including thermal, acoustic, visual, and olfactory comfort, indoor air quality, energy consumption, durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Additionally, it offers an in-depth analysis of the requirements related to heat, air, and moisture behavior, along with measurement metrics for construction elements.

Focusing on the impact of performance-based requirements, this third volume in a trilogy on building physics explores how these demands influence building design and construction. It begins by outlining the functional requirements for buildings and then discusses the materials necessary to ensure effective thermal and moisture performance. This comprehensive approach provides insights into the integration of physics in architectural planning.

The book explores the evolution of building physics as a discipline shaped by historical events like the energy crisis and concerns over the Sick Building Syndrome. It addresses issues such as indoor climate comfort, sound insulation, and air quality, emphasizing the growing need for energy efficiency and sustainability. By integrating thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, acoustics, and lighting, it enhances understanding of the physical behavior of building components and their environments, positioning building physics as crucial for developing functional, energy-efficient structures today.

The 4th edition of this book, published in September 2023, addresses the evolution of building physics, a field that gained prominence due to poor construction quality, energy crises, and concerns about "sick buildings." It encompasses heat and mass transfer, acoustics, lighting, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency, with some regions also including fire safety. By integrating physical knowledge with insights from other disciplines, building physics clarifies the phenomena affecting building components and overall performance, often referred to as "urban physics." This discipline is now essential for performance-based building design. The book focuses on the description, analysis, and modeling of heat, air, and moisture transport in building assemblies and entire structures, emphasizing engineering applications and providing practical examples. Understanding these physical transport processes is crucial, as they significantly impact the building envelope's performance and the structure's serviceability. The third edition features revisions and expansions compared to the second edition, reflecting the ongoing advancements in the field.