Urban Thermodynamics
CIVIL-309 / 3 credits
Teacher:
Language: English
Remark: Pas donné en 2023-24
Summary
This course introduces the analysis of urban areas from a thermodynamics perspective, considering the heat exchange between different urban elements (buildings, vegetation, water surfaces, ground, and environment). Urban heat island effect and outdoor comfort topics are also discussed.
Content
- Urban physical processes at different scales, and their analysis
- Characteristics of the urban environment and urban micro-meteorology
- Environment-buildings-vegetation-ground-water surfaces thermal interaction
- Spatial distribution and dynamics of airflow, temperature, and humidity in cities
- Role of materials and urban design in thermal heat exchange
- Effect of urban elements on urban climate, outdoor comfort
Keywords
Urban heat exchange, urban atmosphere/boundary layer, urban elements interaction, environmental impact, built environment, urban green areas and water bodies, urban heat island (UHI) effect, outdoor thermal comfort
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
- General physics: thermodynamics PHYS-106
Recommended courses
- Fluid mechanics (for GC) CIVIL-210
- Fundamentals of indoor climate CIVIL-221
Important concepts to start the course
Heat transfer modes (convection, conduction, radiation)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Assess / Evaluate heat distribution in urban zones
- Critique the choice of urban materials and design and propose alternative solutions
- Analyze various modes of heat transfer in urban environment
- Carry out thermodynamic analysis at urban scale
- Examine the effect of the outdoor built environment on human comfort
- Assess / Evaluate surface energy balance at various urban surfaces
Transversal skills
- Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra and exercises in class
Expected student activities
Participate in lectures and exercise sessions
Assessment methods
Three written tests: 30%+45%+25%
Supervision
| Office hours | No |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | No |
Resources
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
No
Bibliography
- T.R. Oke, G.Mills, A. Christensen, J.A. Vooght, Urban Climates, Cambridge University Press
- S. Medved, Building Physics: Heat, Ventilation, Moisture, Light, Sound, Fire, and Urban Microclimate, Springer
- A. Rodrigues, R.A. Sardinha, G. Pita, Fundamental Principles of Environmental Physics, Springer
- N. Mason, P. Hughes, Introduction to Environmental Physics: Planet Earth, Life and Climate, Taylor & Francis
Ressources en bibliothèque
- T.R. Oke, G.Mills, A. Christensen, J.A. Vooght, Urban Climates, Cambridge University
- S. Medved, Building Physics: Heat, Ventilation, Moisture, Light, Sound, Fire, and Urban Microclimate, Springer
- N. Mason, P. Hughes, Introduction to Environmental Physics: Planet Earth, Life and Climate, Taylor & Francis
- A. Rodrigues, R.A. Sardinha, G. Pita, Fundamental Principles of Environmental Physics, Springer
Moodle Link
Prerequisite for
- Building energetics ENG-445
- Thermodynamics of comfort in buildings CIVIL-450
NB: ce cours ne sera pas dispensé en 2023-2024
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Urban Thermodynamics
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks