Whole Building Approach Variations in Performance

1. Whole Building Approach Variations in Performance Thoughts and Reflections

2. Outline • Bricks @ the Swamp • Standards • Highlight performance data • Overview of Performance Parameters • Points to Ponder

5. Types of Bricks Building Bricks Structural element Strength and durability important Facing Bricks Used as wall facing element Appearance important Floor Bricks Used in finished floor surface Abrasion resistant Paving Bricks Used in road, sidewalks & driveways

6. Grades of Building Bricks

7. ASTM C62 Strength Requirements for Building Brick

8. Compressive Strength

9. Water Absorption

10. Linked Performance Parameters Air tightness - Efforts to save energy and reduce the flow of heat through building assemblies have reduced drying potentials Indoor air quality - Some AC systems only circulate the air already within the building - yet a fresh air supply is necessary to properly vent and maintain humidity levels. Moisture/ Vapor control - based on the relationships among: permeability of wall components; type of cladding; presence/lack/nature of an air space & the magnitude/duration of the vapor drive Durability – can be linked to condensation which is linked to air movement; in the US largely linked with leakage Thermal bridging (temperature ratio/hygrothermal stress and strain): Creating effective thermal barriers that stabilize the temperature in masonry (external insulation systems).

11. Key performance issue of exemplary wall assembly is reducing rain water absorption and penetration of the external rendering

12. Zero Energy Building (ZEB) • Much of the debate around reducing green house emissions.

13. Obama Administration Launches New Energy Efficiency Efforts, June 29, 2009 • Building on the action by the U.S. House of Representatives in passing historic legislation that will pave the way for the transition to a clean energy economy, President Barack Obama and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced aggressive actions to promote energy efficiency…. 

14. Most cost-effective way to avoid generation in the first place. • Empire State Building $20 million renovation expected to reduce the skyscraper’s energy use by 38 percent a year by 2013.

15. Lighting issues covered. • Space heating energy-efficient HVAC systems. • Significant gap: potential energy savings through enhancing the performance of the building envelopes (walls, roof…)

16. Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Existing Buildings – Statistics About three-fourths of the 81 billion or so buildings in the United States were built before 1979 Three-fourths of all commercial buildings are 10,000 square feet or smaller, with more than half at 5,000 square feet or smaller in size In the US, commercial buildings consume 36% of energy for space heating and 21% for lighting. 44% of all commercial buildings have brick, stone, or stucco as the predominant exterior wall material

17. Zero Energy Building (ZEB) • Approaches that can be implemented by facility operators with a relatively smaller budget.

18. Points to Ponder • Can we define a quality control strategy that optimizes building envelope performance in terms of • Air tightness, energy efficiency, durability, constructability, health and comfort of occupants (indoor environment), fire resistance, acoustics, and affordability?

19. Points to Ponder • What are the priority areas for new buildings? • What are the priority areas for existing buildings? • How can this research embrace global diversity? • What innovative models can be pursued to engage students’ in this research