2020-2021 / ELEN0443-2

Acoustics and lighting of buildings

Introduction

Methods and applications

Duration

Introduction : 15h Th, 14h Pr
Methods and applications : 15h Th, 10h Pr, 16h Proj.

Number of credits

 Master of Science (MSc) in Architectural Engineering5 crédits 

Lecturer

Introduction : Jean-Jacques Embrechts
Methods and applications : Jean-Jacques Embrechts

Coordinator

Jean-Jacques Embrechts

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Introduction

Course description :
This course is an introduction to building acoustics and interior lighting techniques. The basic principles of applied acoustics are presented and explained. It is then shown how to evaluate discomfort and annoyance through specific indicators. This first part ends with some notions in room acoustics. The introduction to lighting techniques begins with the basic principles of photometry, then the properties of the different lamps and luminaires are described. Finally, the problems in interior lighting design are briefly discussed.

Methods and applications

Course description :
This course gives additional items to building acoustics and interior lighting techniques.
In building acoustics,  the different approaches of room and architectural acoustics are described, together with the problems of sound transmission through walls and floors. The introduction to lighting techniques is complemented with some applications of the methods for interior lighting design and an introduction to natural lighting. Finally, a student project will be organised in room acoustics or interior lighting.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Introduction

At the end of the course, it is intended that the student will be able to: - understand the basics of sound propagation and its different modes, - evaluate and measure sound levels in decibels and combine the contribution of several sound sources, - understand the basics of psychoacoustics and the origin of the dBA, - understand and apply some noise indicators describing discomfort, in particular equivalent noise levels, - calculate and measure reverberation times (absorption necessary to reach a given RT),
- understand and apply the basic photometric quantities used in lighting techniques, - understand recommendations, technical documentations or standards published in the lighting techniques literature, - apply the basic laws of photometry (for example to calculate the illuminance in simple situations), - identify the different types of lamps, their properties and applications, - propose a quick evaluation of an artificial lighting installation for an interior space.

Methods and applications

At the end of the course, it is intended that the student will be able to (for both parts of the course): - understand the basics of sound propagation and its different modes, - evaluate and measure sound levels in decibels and combine the contribution of several sound sources, - understand the basics of psychoacoustics and the origin of the dBA, - understand and apply some noise indicators describing discomfort, in particular equivalent noise levels, - understand the effects of eigenmodes in rooms and determine their frequencies, - calculate and measure reverberation times (absorption necessary to reach a given RT), - identify the most frequent problems in architectural acoustics and propose solutions, - propose and apply simulation models in room acoustics, in order to reach well-defined quality criteria (RT, EDT, D50, C80, etc...), - identify the most frequent problems in building sound insulation and propose solutions, - evaluate the transmission loss index of simple walls,
- understand and apply the basic photometric quantities used in lighting techniques, - understand recommendations, technical documentations or standards published in the lighting techniques literature, - apply the basic laws of photometry (for example to calculate the illuminance in simple situations), - identify the different types of lamps, their properties and applications, - design an artificial lighting installation for an interior space, - evaluate the quality and amount of daylight available in an interior space, depending on its dimensions, the location and area occupied by the windows.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Introduction

Basic mathematics and physics for engineers.

Methods and applications

Basic mathematics and physics for engineers.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Introduction

First of all, this course is organised in modules, each of them consisting in a general presentation ex cathedra, followed by applications and exercices with the teacher.
Lab' demonstrations will be organised, when possible.

Methods and applications

First of all, this course is organised in modules, each of them consisting in a general presentation ex cathedra, followed by applications and exercices with the teacher.
Lab' demonstrations will be organised, when possible.
A student's project will be organized in room acoustics or interior lighting.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Introduction

Face-to-face learning.

IMPORTANT: the COVID-19 health situation could possibly modify this organization.

Methods and applications

Face-to-face learning.
IMPORTANT: the COVID-19 health situation could possibly modify this organization.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

Introduction

The documents and slides will be made available to the students who are registered to this course via myULg.

Methods and applications

The documents and slides will be made available on-line (via myULg) for the students who are registered to this course.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Introduction

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

Face-to-face
The evaluation is first based on an oral examination during which the student will answer to questions concerning the theory that has been exposed during the presentations ex-cathedra. He/she will also solve some exercises (bringing a calculator is essential).
 
On-line
Interview during approx; 45 minutes, including some exercises (bringing a calculator is essential).

Methods and applications

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

Face-to-face
The evaluation is first based on an oral examination during which the student will answer to questions concerning the theory that has been exposed during the presentations ex-cathedra. He/she will also solve some exercises (bringing a calculator is essential).
 
On-line
Interview during approx; 45 minutes, including some exercises (bringing a calculator is essential).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Introduction

This course is organised during the spring semester.
Site: Montefiore Institute B28.
The official language is French.
IMPORTANT: the COVID-19 health situation could possibly modify this organization. At the time of writing this document, there are still uncertainties on the future practical organization of the courses.

Methods and applications

This course is organised during the spring semester.
Site: Montefiore Institute B28.
Official language is French.
IMPORTANT: the COVID-19 health situation could possibly modify this organization. At the time of writing this document, there are still uncertainties on the future practical organization of the courses.

Contacts

Introduction

J.J. Embrechts

Methods and applications

J.J. Embrechts