Building physics is about understanding and managing processes that involve the transport of heat, moisture and air in materials, building components and buildings. We have a particular focus on the building's climate shell, i.e. the roof and exterior walls.
We work within the following fields:
- Energy efficiency
- Practical house building technique
- Choice of material for moisture-proof, durable, and functional buildings
- Daylight conditions and utilization of, or shielding for, solar radiation
- In addition to classical building physics, we also have expertise in acoustics and building acoustics.
Typical projects include:
We are involved in large and small projects within building physics, energy use, climate change and climate adaptation. The projects concern rehabilitation of existing buildings, new buildings and development and innovation related to new building materials and systems.
- Research-based advice on the development of new building materials, building systems, and construction methods
- Project review by third party independent assessment of building physical design and execution of construction projects
- Damage assessments, especially related to moisture damage
The methods we use are:
We can perform numerical calculations and analyses in most areas of building physics, for example:
- 1D and 2D moisture technical calculations of water vapor and capillary transport in walls, ceilings, and floors, including control of condensation and mold growth. SINTEF is a Norwegian partner with the developers of WUFI.
- Heat flow calculations for cold bridge values and U-values, as well as control for internal surface condensation
- Thermal indoor climate, for example, related to sun protection and overheating
- Daylight calculations
- Flows in ventilation systems, in buildings, around buildings (building and neighborhood level), pipes, and water-based heating/cooling systems in terms of liquid flow, heat transfer, and pollutants
Laboratory measurements and field trials
- Measurements of moisture and thermal material properties
- Measurements of the properties of entire building systems, e.g., airtightness, u-value, rainfall density
- Measurement of moisture and heat transport in exterior wall systems in climate simulator
- ZEB test cell laboratory - testing of low-energy integrated building systems, building materials, ventilation, and user comfort Living lab - a detached house that can be inhabited while we monitor the energy consumption
- ZEB-lab - zero-emission office building, where the interaction between installations, energy use, energy production, and people can be studied
- Full test station (building with walls and roof that can be instrumented and replaced)
- Logging of humidity and temperature in exterior structures in new and existing buildings