The building envelope (or building enclosure) is the physical separator between the interior and the exterior environments of a building. It serves as the outer shell to help maintain the indoor environment (together with the mechanical conditioning systems) and facilitate its climate control. Building envelope design is a specialized area of architectural and engineering practice that draws from all areas of building science and indoor climate control Structures. The first part of this course is designed to enables all constructors to plan, design, construct, maintain, and repair the building envelope specially the residential buildings.

The second part of this course is deal with the structural assessment. Like people never get younger. Structures, like people can maintain their good health with age, if properly cared for, examined, and treated when needed. One may view this course, in this context, as a structural Physician's reference.

It may be said that a structure that has withstood the combined effects of use, abuse, loads, and environmental conditions over time has, in fact, proven itself. However, buildings and other structures do deteriorate with time because of repeated loadings, exposure to the elements, aging of materials, wear and tear from normal use, abuse, inadequate maintenance, and other factors.

Engineers and managers working in the field of design, construction and maintenance of structures often feel the lack of a comprehensive practical guide on the practice, needs and effective programs of good maintenance. Few practical references are available that bridge the gap between theoretical, technical, practical and managerial matters in this regard.

This course is designed to meet the needs of engineers, managers, Repair contractors, municipal building inspectors, designers and professionals, and owners /managers of buildings who are working in the area of construction, and facing the challenges of maintaining and preserving good, sound buildings. It is specifically useful for structural engineers, quality assurance experts, construction and supervision engineers, owners and managers of constructed facilities.

Day One

Building envelope

ν What is the building envelope?

ν What are the building envelope requirements?

ν Why is the building envelope?

Saving

Comfortable

healthy

ν Keep the outside out and the inside in. 

Home Envelope

Air Leaks

Basement Air Leaks

Fireplaces

Exterior Sealing

Duct Sealing

Caulking



Day Two

Insulation

ν R-Values

ν Attic

ν Story-and-a-Half

ν Basement

ν Wall

ν Vapor Retarder

ν Types of Insulation



Day Three

Insulation (cont.)

ν Windows & Doors.

ν U-factor and SHGC Ratings

ν Weather-stripping

ν Replacement Options

ν New Windows

ν New Doors Examining of the building envelope.

ν What are your devices to assess building envelope.



Day Four

Engineering Structure assessment (cont.)

ν Types and causes of nonperformance and failures

ν Causes of deterioration of concrete

ν Exposure to aggressive chemicals

ν Carbonation

ν Erosion

ν Alkali-silica reactivity

ν Thermal volume change

ν Fire damage

ν Non-structural elements



Day Five

Structure assessment (cont.)

ν Assessing and examining a building.

ν What the needs from the engineer.

ν How to asses a building to judge between two companies or organizations?

ν What are the steps that the engineer should take into account during his mission?

ν Assessing to know the structural safety of the building.

ν Assessing for repair and rehabilitation.

ν Three cases study for repair.

ν Assessing for investment.

ν How to write the final report.

ν Three cases study for the structural safety.