Abstract:

The article presents the use in the process of teaching computer programs supporting the work of a designer in the field of designing connections of construction structures of buildings. The authors focus on teaching proper solutions in the field of thermal protection, in particular concerning linear and point thermal bridges.

Designing passive, low-energy or zero-energy buildings requires advanced knowledge in the field of Building Physics. Mastering the design details of such buildings by students requires them to familiarize themselves with the methodology of calculating and designing architectural elements supported by specialized programs. The basic problem for the teacher is the simultaneous transfer of specialist knowledge to students of the field of construction from two fields: computer science and architectural detail design. As a rule, students of the Faculty of Construction do not have sufficient computer science basics to enable them to use specialist software at the disposal of a contemporary designer without any problems.

Such programs allow for thermal modelling of both simple and complex solutions of architectural details. The creation of a proper model reflecting approximately accurate design solutions and real operating conditions creates great difficulties even for experienced designers.

The article shows how in working with students the authors try to pass on practical knowledge in the use of advanced IT tools to solve typical engineering problems. Practical simplifications, which can be used in modelling without harming the obtained result, and typical errors made both in modelling and in assuming boundary conditions in thermal calculations performed using specialized programs for linear and point calculations of thermal bridges are presented.

Keywords:

Computer programs, building physics, thermal modelling.