Building Engineering Sustainable Building Design and Energy Efficiency 2

Question 1

What does the R-value of insulation measure?

Accepted Answer

Resistance to heat flow — higher R-value means better insulating performance

Answer

R-value quantifies a material's thermal resistance; doubling the thickness of insulation approximately doubles the R-value and halves heat flow through the assembly.

Question 2

What is greywater and how is it used in sustainable building design?

Accepted Answer

Lightly contaminated wastewater from sinks and showers reused for toilet flushing or irrigation

Answer

Greywater from lavatories, showers, and laundry contains minimal contaminants and can be treated and reused for toilet flushing or landscape irrigation, significantly reducing potable water demand.

Question 3

What is net-zero energy building (NZEB) design?

Accepted Answer

A building that generates as much renewable energy annually as it consumes from the grid

Answer

NZEBs balance annual energy production from on-site renewables (typically solar PV) against total energy consumption, achieving a net annual energy balance of zero.

Question 4

What is the purpose of a green roof (vegetated roof) on a building?

Accepted Answer

To reduce stormwater runoff, improve insulation, and mitigate urban heat island effect

Answer

Green roofs slow and reduce stormwater runoff, provide insulation, reduce cooling loads through evapotranspiration, extend membrane life, and reduce urban heat island temperatures.

Question 5

What does fenestration refer to in building envelope design?

Accepted Answer

The placement, size, and type of windows, doors, and other glazed openings

Answer

Fenestration encompasses all glazed openings in the building envelope and their performance characteristics including solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), U-factor, visible transmittance, and air leakage.

Building Engineering Practice Test

Building Engineering Practice Test

Building Engineering Sustainable Building Design and Energy Efficiency 2