Element B: Shell

Abstract

Of primary importance to the shell of a building is the mediation between the exterior and interior environment. Environmental conditions to be maintained within the building influence the design of the shell. The building shell should be a major part of the sustainable strategy. Walls and other surfaces on or around buildings respond to ambient temperature change, solar radiation, wetting and drying effects from precipitation, and varying cloud cover by either increasing or decreasing in volume and therefore in linear dimension. For residential buildings in cold climates, heat loss through the enclosure may be the largest component of total energy consumption. Buildings must be properly braced to resist racking under wind and seismic loads. Shop‐fabricated wood trusses have been used in building construction since 1953, when the metal connector plate was invented. The chapter examines common floor construction assemblies and common systems used in roof construction.