Engineer – building physics

Building physics engineers are active wherever building physics research results flow into technical developments. You improve e.g. heat and sound insulation and prevent moisture damage through appropriate materials and constructions. For these purposes, they develop building materials, for example insulation materials, but also special measuring, testing and manufacturing processes. They are also involved in the monitoring and testing of corresponding partial and finished products and are responsible for the quality of materials and processes. When supervising construction projects, they take care of the optimal use of the corresponding building materials. For example, building physics engineers advise employees of authorities, but also architects, e.g. in terms of house technology and energy saving. They prepare expert reports in which they analyze structural damage from a physical point of view.

Building physics engineers find employment e.g.

• in architecture or engineering offices
• in construction companies
• at manufacturers of building materials
• in institutes and authorities in the field of material testing and technical-physical examinations

The salary level for Engineer – building physics in Germany is: from 3560 up to 5732 EUR per month

Why is?

Building physics engineers test and optimize building materials as well as the associated measuring, testing and manufacturing processes. They advise authorities, architects and builders on construction projects and assess construction damage as experts.

Building materials testing, development and manufacturing

For the testing of building materials, building physics engineers, for example, develop models for determining material properties under special environmental influences and calculate the influence of forces and temperatures. In such test arrangements, they analyze e.g. the damage behavior of high-performance concrete. They evaluate test series and create technical documentation. Her tasks also include the simulation of technical systems with computer-aided models and the implementation of building physics experiments as part of development and research projects. Furthermore, they are involved in the optimization of materials and production or testing processes and ensure quality assurance. They monitor the manufacturing processes in the manufacture of building materials. Possibly. they also coordinate the use of resources and train the staff.

Supervision of construction projects

If building physics engineers supervise construction projects, they ensure the optimal use of building materials. Your advice is also e.g. in demand for energy, ventilation and sound insulation concepts, room acoustics or insulation materials. They calculate insulation thicknesses, solar energy gains depending on the window glazing, determine heat losses through the building envelope or advise architects on the question of roof ventilation.

As experts, they carry out measurements in the areas of impact sound, thermography, moisture or sound emissions, for example, and draw up building physics reports based on the results. If you have an additional qualification in the field of energy-saving construction according to the Energy Saving Ordinance, you can also issue building energy certificates. They also analyze buildings with regard to building pollutants, are partly involved in the planning and construction management of appropriate renovation or demolition measures and, if necessary, as a safety and health protection coordinator (SiGeKo). To e.g. Building physics engineers also work with building biologists to prevent future residents from being exposed to residential toxins or electrosmog.