Calculation of heat transfer from corners of buildings

Abstract

Calculation of heat transfer from comers is one of the fundamental heat transfer problems encountered in building services designs. At present, calculation methods provided by the engineering design guides have been based on one-dimensional heat transfer theory. No calculation method, except numerical analysis, is so far available to calculate accurately the heat loss from corner and bridge structures. This paper presents a novel method, which allows the practical calculation of the multidimensional heat transfer problem. The method is based on an analytical solution of the two-dimensional thermal conduction equation coupled with convective boundary condition. Comparisons of the calculation methods with experimental measurements and numerical prediction are illustrated and working examples are presented for some typical cases.