Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

A numerical analysis of two-dimensional transient heat transfer through the ground floor slab of a modem commercial building is presented. A finite-element model of heat conduction is applied to the thermal performance of a concrete slab of normal weight. The relevant experimental data and material properties are also briefly described. The results show a very good correlation between numerically simulated and field-measured thermal responses. A practical approach for the determination of a representative initial temperature distribution is illustrated. A relatively versatile modelling approach appears necessary to accommodate the interaction of a number of different material types. Furthermore, the variation of climauc boundary conditions with time and space needs to be included correctly in the analysis. The work is viewed as a contribution to the overall validation of ground heat transfer models via the direct comparison of simulated results with high-quality in-situ experimental data.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

NIFES Consulting Group (ed.) The Energy Saver - The Complete Guide to Energy Efficiency (London: Gee) (1993)

Clarke J.A. and Mauer T.W.

Advanced design tools for energy conscious building design: development and dissemination

Building and Environment 26(1) 24-25 (1991)

Bevington R. and Rosenfeld A.H.

Energy for buildings and homes

Scien. Amer. 39-45 (1990)

Trends and opportunities in the simulation of building thermal performance and HVAC systems

Building and Environment Special Issue 28(2) (1993)

Rees S.W. , Thomas H.R. and Lloyd R.M.

A Numerical Simulation of Measured Transient Heat Transfer through a Concrete Ground Floor Slab and Underlying Substrata

Int. J. Numerical Methods for Heat and Fluid Flow 5(8) 669-685 (October 1995)

Thomas H.R. and Lloyd R.M.

The thermal performance of an un-insulated ground floor slab in a real, occupied building - A long term monitoring programme

Proc. 2nd BEPAC Conf., York, UK pp35-41 (April 1994)

Thomas H.R. , Rees S.W. and Lloyd R.M.

Measured Heat Losses Through A Real Ground Floor Slab

J. Building Res. Information 24(1) 16-26( 1996)

Thomas H.R. and Rees S.W. The Thermal Performance of Ground Floor Slabs -A full Scale In-situ Experiment In press

CEN TC 89/WG 5 Buildings - Heat Exchange with the Ground - Calculation Method CEN Draft N166 (July 1992)

10.

CIBSE Guide Section A3 Thermal properties of building structures (London: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) ( 1986)

11.

The Building Regulatiorts 1991 - Conservation of fuel and power 1995 edn (London: HMSO) (1994)

12.

Building Research Establishment Heat losses through ground floor slabs BRE Digest 145 (London: HMSO ) ISBN 0 85125 418 7 (1976)

13.

Thomas H.R. The influence of Ground Conditions on Heat Losses Through Floor Slabs - An Investigation of Real Behaviour SERC contract GR/F/27314 ( Swindon, UK: Science and Engineering Research Council ) (1989)

14.

Lewis R.W. , Morgan K. , Thomas H.R. and Seetharamu K.N. The Finite Element Method in Heat Transfer Analysis ( Chichester : Wiley) ISBN 0 471 93424 0 (1996 )

Two-dimensional heat transfer beneath a modern commercial building: Comparison of numerical prediction with field measurement

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References