Rees, S W; Zhou, Z and Thomas, H R (2006) Multidimensional simulation of earth-contact heat transfer. Building Research & Information, 34(6), pp. 565-572. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
A numerical investigation of earth-contact heat transfer adjacent to an experimental structure is presented. In particular, a comparison is made between a two- and a three-dimensional simulation. The results are compared directly with data measured from a purpose-built full-scale experiment. Indirect methods of estimating thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity are described and employed. The results show reasonable correlation between the simulated and measured thermal responses. The three-dimensional simulation appears to provide an improved representation of the field problem. Some of the challenges associated with simulating a full-scale field problem are considered. The determination of the representative boundary and initial conditions is shown to be important.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildings; earth-contact; energy efficiency; field measurement; heat transfer; simulation |
| Index terms: | thermal conductivity, experiment, investigation, estimating, field-measurement, energy efficiency |
| Subjects: | material properties and characteristics, sustainability and energy, financial and cost management, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Cost Management, Research Practice, Construction Materials |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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