Thermal behaviour of a medieval sheltered building

Abstract This article analyses the thermal behaviour of a rock-sheltered building. The building, “Puig de la Balma”, was constructed during the Middle Ages and its is 60 km from Barcelona. Winter and summer temperatures and radiation measurements were taken every hour. The results showed the presence of an extremely large thermal inertia. A theoretical model has been drawn up based on the one-dimensional equation of heat flux transfer and Fourier series. The results of this model may be seen to support the experimental conclusions. It also explains the attenuation effects caused by the changes of temperature during the day. Apart from thermal inertia, other factors should also be considered such as humidity conditions or the mean radiant temperature. They all contribute to interior comfort.