A thermal design tool for buildings in ground contact

Abstract Simulation of the heat flow into the ground underneath a building is usually performed by means of involved calculation procedures which do not take into account other heat flow paths. An efficient design tool for buildings in ground contact is lacking. This paper consequently describes how heat flow into the ground can be simplified and incorporated in an efficient design tool. The design tool is based on a first order thermal model calculated by means of straightforward equations. Other features of the design tool include the simulation of multizone behaviour, comfort temperatures, time dependent thermal parameters such as variable ventilation as well as alternative air-conditioning systems such as evaporative and structural cooling. The proposed simulation of ground contact is validated in 53 existing buildings comprising a wide range of thermal characteristics.

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