Dynamic thermal response of buildings resulting from heating and cooling interruptions

Transient modelling of heat fluxes and temperatures in structures was conducted to examine the effect of various characteristics on the temperature response during unusual operating and extreme weather conditions. The analytical model was validated using published experimental data and numerical results from well-known computer codes. The effect of including radiation heat transfer between interior surfaces, using the Mean Radiative Temperature method, on the temperature response was investigated and found to be negligible for a typical commercial building and a house during winter and summer power outages. The effect of thermal mass in the interior and exterior walls on the inside temperature drift after an HVAC system cutoff or a power outage was presented. The inside air temperature response curve is presented for different wall (exterior or interior) constructions of buildings. The effect of insulation position in exterior walls was also shown for several R values. The effect of exterior wall emissivity, sky temperature, outside vertical convective coefficient, furnishings, and ground temperature on the interior temperature response during winter and summer power outages were examined for buildings. The effect of infiltration on the temperature drift in buildings was investigated during winter and summer power outages. Restarting the HVAC after the power outage was examined during both seasons for typical buildings. Outside temperature profiles exceeding the 97.5 design temperature criterion were used to study the effect of extreme weather on the interior temperature of buildings with the HVAC system operating.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1987

Author dc:creator

• Boufadel, George Fadlo

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Thomas, William

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Mahan, Robert
• Mashburn, William H.
• Nelson, Douglas J.
• Schubert, Robert P.
• Szeless, Adorjan G.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/74757

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/74757