A numerical simulation of measured transient heat transfer through aconcrete ground floor slab and underlying substrata

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a numerical simulation of measured heat losses from a real building. In particular, the thermal response of a concrete ground floor slab and the underlying foundation soils has been analysed and the results calibrated against data acquired from a comprehensive long term in‐situ monitoring experiment. A numerical solution of a heat conduction model is obtained by use of the finite element method. Finite differences are used to accommodate the time varying nature of the problem. The model has been applied to the simulation of transient one‐dimensional behaviour. Diurnal and seasonal variations in temperature are considered. Good correlation between predicted and measured thermal response has been achieved. It is, therefore, claimed that the modelling approach adopted is capable of representing real in‐situ behaviour.