Experimental Set-up and Full-scale measurements in the ‘Cube'

Abstract

The Cube' is an outdoor test facility located at the main campus of Aalborg University. It has been built in the fall of 2005 with the purpose of detailed investigations of the DSF performance, development of the empirical test cases for validation and further improvements of various building simulation software for the modelling of buildings with double skin facades in the frame of IEA ECBCS ANNEX 43/SHC Task 34, Subtask EDouble Skin Facade. The test facility is designed to be flexible for a choice of the DSF operational modes, natural or mechanical flow conditions, different types of shading devices etc. Moreover, the superior control of the thermal conditions in the room adjacent to the DSF and the opening control allow to investigate the DSF both as a part of complete ventilation system and as a separate element of building construction. The test facility is equipped to allow measurements of any power supplied to the experimental zone in order to maintain the necessary thermal conditions. An accuracy of these measurements is justified by the quality of the facility construction: ‘the Cube' is very well insulated and tight.