Features of Materials versus Thermal Comfort in a Passive Building

Abstract

Summer time is especially difficult to provide optimal conditions of the microclimate in heavily used areas. Choosing optimal materials and construction solutions is essential and can guarantee maintaining comfortable conditions inside the building in all seasons, even when outside temperatures reach high levels. This article focuses primarily on the effect of the heat capacity of construction materials on the thermal comfort in a passive school building. Cellular concrete, silicate blocks and solid brick were analyzed. The simulation was performed from 15th May to 15th September. Results presented in this article show that in order to protect the building from overheating, heavy materials with a high heat capacity are the most effective. In case when highly conductive materials were used, it can be observed that lower inner temperatures appear during summer and predicted mean vote values are close to the thermal comfort zone.