Experimental comparison between 3 different traditional wall constructions and dynamic simulations to identify optimal thermal insulation strategies

► Traditional wall constructions: capacity, stratification, and resistance. ► Performance of the existing envelope strictly depends on the strategy adopted. ► Traditional external insulation layer creates overheating in temperate climates. ► Ventilated external insulation layer reduces the internal...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy and buildings 2013-05, Vol.60, p.429-441
Main Authors: Stazi, Francesca, Vegliò, Ambra, Di Perna, Costanzo, Munafò, Placido
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Building envelope
Building insulation
Buildings
Buildings. Public works
Computation methods. Tables. Charts
Dynamic insulation
Exact sciences and technology
Experimental study
External envelopes
Indexing in process
Optimal retrofit solution
Parametric analyses
Structural analysis. Stresses
Thermal insulation
Traditional wall constructions
Ventilated external insulation layer
Wall. Partition
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:► Traditional wall constructions: capacity, stratification, and resistance. ► Performance of the existing envelope strictly depends on the strategy adopted. ► Traditional external insulation layer creates overheating in temperate climates. ► Ventilated external insulation layer reduces the internal surface temperature. The aim of this research is to verify the dynamic performance of 3 envelopes characterised by different traditional wall constructions adopted in temperate climates. In each case the optimal retrofit solution from the point of view of comfort and energy savings is identified. To that end contemporary experimental comparisons were made between 3 buildings which are characteristic of the existing building heritage. They were all constructed between the 1940s and the 1980s adopting envelopes which use different wall constructions to deal with the outdoor climate conditions: capacity (high thermal mass), stratification (different layers and a cavity), and resistance (the use of an insulation layer). Dynamic parametric analyses (EnergyPlus, CFD Fluent) were carried out in order to verify the impact of different retrofit solutions on the buildings studied. The results show that the behaviour of the 3 envelopes differs greatly because they interact in different ways according to climate changes. The use of considerable thicknesses of thermal insulation causes problems of overheating when coupled with high thermal mass, while it is an improvement in the stratified envelopes. The problem of summer discomfort can be resolved by adopting mixed insulation strategies such as a ventilated external insulation layer, which allows the existing envelopes to maintain their dynamic behaviour.
ISSN:0378-7788
DOI:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.01.032