Evaluation of Discretized Transport Properties for Numerical Modelling of Heat and Moisture Transfer in Building Structures

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Graham H. Galbraith - , Glasgow Caledonian University (Author)
  • Jintang Li - , Glasgow Caledonian University (Author)
  • Jiansong Guo - , Glasgow Caledonian University (Author)
  • David Kelly - , Glasgow Caledonian University (Author)
  • R. Craig Mclean - , University of Strathclyde (Author)
  • John Grunewald - , Institute of Building Climatology, Chair of Building Physics (Author)

Abstract

Over the past decade, a large number of numerical models have been developed to predict heat and moisture transfer within building envelopes. In these models, the moisture transfer mechanism has been described and correlated by reference to the various transport phenomena and corresponding theories, viz. heat transfer and fluid flow. However, predicting the coupled heat and moisture performance of a building construction has never been a straightforward task, since a steady state situation hardly ever occurs and the transport properties (heat and moisture) of a material vary with moisture content and temperature. This paper discusses the transport phenomenon and the various numerical algorithms used in the discretization equations and how different algorithms affect the modelled results. Computer simulations have been conducted for different building materials and material combinations and comparisons have been made to evaluate the selection of discretized transport properties. Discrepancies in results are demonstrated between different mathematical interpolations, namely the Resistance (R) type formula and Linear (L) interpolation. Recommendations are given as guidance towards applying the most appropriate formulations for a given modelling scenario.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)240-260
Number of pages21
Journal Journal of thermal envelope & building science : JTEBS
Volume24
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2001
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84990348138

Keywords

Keywords

  • building materials, moisture transfer, numerical model, transport properties

Library keywords