Thermal simulation

With thermal simulation, one can predict hour-by-hour changes in the average air and surface temperatures in rooms, on the basis of the changing impacts of relevant internal and external thermal loads. Such impacts include the time-dependent storage and buffer effects of massive structural components.

Thermal-simulation calculations take account of building geometry, weather data, geographic factors, the physical parameters pertaining to room enclosures and the daily-use patterns of the building's occupants. All such factors are taken into account in determining the expected internal and external thermal loads.

Thermal simulation can illuminate the following issues:

  • what operational (perceived) room temperatures can be expected
  • the frequency with which non-conformance with certain temperature classes (summer thermal insulation pursuant to DIN 4108-2) would occur
  • the energy requirements for heating and cooling, under realistic conditions or certain expected future conditions
  • how heat-storing structural components would affect thermal comfort
  • how different sun-protection measures and facade designs would affect indoor climates
  • the effects of improvement measures, such as supportive night ventilation or thermal activation of structural components
  • the efficiency and impacts of planned night-ventilation systems

Dynamic thermal building simulation thus is of use in optimizing planning. It makes it possible to assess indoor comfort levels pursuant to the following standards:

  • DIN 4108-2
  • DIN EN 15251
  • DIN EN ISO 7730
  • DGNB
  • BNB
  • LEED

References

> Archäologische Zone, Cologne
> HDI-Gerling, Hanover 
> Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg
> Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum, Berlin
> Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen
> NCT, Heidelberg
> City-Center Bergedorf, Hamburg
> Rheinpark Metropole, Cologne
> Bibliothek Folkwang-Hochschule, Essen
> LuxConnect DC2, Bissen-Roost, Luxembourg
> LVR Klinikum, Essen
> t.i.m.e.-port III, Bremerhaven
> Disch-Haus, Cologne