Transient conduction analytical solutions for testing of building energy simulation programs

Abstract

As part of a recent effort to develop an analytical verification test suite for building fabric models of whole building energy simulation programs, two new transient conduction analytical tests have been developed. These new tests make it possible to use boundary conditions that are typical of real building conduction heat transfer conditions. This paper describes the corresponding analytical models and the derivation of the solutions. Some details of existing tests are given for the sake of completeness. The zone description and parameter requirements necessary to apply the tests, along with results from two test programs, are also presented. Practical application: Building energy simulation programs are being increasingly relied upon by practicing engineers for design, performance evaluation and in demonstrating regulation compliance. Accordingly there is a significant demand for simulation model and computer program quality assurance. These tests can be used by developers and users to demonstrate a program’s ability to calculate conduction heat transfer processes.