Using the finite element method to predict heat dissipation in a timber frame building construction

Abstract

This article focuses on thermal engineering assessment of light building envelope structures using Finite Element Method (FEM). The research was carried out for a particular composition of a lightweight perimeter wall in winter, for which continuous experimental measurements are also carried out. In the preparation of calculation models for numerical simulation, the marginal conditions, which were obtained by experimental measurement, were used. Thus, for simulation purposes, the construction was loaded under the same boundary conditions as the actual structure being monitored within which experimental measurements were performed. The results of the experimental measurement made it possible to compare the actual measured data with the results of the numerical simulation. The difference between calculated and experimentally determined temperatures was in the range from 0.1 degrees C to 1.3 degrees C. This study demonstrated, that with the help of suitable simulation programs, it is possible to predict the thermal-technical behavior of lightweight perimeter constructions.