Showing 2 results for Thermal Mass
Dr. Mahdi Zandieh, Mr. Irsa Khaleghi, Mr. Ramin Rahgoshay,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2012)
Abstract
In some climates, massive buildings made of stone, masonry, concrete, earth and … can be utilized as one of the simplest and
most effective ways of reducing building heating and cooling loads. Very often such savings could be achieved in the design stage
of the building and with a relatively low-cost. Such declines in building envelope heat losses combined with optimized material
configuration and proper amount of thermal insulation in the building envelope could help to decrease the building's cooling and
heating energy demands and building related co2 emission into environment. This paper presents a typical study of thermal mass
buildings, especially, a kind of masonry building called YAKHCHAL, where most of the buildings are constructed out of mud or
sun-dried bricks. They behave like a thermal mass building types. In this climate, there are great many buildings which have been
adapted to their climatic conditions. Such traditional solutions may help to overcome the energy crisis which the mankind faces
today and may face in the future.
M. Kazemi Shishavan, F. Sadat Mirakbari, F. Nicol,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (12-2019)
Abstract
Thermal mass is the material's ability to store heat and release it after an amount of time and concrete is considered one of the best thermal mass material. Since concrete has been used widely in many building constructions, by considering the capability of concrete in terms of thermal mass, it is worthwhile to use this ability of concrete in order to build buildings more healthy and comfortable for an increase in the occupants’ performance. Ventilated Hollow Core Slab (VHCS) is one of the efficient ways to provide adequate thermal mass within buildings. The present study aimed to assess the thermal performance of VHCS; and its effect on the occupant's thermal comfort of a college building located in Luton, England, using a VHCS system as the exposed thermal mass. Various techniques have been used over two weeks and the recorded data were analyzed. Based on the findings from the review of existing literature in the field and the integrated approach outlined in this paper, results indicate that the application of VHCS as a thermal mass in university buildings decrease not only the daily temperature fluctuation but also the number of times with extreme heat or colds. Results also show the influence of the system on the level of habitants’ thermal comfort; though, this influence could be varied hinge on physical and psychological factors.
