Paper Conference

Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2006: 2nd conference of IBPSA-USA

     

A Calibrated Computer Model for the Thermal Simulation of Courtyard Microclimates

Amr Bagneid, Jeffrey Haberl
College of Architecture, Texas A&M University

Abstract: This paper describes a calibrated stand-alone courtyard microclimate model. This model is considered to be the first calibrated computer program for the simulation of courtyard microclimates. In order to accomplish this a calibrated simplified thermal simulation model for predicting courtyard microclimates was created that is based on a Finite Difference (FD) simulation model of an RC thermal network of the courtyard. The courtyard microclimate model was validated against field data from a case study courtyard house. The model allowed running parametric sensitivity studies on the courtyard thermal simulation factors. The model was then used to produce annual hourly courtyard microclimate weather file for use by the DOE-2 building thermal simulation program. This courtyard microclimate model is also a part of a larger research project that aims to analyze the thermal performance of courtyard houses. The overall project measured a case study courtyard house in the winter and summer for the calibration of the simulated courtyard microclimate, and then used the simulated microclimate weather file in a DOE-2 simulation of the courtyard house to better predict the courtyard house thermal performance. This paper will describe the method used in creating the courtyard model and present results of its application to the case study courtyard.
Pages: 121 - 128
Paper:
simbuild2006_SB06_121_128