AlllOO TTSMBB

NBSIR 81-2420

Seasonal Heat Loss Calculation

for Slab-On-Grade Floors

NBS

PUBLICATIONS Alll0 b 4l’f’0b

c

l

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Buiiding Technology

Building Physics Division

Washington, DC 20234

March 1982

^nnnsored by:

Department of Energy

e of Solar Applications for Buildings

nservation and Renewable Energy

lington, DC 20585

ATONAL BV»KAU

07 WTJjtOAMM

UBMAMT

NBSIR 81-2420

SEASONAL HEAT LOSS CALCULATION

FOR SLAB-ON-GRADE FLOORS

T. Kusuda, M. Mizuno, and J. W. Bean

MAR 16 1982

GlL> 1 6 o

(Q %

U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Building Technology

Building Physics Division

Washington, DC 20234

March 1 982

Sponsored by:

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Solar Applications for Buildings

Conservation and Renewable Energy

Washington, DC 20585

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU 01 STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler. Director
-4 itift

S'" A* v; *{,*?«* * -

; J.

f *:
Seasonal Heat Loss Calculation for Slab-on-Grade Floors

T. Kusuda, M. Mizuno , and J. W. Bean

National Bureau of Standards

Abstract

In order to facilitate an efficient slab-on-grade heat transfer calculation on

a comprehensive energy analysis program such as DOE-2, BLAST AND NBSLD, heat

transfer calculations for slab-on-grade floors are reviewed. The computational

procedure based on the Lachenbruch method is studied in depth to generate

monthly average temperatures at a given depths below the floor slab. The data

generated by the Lachenbruch method are then used to develop a simplified procedure for determining the monthly average earth temperatures below the floor

slab. These monthly average temperature data can be used for the hourly

response factor analysis of floor-slab heat transfer.

Key Words: building heat transfer; DOE-2 Energy Analysis computer program;

monthly average earth temperature; thermal response factors.

iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF FIGURES v

NOMENCLATURE vii

CONVERSION TO METRIC (SI) UNITS ix

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. LACHENBRUCH SOLUTION 4

3. DETERMINATION OF MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FOR BUILDING ENERGY

ANALYSIS 18

4. GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATING SEASONAL HEAT LOSS FROM THE SLAB-ONGRADE FLOOR 23

5. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION 34

6. REFERENCES 35

APPENDIX A - Muncey /Spencer Solution A-l

iv
LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. Boundary condition for heat conduction equation 5 used by Lachenbruch

Figure 2-1 . Calculation algorithms for slab-on-grade problem based

on the superposition of a solution for annular segments ... 9

Figure 2-2. Approximation of a rectangular region by annular segments . 10

Figure 3-1. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T - Tr)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.93 ft^/day) and b/a =1.5 11

Figure 3-2. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T - Tr)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.65 ft^/day), b/a = 1.5 12

Figure 3-3. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T - Tr)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.93 ft^/day), b/a =1.0 13

Figure 3-4. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T - Tr)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.65 ft^/day), b/a =1.0 14

Figure 4-1. Annual average earth temperature expressed in (T - Tr)/

CTr - Tm) beneath the slab-on-grade floor 15

Figure 5-1. Earth temperature-depth profiles at selected distances

away from the slab-on-grade floor for a = (.93 ft^/day) ... 16

Figure 5-2. Earth temperature-depth profiles at selected distances

away from the slab-on-grade floor for a = (.65 ft^/day) ... 17

Figure 6-1. Average earth temperature 1 ft below the floor slab

for B=30°F 19

Figure 6-2. Average earth temperature 1 ft below the floor slab

for B=20°F 20

Figure 6-3. Average earth temperature 1 ft below the floor slab

for B=10° F 21

Figure 7-1. Average temperature function under steady-state conditions. 24

Figure 8-1. Average sub-grade temperature coefficients for the

floor aspect ratio 1:1 25

Figure 8-2. Average sub-grade temperature coefficients for the

floor aspect ratio 2:3 26

v
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)

Page

Figure 8-3. Average sub-grade temperature coefficients for the

floor aspect ratio 1:2 28

Figure A-l. Muncey/Spencer slab model A-3

Figure A-2 . Thermal resistance for a square slab of 160 ft perimeter

for a ground thermal conductivity of 12 Btu-in/h‘ft^ • °F

for various values of edge distance and surface

resistance Rp A4

Figure A-3. Correction factor for non-square slabs A-5

vi
Nomenclature

Unless otherwise defined separately in the text, the following standard

symbols are used throughout this paper.

A = TR

- TM

a = half length of a rectangular slab, ft

b = half width of a rectangular slab, ft

3 = amplitude of annual cycle of monthly normal outdoor temperature, °F

c = specific heat, Btu/lbm, °F

C = amplitude of annual indoor temperature cycle, °F

Cr = common ratio of the slab response factors

d » number of days elapsed after April 1

e = edge distance, ft

F = slab heat transfer factor, Btu/h»ft

k = thermal conductivity of soil, Btu/h*ft*F

l = thickness of soil, ft

N = number of the slab response factor terms

P = perimeter length of the slab, ft

P = period of temperature cycle, hr

Q

= local floor heat flux, Btu/h«ft^

q = integrated floor heat loss, Btu/h

R = /(x-a)2 + (y-b)^, ft

r = A.2- + Z

2

, ft

T = temperature of a field point, °F

Tm = mean temperature of the annual cycle of the monthly normal outdoor

temperature, °F

Tr = mean temperature of the slab in the building, which is assumed equal

to the house temperature, °F

vxi
V = slab-soil interface temperature for insulated floor slab, °F

T£ = mean temperatures of earth at a given depth Z, °F

Tj_ = the house temperature, °F

T0 = outdoor temperature, °F

2 Up = overall thermal conductance of floor slab, Btu/hr»ft »°F

Uq = overall thermal conductance of soil layer, Btu/hr»ft «°F

V = T-Tm = temperature difference, °F

Xj ,Yj ,CR = floor slab thermal response factors, Btu/hr* f t^« °F

a = thermal diffusivity of soil, ft^/h

w = angular frequency of the annual cycle dy ^

= ^

365

9 = time, hr

ft = a solid angle subtended by the slab with respect to a field point

<j> = functions defined in the text

p = density, lbm/ft^

X = angle subtended by the slab

viii
CONVERSION FACTORS TO METRIC (SI) UNITS

Physical

Quantity Symbol

To Convert

From To Multiply By

Length l ft m 3.05 x 10" 1

Area A ft 2 m

2 9.29 x 10" 2

Volume ¥ ft 3 m

3 2.83 x 10" 2

Temperature T Fahrenheit Celsius t c=(t f-32)/l .8

Temp. Diff. AT Fahrenheit Kelvin K=( ATf

)/1 .8

Density P lbm/ ft 3 kg/m3 16.0

Thermal Conductivity k Btu* in/h* f

t

2 * f

1

2 » °F W/m-K 1.442 x 10-1

Thermal Transmittance

(or Conductance) U Btu/h» f

t

2 °F W/m2 * K 5.68

Thermal Resistance R h«f

t

2 « °F/Btu m2 *K/W 0.176

Heat Flux Rate q/A Btu/h» ft 2 W/m2 3.15

Heat Flow q Btu/h W 2.93 x 10* 1

Thermal Diffusivity a f t

2 /h m2 /h 9.29 x 10 -2

ix

Seasonal Heat Loss Calculation for Slab-on-Grade Floors

T. Kusuda, M. Mizuno,* J. W. Bean

1 . INTRODUCTI CN

Although heat transfer calculations for slab-on-grade floors are a major factor

in residential energy analysis, an accurate calculation methodology has not been

available. This is because of the complex three-dimensional and time-dependent

nature of the heat conduction process involved in the earth-contact building

heat transfer process. In addition, there are fundamental questions as to

appropriate choices of the thermophysical properties of soil and soil temperature, both of which are by nature not well defined as far as the soil around

the building is concerned. This is because moisture condition in the soil is

constantly changing and affecting the temperature profile as well as the thermal property values. Exact analysis dealing with this simultaneous transfer

of heat and moisture is beyond the scope of this paper.

The 1977 ASHRAE Handbook procedure [1] for the slab-on-grade floor heat transfer

calculation is simply to use a set of numbers representing the perimeter heat

loss coefficient F 2 as follows:

9 = F 2

• P • (Ti-T0 )

where

q

= floor heat loss

P = perimeter of exposed edges

Tj_ = inside air temperature

T0 = outside air temperature

Data for F 2 are available for the floor with no edge insulation, with 1-inch

edge insulation, and 2-inch edge insulation, which are 0.81, 0.55, and 0.50

respectively. These data are derived from the old experimental measurements

conducted by the National Bureau of Standards [2] and, separately, by the University of Illinois [3]. It is difficult for building heat transfer analysts

to apply these ASHRAE data for general purpose evaluation of a variety of slabon-grade heat losses with respect to sizes, shapes, and physical properties of

soils. Moreover, they are valid only under a steady set of test conditions for

specific floor types and are not suitable for hourly or seasonal heat transfer

calculations

.

A conventional approach for the heat transfer analysis of the slab-on-grade

problem is to use numerical calculation techniques such as the finite difference and/or finite element solution of the heat conduction equation. Although

Guest worker from Osaka University, Japan.

1
extremely powerful and in many cases the only recourse available for the realworld problem, the three dimensional finite difference solution requires a large

number of grid points and lengthy computer time because the heat conduction

domain influenced by slab-on-grade structure is extremely large. Moreover, the

time span in the order of several years is required before steady annual cycle

of ground temperature is achieved. Akasaka [4], for example, used a twodimensional region of 3 m x 6 m represented by a finite difference grid of 30 x

60, which required more than 3,000 iterations to obtain a near-steady-state

solution. It is doubtful that general design data suitable for three-dimensional

heat transfer analysis can be obtained by numerical calculations unless one has access to a large memory, high speed and low cost computing services.

Several authors have, in the past, attempted to develop theoretical bases for

estimation of heat loss from slab-on-grade floors, most notable among them being

a pioneering work of A. H. Lachenbruch, who used Green’s Function [5]. Because

of the complexity of the mathematical formulation, Lachenbruch developed an elaborate graphical procedure and demonstrated the procedure for a rectangular

slab of 30 ft x 100 ft. The most striking finding of Lachenbruch' s calculation

was that it takes more than three years before the temperature beneath the

house experiences a steady periodic annual cycle. B. Adamson [6] used the

Lachenbruch procedure for a 10 m x 10 m slab and generated the steady periodic

annual temperature profiles under the slab-on-grade floors as well as the heat

flux along the slab surface.

Adamson's calculations show that the heat flow paths are practically semicircular, with the center of the circle being at the perimeter edge of the slab

during the winter season, and they are practically parallel and normal to the

slab surface during the summer. Adamson's results also show that the heat flux

is practically constant from edge to edge during the summer, and that an extremely large edge heat loss occurs during the winter.

Admittance and transfer parameters based on the frequency response (Fourier

series) solutions were developed by Muncey and Spencer [7]. They developed a method for determining steady-state thermal resistance values of slabs-on-grade

of many different shapes, details of which are given in Appendix A. Peavy [8]

also analyzed a two-dimensional slab-on-grade problem.

In this report, the Lachenbruch procedure will be extended for generating the

monthly average earth temperature beneath the floor slab, which is used in

energy analysis simulation programs such as NBSLD, DOE-2 and/or BLAST [8]. The

graphic solution method developed by Lachenbruch is converted into an efficient

digital computer simulation procedure. The computer program is then used to

determine average soil temperatures at a given depth below the floor slab. This

average earth temperature below the slab, which is considered constant at least

during a month for the hour-by-hour floor heat transfer calculation, has been

used in the response factor calculation [9] of the building energy analysis as follows

.

N N

Qt - I x

j

TR,t-j - I Y

j

Tk,t-j + CR • Qt-!

j=l 3=1

2
where Qt = hourly floor heat loss at time t

Q t_l = hourly floor heat loss at time t-1

Xj and Yj are thermal response factors predetermined for the floor slab

composite and include the thermal resistance at the floor surface

= room temperature above the floor slab at time t-j

= slab-soil interface temperatures at time t-j

CR = common ratio of the floor slab thermal response factors [9]

The value of usually remains unchanged (thus depicted as hereafter)

for the hour by hour calculation but would vary depending on the season and is

dependent upon other parameters such as floor shape, thermal properties and

soil.

The rationale of this approach is to interface the hourly simulation of the

building floor heat transfer process with the slowly changing earth temperature

surrounding the building. It has been a difficult problem to assign an appropriate slab-floor ground temperature T£ for the hour-by-hour slab-floor heat

transfer calculation. Various approximations such as an arithmetic average of

indoor temperature and well-water temperature, ten-foot-depth average earth

temperature, or a monthly average outdoor temperature, have been used in the

past simply because of the lack of more appropriate data. Major objective of

the paper is then to provide a means to determine improved data for T£.

3
2. LACHENBRUCH SOLUTION

Figure 1 shows the mathematical system of a heated slab (presented by S) on the

ground surface, while the equation below is the basic heat conduction equation

and its boundary conditions.

2 2

3 T + 3 T

3x2 3y2

at z = 0 , T

2

+ 3 T = _L 3 z 2 a

= Tj^ on S

3T

30

z

2i o T = Tm + Bsin(—

2-) P

00 T = Tm

outside S

( 1 )

whe re

T = earth temperature

a = thermal diffusivity of earth

9 = time

Tr = room temperature

Tm = annual average temperature of earth

B = amplitude of annual cycle of monthly average surface temperatures

P = period of annual temperature cycle

A general solution for equation (1) may be expressed by the Green's Function

form as follows:

2 -r

9

o

where b(x%y',t) = temperature distribution over S

, , , 1/2

r = [ (x—x** ) 2 + (y-y") 2 + z

2

]

In equation (2), the temperature of the soil under a slab S is represented by a triple integral with respect to time t and the surface temperature profile

cp(x^,y^,t) of the slab S. Applying this general solution to a specific boundary condition indicated in figure, 1, Lachenbruch obtained the soil temperature solution in the form of equation (3).

T(x,y,z,9 ) = .. 8(ttci ) 2 /

r

r f

*(x' ,y' >t) e

s 5/2

(0-t) D/Z

dx' ,dy^ j dt ( 2 )

4
Figure 1. Boundary condition for heat conduction equation used by Lachenbruch

5

HELD

POINT

AT

DEPTH Z
T = Tm + [L ] + Be )-zj

X2a) zV2a sin(a)9-z/ 2a) + JL / J>( 8 , 0 )dft

2tt 2tt ^

( 3 )

where

n»f[dr»/f zdx" dy'

S S

3 r

: solid angle subtended by S

= tan

_! ( x+a ) ( y+b

)

z/ (x+a ) 2+( y+b ) 2+z 2

-tan

_3 (x-a) ( y+b)

z/ (x-a) 2+(y+b) 2+z 2

-tan

_ l

( x+a ) ( y—b

)

z/ (x+a ) 2+( y-b ) 2+z 2

+tan

-1 (x-a)(y-b)

z/ ( x-a

)

2+( y-b

)

2+z 2

<J;(0>9) = e ^{( 1+6 ) sin(aj 0 - 8 ) + 6 cos(o) 0 -

0 )}

6 = r / 2a

a) = 2tt

Differentiating equation (3) with respect to z, the surface heat flux may be

obtained as follows:

Q (x ,y , 0 ,0 ) = - k/£L v dz'

z=0

= ^ vW B(sin a)0 + cos o) 0 )

+

k

(t - T ) (x+a) 2+( y+b) z _ /(x-a) 2+(y+b ) 2

2ir 2- 111 (x+a)(y+b) (x-a)(y+b)

_ / (x+a) 2+(y-b ) 2

, /(x-a) 2+(y-b) 2

] (x+a) (y-b) (x-a) ( y-b)

k f f 27 J s

j Kg 0

, 8 )dS

R^

3 »

6
where 3 0 « ^JlaT

R

0 = / (x-a) z + (y-b) 2

ds - dx' dy'

q -Iff Qdx'dy'

S s

Since the major purpose of this paper is to determine the average earth

temperature below the floor slab, only the evaluation of equation (3) will be

discussed

.

In order to evaluate equation (3), however, it is necessary to perform the

integration of if; (0 , 9 ) over an entire solid angle *1 subtended by the surface

slab with respect to a given field point (x, y, z).

Figures 2-1 and 2-2 show a scheme to evaluate this integral by a superposition

of annular segments emanating from a point (x,y) in the ground. The scheme was originally developed by Lachenbruch on the basis that analytical integration of

4»( 0 , 9) is available for an annular region between radii R^ and R-i-i emanating

from a point x, y, z. Equation (5) shows a general form of the integration

using the-superposition of segments of annular region solutions.

B / / iKB,9)d8 - B Z XiUUi) - #(Ri-i)} (5)

2ir ^ 2tt i=l

where

2 -/z 2 + R* Jtz: rjz-

<f> (R) = — e sin((u0 - / z2+RvZcT )

.

/zM-RT

Although it requires a relatively large number of annular spaces of fine width

over the slab, this scheme is extremely efficient for covering a large area outside the building where the angular effect (X = central angle substantiated

by the slab boundary with respect to a projected point in question) vanishes,

as the annular region is extended beyond the slab. The value 4>(R) also vanishes

quickly as R becomes large.

An efficient computer program has been developed to determine monthly earth

temperature profile under heated slabs of different shapes and different temperatures. Figures 3-1 through 3-4 show results of sample calculations where

depth isotherms across the floor center line are indicated in terms of ratio of

T - Tm with respect to Tr - Tm of equation (3). In these figures, the amplitude

of the monthly average outdoor air temperature 3 are chosen to be 1.0 and 1.5

of (T^-Tm). The subject floor is 20 ft square and thermal diffusivity of soil

is also varied to cover from 0.027 and 0.039 ft^/hr, which represent average and

wet soil conditions respectively.

7
It is interesting to note that:

1. Earth temperature outside the region directly below the floor is also

affected as far as one house width.

2. A large temperature gradient exists near the floor edge during the

winter months.

3. Summer heat transfer is practically one-dimensional and normal to the

floor slab without having much of the edge heat flow phenomena of

winter.

4. Earth temperature disturbance extends beyond 30 ft depth.

Figure 4 is the annual average earth temperature beneath the slab, which

represents the second or the steady-state heat conduction term of equation (3).

The zero temperature region indicated in figure 4 is the annual average

temperature of undisturbed earth, which is numerically equal to Tm . Figures

5-1 and 5-2 show the monthly earth temperatures with respect to depth at

selected distances away from the building for wet and average soil conditions

and for the temperature amplitudes of 1.0 and 1.5 (Tr - Tm). These figures

show that the annual cycle of the earth temperatures is not significantly

affected even at a point as close as 5 ft away from the building.

8
GROUND

SURFACE

|z‘A‘x)
Figure 2- 2 . nation of a rectangular region by annular segments

10
lphth :orawn*c - "ctjcoic p»,*r:r»

ra*TM ~VW*~V*Z - *£9!OOIC ZPL^JlPU '.DM UHTH 3

DIS7«M2: ri»0n 3ENTW > ;LA8 y*»TH rrfwriK: - <*£9ixic cflLC-mriON

-CNTH 9

CfVTX T£.-PCT«?JRE - *£91X10 CflLCULflTI2N “CNTM |

j

Figure 3-1. Annual earth temperature

slab-on-grade floor; a = expressed in (T-Tr)/A beneath

(.93 ft^/day) and b/a =1.5

11
DEPTH,

FT

DEPTH,

FT

-35 -30 2S 30 35 -25 - 20 -IS -10 -SO > 10 IS 20 01 STANCE FROM CENTER OF SLAB EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

- — — -is -10 -SO S 10 IS 20 ZS 30 DISTANCE FROH CENTER OF SLAB EARTH TEMPERATURE - PER I CO I C CALCULATION

MONTH 2

DISTANCE FROM CENTER OF SLAB EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 7

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 3

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 1

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 5

-5 0 S 10 DISTANCE FROM CENTER OF SLAB EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 10

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 11

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PER 1 00 1 C CALCULATION

MONTH 6

Figure 3-2. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T-Tr)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.65 f t^/day) , b/a = 1.5

12
txm i

qistrnce froi center of slab EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

rONTH 7

OTTM 2 UNTH a

'tJNTM 3 -C*TH 9

t3NT>1 i “CNTH 10

EARTH TEMPERATURE * “ERIOOIC CALCULATION

rCNTVt S

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERtCOIC CALCULATION

"ONTH 11

o I STANCE nw CENTER OF SLAB EARTH TEMPERATURE - PER100IC CUMULATION

iCNTH 6

Figure 3-3. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T-T^)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.93 ft-/ day) , b/a =1.0

13
DEPTH,

ri

DEPTH,

PT

DEPTH,

PT

D"TH,

PT

DEPTH,

FT

DEPTH,

fT

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 1

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 2

ERRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 8

rCNTH 3 nONTH 9

rtQNTH 4 HONTH 10

MONTH 5 MONTH 11

EARTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION EARTH TEMPERATURE * PERIODIC CALCULATION

MONTH 6 MONTH 12

Figure 3-4. Annual earth temperature expressed in (T-Tr)/A beneath

slab-on-grade floor: a = (.65 ft^/day), b/a = 1.0

14
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Figure 4-1. Annual average earth temperature expressed in (T-T^) /TR-TM) beneath the slab-on-grade floor

15

RATIO

OF

AMPLITUDE

TO

MEAN

AT
OTPTH,

FT

EflRTH TPrewmjRE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

TVCRTPL DIFFUSIVin OF EflRTH

HflLF HIOTH OF T>C SLAB

HflLF LENGTH OF T>C SLflB

OISTflNCE FROB CENTER Lift X SLflB

0.330 FT—2/OflY

10. FT

10. FT

0. FT

EARTH TDPERflTURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

TWJUIL OIFTUSIVin OF EflRTH HALF HIOTH OF TVC SLflB mS LENGTH OF TVC SLflB DISTMCE TO1 CENTER Ll« OF SLflB

0.330 FT—2/OAY

10. FT

10. FT

0. FT

EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

-1.0 -o.l -0.» -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 o.o i.o EflRTH TEJTERflTire - PERIOOIC CVCCULflTION

TVCRHft. OIFTUSIVin OF EflRTH

HflLF HIOTH OF TVC SLflB MCF LENGTH OF TVC SLAB DISTANCE ''ROB CENTER Lift X SLflB

0.330 FT **2/DAT

10. FT

10. FT

10. FT

TVCRHflL DIFFUSIVin X EflRTH

HflLF HIOTH X TVC SLflB HFLF LENGTH X THE SLflB DISTANCE FROB CENTER LINE X SLflB

0.330 FT—2/DAT

10. FT

10. FT

10. FT

EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

TVCRHflL DIFFUSIVin X EflRTH

HflLF HIOTH X TVC SLAB MCF LENGTH X TVC SLflB DISTANCE FROB CENTER LlvC X SLflB

0.330 FT—2/OAY

10. FT

10. FT

15. FT

EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

-2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 O.S 1.0 I.S 2.0

HflLF HIOTH X TVC SLflB 10. FT mS LENGTH X TVC SLflB 10. FT DISTANCE FROB CENTER LINE X SLflB 15. FT

EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CfCCULAHON EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

’VERBAL OIFFUSlVin X EflRTH HfCF HIOTH X TVC SLflB

HflLF LENGTH X T>C SLflB

01 STANCE FROB CENTER LlfC X SLflB

0.930 FT—2/0flY

10. FT

10. FT

20. FT

TVCRHflL OIFTUSIVin X EflRTH W HIOTH X TVC SLflB

HflLF LENGTH X TVC SLAB DISTANCE FROB CENTER LIFC X SLAB

0.930 FT*

10. FT

10. FT

20. FT

2/OAT

EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CM.CULATION

HALF LENGTH X TVC SLflB 10. FT

01 STANCE FROB CENTER LIVC X SLflB 60. FT

EflRTH TEMPERATURE - PERIOOIC CALCULATION

TVCRHflL DIFFUSIVin X EflRTH W HIOTH X TVC SLflB mS LENGTH X TVC SLflB

OISTflNCE FROB CENTER LIfC X SLflB

0.930 FT—2/OAY

10. FT

10. FT

60. FT

Figure 5-1

.

Earth temperature-depth profiles at selected distances

away from the slab-on-grade floor: a = (.93 ft^/day)

16
017

TH,

FT

WTTH,

fl

DCFTM,

FT

OCFTH,

H

00*111,

FT

cwth rpr^wpjwg - •wiaoic acajumoH

mi width ar pc sjv to. rr w ldcth ar t>« suv io. rr oisttmz rw com* Lire or suv o. rr

9WTH TOT*OTmjRE - ‘’ERIOOrC OCCULffTTON

. oimjsivtrr of cprth VLF WIDTH OF T>C SL/V mi LOCTH OF TIC SUV

DISTANCE TO1 CENTER LllC OT SUV

0.616 rr—2/tyrr

10 . T

to. rr

o. ft

owih Turwmie - periodic chlojuitic*

-l.« -II -II -t« -*.2 LI U LI LI LI 1.1

mi width cr pc suv io. rr mi ldcth or pc slab io. n

oistwce nw oxter Lire ar suv io. n

OWTH TDVERRTIFC - *ERI0DIC CHLCLLflTIW

-1.0 -0.1 -U -t* -C3 LI 3.2 L« 1.1 LI l.l

mi WIDTH QF PC SUV 10. H mi LDCTH OF PC SLRB 10. H

oistwce n» coffw Lire t suv is. rr

VTH TOVERPTURE - PERIDOIC CPLOJLffTION

mi width of pc sue io. n mi ldctm of pc suv io. rr distance rRCn (enter Lire or suv io. rr

EFFTH TOCERPTIHE - PERIODIC DCOJUTTION

nCW*l. CIFTUSIVITT OF CVTH 0.616 FT—2/OHT mi WIDTH OF PC SUV 10. FT mi LDCTH OF PC SUV 10. FT 31STPXE FROl CENTER LI« OF SUV IS. FT

OWTH TDTOHTIFC - PERIODIC aCOJLHTION

mr width or pc suv 10. n

mi LDCTH OF PC SUV 10. FT OISTWCE FTO1 CENTER Lire OF SUV 20. H

DWTH TDrOWTUC - PERIODIC CRLCULPTION

pcrhtc jiFnsivin or owth mi wicth or pc suv mi LDCTH QF PC SUV

DISTANCE CENTER LItC OF SUV

0.646 FT

i

io. rr

10. ‘T

20. rr

•2/OflT

CTRTH THWTJE - PERIODIC PCOJUrTION

•1.0 -0.1 -0.0 -0.« -0.3 0.0 3.3 0. 1 3.1 9.0 1.0

mi WIDTH OF PC SUV 10. FT mi LDCTH OF PC SUV 10. FT oirrmx fro* center Lire or suv so. rr

DWTH PJVERPTURE - PERIODIC CALCULATION

PCRm. ormaivm or earth o.6i« ft—2/ott mi WIDTH or PC SUV IO. ft mi LDCTH OF PC SUV 10. FT OISTWCE 'RW CENTER Ll>€ OF SUV SO. FT

Figure 5-2. Earth temperature-depth profiles at

from the slab-on-grade floor for a selected distances

(.65 ft^/day)

away

17
3. DETERMINATION OF MONTHLY AND AREA AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FOR BUILDING ENERGY

ANALYSIS

In order to use the solution thus obtained in the previous sections for the

floor-slab heat transfer calculation, the monthly and area average earth temperature z ft below the floor slab is needed. The data are obtained by integrating

the earth temperature beneath the slab area in such a manner that

1 a b

T

(Z ) - ab / / T(x,y,z)dxdy (6)

o o

The data for T(z) are obtained for several selected values for a, Tg-Tm , B, a and b, such as follows.

a = 0.015, 0.025 and 0.035 ft 2/h

T R-Tm

= -10, 7.5, 15, 20 and 25°

F

B = 3, 10, 20, and 30°F

10x10 10x6.67 10x5

a x v, = 15x15 15x10 15x7.5

20x20 20x13 .33 20x10

30x30 30x20 30x15

Figure 6-1, 2, 3 shows the sample results of such calculations for TR

- Tm = 20°F,

and 3 = 30, 20 and 10°F, respectively, for z = 1 ft. They represents the area average earth temperature 1 ft below the floor slab of 20 ft x 40 ft, 30 ft x

40 ft and 40 ft x 40 ft. These figures show a surprisingly small effect of

soil thermal diffusivity upon the sub-slab temperature for all seasons, and

show a larger effect of floor aspect ratio during the winter. The use of these

figures for the estimation of floor heat loss, however, requires the knowledge

of annual average soil temperature Tm (which is very close to the deep underground or the well water temperature), and annual maximum and minimum monthly

normal outdoor temperatures, all of which are readily available from the U.S.

Weather Record Center [10]. For example, according to [9], the annual average

temperature, annual maximum and minimum for the monthly normal (30-year average)

data for Washington, D.C. are 56.8°F, 77.8°F and 36.5°F, respectively. From

this, one can arrive at Tm = 56.5°F, and B = (77 .8—36 .5)/ 2 = 20.65°F or say 20°F.

Using figure 6-2, one can then estimate the seasonal floor slab heat loss for

the slab having temperature of 56.5 + 20 = 76.5°F, provided that the thermal

properties of the slab are very similar to those of the soil beneath the floor.

If one assumes that the soil has the thermal diffusivity of 0.025 ft 2 /h, thermal conductivity 0.5 Btu/h*ft*F, and the floor-slab is 30 ft x 40 ft (aspect

ratio 0.75), the following floor heat loss calculation can be made from

figure 6-2.

18
P-* CO CO <N

Figure 6-1. Average earth temperature 1 ft below the floor slab for B=30

19

MONTH
CD LT5 Tf> CO CN

do‘ l =Zi - »1

Figure 6-2. Average earth temperature 1 ft below the floor slab for B=20

20

MONTH
Jo ‘l=Zl -

co

CM

03

CO

CO

ITS

cn

CNt

Figure 6-3. Average earth temperature i ft below the floor slab for B=10

21

MONTH
Month Tr - t 2=1 Q

= 0.5(Tr _ T z

) (1200

)

January 4.3 2580 Btu/h

April 3.4 2040 Btu/h

July 1.3 780 Btu/h

October 2.3 1380 Btu/h

When the slab temperature is different from 76.5°F, because of different house

temperature and/or floor insulation, the procedure becomes more complicated.

The following section describes a general procedure applicable to floor slabs

having different thermal properties than the soil beneath them.

22
4. SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATING SEASONAL HEAT LOSS FROM THE SLAB-ON-GRADE

FLOOR

The seasonal heat loss calculation procedure developed herein for the

slab-on-grade floor is based on the seasonal and area average soil temperature

beneath the floor, room temperature, and floor system thermal conductance

(inclusive of the soil layer beneath the slab). The sub-floor soil temperature

data are derived from the extensive Lachenbruch-type calculations discussed in

the previous sections for various combinations of floor aspect ratios, annual

cycles of monthly normal temperature, and soil thermal diffusivity. Also

included in the analysis is the annual cyclic variation of indoor temperature

that simulates the different thermostat settings encountered during summer and

winter. In the procedure derived herein, the average sub-floor temperature T

z at a depth of z is expressed in a fashion similar to equation (3), by

Tm = annual average outdoor temperature

B = amplitude of the annual cycle of the monthly normal temperature

C = amplitude of the house temperature cycle

®lm = annual average temperature rise function found in figure 7

df m may also be approximated by the following empirical relationship

93m = annual cyclic temperature effect upon the sub-slab temperature.

The value for 63^ will be determined by the following equation using two

factors, 8 and 'p

, which are shown in figures 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, for three

different aspects ratios

L - \ + (TR

' V 9 lm + B «2m + < c ' B > 9 3m (7)

where

® 2m

= annual cycle of undisturbed earth temperature, which is

determined by the following equation

( 8 )

9 3m = 3 sin((Dt - ip) ( 9 )

8 and 'p also can be approximated by the following empirical equations

23
BASIC

SOLUTION STEADY

STATE

-1. Average temperature function under steady-state conditions

24

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08
Z/a

Figure 8-1. Average sub-grade temperature coefficients

for the floor aspect ratio 1:1

25
3-

Figure 8-2. Average sub-grade temperature coefficients

for the floor aspect ratio 2:3

26
$-

Figure 8-3. Average sub-grade temperature coefficients

for the floor aspect ratio 1:2

27
where A, = 2.919 - 3.029 (-^) + 1.362 (^-)" a a

B, = 0.1957 + 0.0936 (-^) + 0.0144 (-^)

2

a a

n = 0.6773 + 0.0141 (b.) - 0.0426 (&)

2 a a

m = (a^w) 0,035

(0.756 + 0.046 ( Vj j a ^ a'

9 Ei — F i ' a * - {c + d^A)} (ibq

x A a a

where values of , Dj,

a^w

a

and may be f ound in table as a function of

Cl Dl El El

1.8 < a2w

< 7 a 0.236 0.168 0.800 0.111

X, 7 < a w

< 16

a 0.278 0.207 0.713 0.119

16 < < 45

a 0.372 0.170 0.623 0.067

The floor heat loss is then calculated by knowing the overall thermal

conductance Uq of the soil layer of thickness l such that

Q - VT

R

' VA (10)

and U_ = Jl . (ID

G i

Insulated slab-floor

While the preceding analysis assumes that the floor slab has the same thermal

properties as those of the soils below (which is approximately correct for

uninsulated concrete floor over relatively wet soil), many floor systems include

thermal insulation with their thermal property data being considerably different

from those of the sub-soil. When dealing with an insulated floor, one must

account for an appreciable temperature drop across it. Thus the values of Tg_

28
and C in equation (7) must be adjusted to take this fact into account. A

suggested method is to estimate them by the following equations:

Tr

U

F

TR + U

G

T

z u

F + uG

U

F

C

Up + Ug

( 12 )

(13)

where T^'

C'

annual average temperature of soil-floor interface

amplitude of the annual cycle of soil-floor interface

Up = insulated floor system thermal conductance

Uq = subsoil thermal conductance

= _k_z

Substituting TR

* and C

1 for Tr and C of equation (7), and rearranging the

terms, one obtains

T

Up + U

G

Up + UG

(1 - 9

'

) lm

[Tm + t U

FTR

Up + uG

^m] lm

+ B 9 2m + ( u

F

c Up + UG

B

6'3m'

Sample Calculations

(14)

Determine the January and August heat loss from a slab-on-grade floor of a 40 ft x 30 ft house in Washington, D.C. Assume that the floor is carpeted

with underlay over the 4-in concrete slab, and that soil is of medium moisture

content. In addition, assume that 1-in polystyrene thermal insulation board

is placed between the soil and concrete slab. The house is thermostated at

78°F in summer and 68°F in winter.

29
1.

Floor system thermal resistance

hr«f t^.F/Btu

inside surface resistance

carpet

underlay

4" concrete

1” polystyrene board

0.6

1.0

1.4

0.3

3.5

6.8

1 Up - =0.147

6.8

Btu/hr» f t“» F

2. Assume soil thermal property as follows:

thermal conductivity k = 0.5 Btu/hr*ft«F

thermal diffusivity a = 0.025 ft^/h

or UG

= 0.5 Btu/hr*ft»F for z = 1 ft

3. Surface temperature condition (see previous example)

Tm = 56 .5° F

B = 20 .65° F

4. Indoor temperature condition

T r = (78 + 68 ) / 2 = 73

C = (78 - 68)/ 2 = 5

5. Since 2a = 40 , 2b = 30 , a = 20 and b = 15

aspect rates b/a = 15/20 = 0.75

depth parameter z/a = 1/20 = 0.050

3' = 0.85 from figure 7.

lm

6. Elapsed time after April 1 will be

tut = (275) = 4.73 for January 1 365

2r

(122) = 2.100 for August 1 365

365 x 0.025 x 24

0.170

30
Q' = e 0.17 s in(4.73 - 0.17) = -0.834 for January 1 2m

= e”0.17 gin(2.10 - 0.17) 3 0.790 for August 1

7 a

2v . (20) 2e365^ _ „ c

* a 0.025 x 24

from figure 8-2 for z/a = 0.050

8 = 0.84

if; = 0.10

8. Using equation (9)

0" = 0.81 sin(4.73 - 0.10) = -0.807 for January 1 3m

= 0.81 sin(2.11 - 0.10) = 0.733 for August 1

o U

FTR , (0.147 ) (73) , ^ & Up + U G 0.147 + 0.5

U

F

C = (0.147H5) = L 14

Up + U G 0.147 + 0.5

U

F + U G = 0.147 + 0.5

Up + U G (1 - 9

'

) 0.147 + 0.5(1 - 0.85)

lm

= 0-647. = 2.91

0.222

10. For January 1

T z=1 = 2.91 [56.5 + (16.6 - 56.5)(0.85) + ( 20 .65 ) (-0 .834)

+ (1.14 - 20 .65) ( -0 .807 )

]

= 2.91 [56.6 - 33.9 - 17.2 + 15.74]

=* 2.91 [21.14] = 61.5°F

31
For August 1

Tz=1 = 2.91 [56.5 + (16.6 - 56.5) (0.85) + (20.65)(0.79)

+ (1.14 - 20.65X0.733)]

= 2.91 [56.5 - 33.9 + 16.31 - 14.30]

= (2.91X24.61) = 71.6

11. House temperature

January 1 : 73 + 5 sin(4.73) = 68°F

August 1 : 73+5 sin(2.10) = 79°F

12. Floor/soil thermal conductance

I = I_ + _L_ = 6.8 + 2 = 8.8

u U F UG

U = 0.1136

13. Floor heat loss is then

January : (0.11367) (68 - 61 . 5 ) ( 1200 )

=* 886 Btu/h

August : (0.1136X77 - 71.8)( 1200) = 736 Btu/h

If similar calculations are performed for the non-insulated slab floor

whereby the slab thermal properties are nearly equal to those of the soil

below, equation (7) may be used directly to find the sub-soil temperature

1 ft below the floor surface as follows.

January 1:

Tz=1 : 56.5 + (73 - 56.5X0.85) + (20.65X-0.834) + (5 - 20.65)(-0.807)

= 56.5 + 14.03 - 17.22 + 12.63 = 65.9

For August 1:

T z=1 : 56.5 + (73 - 56.5X0.85) + (20 .65) (0.79) + (5 - 20 .65) (0.733)

= 56.5 + 14.03 + 16.30 - 11.47 = 75.4

The floor heat loss would then be

for January : (0.5)(68 - 65.9)(1200) = 1260 Btu/h

for August : (0.5)(77 - 75.4)(1200) = 960 Btu/h

32
These calculations show that the subfloor temperature is lower when the floors

are insulated than otherwise. Comparison of the uninsulated floor heat loss

with that determined by the ASHRAE Handbook equation could yield

q = (0.81 )( 140)(68 - 36.5) = 3572 Btu/h

when the winter outdoor temperature is assumed 36. 5° F.

33
5. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

Monthly depth profiles of the earth temperature beneath the floor slab have been

determined by using the Lachenbruch method. The results were used to develop a simplified procedure for calculating the area average temperature beneath the

slab floor area. The area-averaged earth temperature can in turn be used to

approximate the monthly floor heat loss. In addition, the area-averaged subfloor earth temperature determined by this method should be good reference

data for the response factor-type evaluation of hourly floor heat transfer.

Caution must be exercised, however, for the use of average sub-floor soil

temperatures in the calculation of the floor heat loss, because the method

ignores several important facts.

1. The floor foundation effect: The floor slab is usually mounted on a concrete foundation of complex shape around its edge. These concrete

foundations could cause additional complexity in the temperature field

around the floor slab because of differences in thermal conductivity

from the surrounding soil.

2. The edge insulation: Some slab-on-grade floors employ insulation

around their edges, which would yield different temperature fields

than predicted by the procedure developed in this paper.

3. Building wall thickness effect: The analysis employed in the proposed

procedure assumes that the slab temperature is uniform from one end of

the floor to another, and assumes an abrupt temperature drop at the

edge from the indoor condition to outdoor condition. In reality, the

slab temperature would undergo a gradual change near the edge, and the

transition temperature profile from the indoor condition to the outdoor

condition depends heavily upon the thickness and thermal characteristics of the wall over the slab edge. If the wall is thicker and better

insulated, the temperature transition would be steeper than the thinner

and poorly insulated wall.

The Lachenbruch procedure employed in this paper could simulate the

nonuniform slab temperature as long as its profile is known. Muncey/

Spencer [6] relation can indeed take into account the building wall

problem by assuming prescribed slab-to-outdoor temperature distribution

functions

.

One of the dubious aspects of this area-averaged sub-floor earth temperature

concept is that the depth for which the area averaging is to be performed is not

well defined. If the depth is too great, the edge heat loss effect will not be

adequately reflected. On the other hand, if the depth is too small, the edge

effect will be overated with the reason discussed above, in reference to the

wall thickness effect. In fact, a preliminary result of the heat flux measurement on the NBS test house (in Gaithersburg, MD) during January of 1981, indicated that the edge effect on a 20 ft x 20 ft slab-on-grade house is not as severe as that calculated by equation (4). It appears that the use of area- averaged earth temperatures 1 ft below the slab provides a good base for the

feasonal slab-heat-loss calculation, although further and detailed validation

.ffort is needed.

34
6

.

REFERENCES

1. Chapter 24, "Heating Load," Handbook of Fundamentals , ASHRAE, page 24.4,

1977.

2. R. S. Dill, W. C. Robinson, and H. E. Robinson, "Measurements of Heat

Losses from Slab Floors," NBS Building Material and Structures Report

BMS 103 , March 1943.

3. H. D. Bareither, A. N. Fleming, and B. E. Alberty, "Temperature and Heat

Loss Characteristics of Concrete Floors Laid on the Ground,” University

of Illinois Small Homes Council Technical Report , PB 93920, 1948.

4. A. H. Lachenbruch, "Three Dimensional Heat Conduction in Permafrost Beneath

Heated Buildings," Geological Survey Bulletin 1052-B , U.S. Government

Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1957.

5. B. Adamson, "Soil Temperature Under Houses Without Basements,"

Byggf orskningen Handlinger, Nr 46 Transactions, 1964.

6. R. W. R. Muncey and J. W. Spencer, "Heat Flow into the Ground Under a House," Energy Conservation in Heating, Cooling, and Ventilating Buildings , Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, Washington, D.C., Vol. 2, pp. 649-660,

1978.

7. H. Akasaka, "Calculation Methods of the Heat Loss Through a Floor and

Basement Walls," Transactions of the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning , and Sanitary Engineers of Japan , No. 7, pp. 21-35, June 1978.

8. T. Kusuda, "Review of Current Calculation Procedures for Building Energy

Analysis," National Bureau of Standards NBSIR 80-2068, July 1980.

9. T. Kusuda, "Thermal Response Factors for Multi-Layer Structures of Various

Heat Conduction Systems" ASHRAE Transactions , pp. 250-269, Part I, 1969.

10. , "Monthly Normal Temperatures, Precipitations and Degree

Days," U.S. Weather Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

,

1956.

35

APPENDIX A

Muncey/ Spencer Solution

In 1977, Muncey/ Spencer published a result of many years’ work [6] that involves

the frequency domain or Fourier series solution of the same differential equation which was solved by Lachenbruch by Green's Function [4]. The following

equations show the Muncey/ Spencer representations of slab surface temperature,

slab heat flux, Q, and room temperature above the slab, X, respectively:

V = T(x ’y>°' 6) = ££ Tm acos(I22.) cos(IHI)e

3 “6 <A-D

Tr

* fu gv

Q(x,y,0,9) = ZZ ncos (-H52-) cos(^E2-)e^ = — [X - V] (A-2)

’ fu gv R

a where Ra

= thermal resistance of the slab surface

XU,y,0,9) = ££ 2 cos(I2*) cos(TMl) ej“e (A-3)

fu 2V

where u, v, f and g are defined graphically in figure A-l.

Moreover, it was recommended that the summation of Fourier terms be carried out

for m and n from 1 through up to 16.

The integrated average floor heat loss is then

v u

q * / / Q(X,Y,0,9)dxdy

-v -u

ZZ W mn n cos(IHi)cos(IHZ)

£u gv

ej uQ

W

o,o +

r

^ 2W I zwm,o

sinjrm

f f1

0 16 +

Z fg m=l fg urn T~

n=l

16 16

Z Z

r si n Ttm 2

f

i r

c-j n 1Tn g_l

2

2W sin:

o ,n

ini g

fg Tm

g

whe re

IB)

2 + ( IB)2 + ji££

fu gv k

W.

1 V(^)

Z + + k.R

£ gv

(A-4)

A-l
z0,0 fg

Zm,o

JL sinCLSL)

umg f

Z

o , n JL sin OH)

Tinf g

a = k_ or

cp k a

The heat flux solution (A-4), which is also the overall heat transfer

coefficient between the in- and outdoor temperature, was obtained on the basis

that room temperature X, instead of the slab surface temperature V, was kept

constant over the slab, or -u<x<u and -vCy<v (Figure A-l).

Applying the solution (A-4) into many different slab programs, Muncey and

Spencer were able to develop a standard slab thermal resistance curve Rs , such

as shown in Figure A-2 , for a 10 m x 10 m square slab on the soil having thermal conductivity of 1 W/m • K. This Rs can be used to determine the thermal

resistance R of other slabs by the following relationship:

a = perimeter ratio with respect to the standard slab

6 - thermal conductivity ratio with respect to the standard slab

l = wall thickness (edge distance)

A

F = shape correction factor, which is a function of [ p/ 4 ] 2 (Figure A-3

A = slab area

P = slab perimeter length

This particular Muncey/Spencer solution is, however, not applicable for the

evaluation of seasonal slab-on-grade heat transfer.

where

A-2
MUNCEY/SPENCER SYSTEM

Figure A-l. Muncey/Spencer slab model!/
pin

co

CM

in

o

co

CM

m/ic z id • J H 33N»lSIS3a 1VNH3H1 QNnOUS 3SV9 -SS

Figure A- 2 . Thermal resistances for a square slab of 40 m perimeter

for a ground conductivity of 1.0 W/m-K for various

values of edge distance e and air film resistance H.

A-4

RF:

FLOOR

SLAB

THERMAL

RESISTANCE,

Hr

- Ft 2

-

°F/Btu
</>

05

o

CO

in

cn

CM

CM

aoiovj Hoii33aaoa aavns a\ns = sj

Figure A-3 . Correction factor for non-square slabs

A5

AREA

{%

PERIMETER)
NBS-U4A ( REV. 2-60

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET (See instructions)

1. PUBLICATION OR

REPORT NO.

NBSIR 81-2420

2. Performing Organ. Report No. 3. Publication Date

Feb' lary 1982 4.

TITLE AND SUBTITLE

SEASONAL HEAT LOSS CALCULATION FOR SLAB-ON-GRADE FLOORS

5.

AUTHOR(S)

Tamami Kusuda; M. Mizuno; J.W. Bean

6.

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than NBS. see in struction s)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

7. Contract/Grant No.

S. Type of Report & Period Covered

9.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street. City. State. ZIP)

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Solar Application for Buildings

Conservation and Renewable Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW - Washington, DC 20585

10.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

j j Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FIPS Software Summary, is attached.

11.

ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a si gnificant

bi bl iography or literature survey, mention it here)

In order to facilitate an efficient slab-on-grade heat transfer calculation on

a comprehensive energy analysis program such as DoE-2, BLAST and NBSLD heat

transfer calculations for slab-on-grade floors are reviewed. The computational

procedure based on the Lachenbruch method is studied in depth to generate

monthly average temperatures at a given depth below the floor slab. The data

generated by the Lachenbruch method are then used to develop a simplified

procedure for determining the monthly average earth temperatures below the

floor slab. These monthly average temperature data can be used for the

hourly response factor analysis of floor-slab heat transfer.

12. KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolons)

Building heat transfer; DoE-2 Energy Analysis computer program; monthly

average earth temperature; thermal response factors.

13. AVAILABILITY 14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

| y | Unlimited

| j For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS 49

|

| Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

15. Price 20402.

j XI Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161 $7.50 J

’JSCOMM-OC 3043-PS