Click to View Mathcad Document

PTC_CE_BTA_1.1_us_mp.mcdx

Mathcad Enabled Content Copyright 2011 Knovel Corp. Building Thermal Analysis Andreas Athienitis 2011 Parametric Technology Corp. Chapter 1 Steady-state heat conduction 1.1 Heat Conduction in Multilayered Walls Disclaimer While Knovel and PTC have made every effort to ensure that the calculations, engineering solutions, diagrams and other information (collectively Solution) presented in this Mathcad worksheet are sound from the engineering standpoint and accurately represent the content of the book on which the Solution is based, Knovel and PTC do not give any warranties or representations, express or implied, including with respect to fitness, intended purpose, use or merchantability and/or correctness or accuracy of this Solution. Array origin:

ORIGIN 1
The following example demonstrates calculation of the thermal resistance and temperature distribution within a wall assuming one-dimensional steady-state heat transfer. Note that in some cases different parts of the wall may have different layers, such as wood studs providing structural support. To determine a correct wall R-value in such cases, we need to calculate the correct value through each heat flow path and determine the overall R-value based on the relative area of each path. Basic Equations Heat flow q through a wall layer of thickness L, surface area A and thermal conductivity k is given by

Thot Tcold q R

with

L R kA

Heat flow q by convection or radiation described in approximate terms by a heat transfer coefficient h (convective, radiative, or combined):

Thot Tcold q R

with

1 R hA

Thermal resistance Ra through a path a is given by the sum of the resistances of the interior film, each wall layer and the exterior film. If a different path has thermal resistance Rb then the total wall resistance based on parallel heat flow paths is given by

A R Aa Ab + Ra Rb

where

A Aa + Ab

Mathcad Enabled Content Copyright 2011 Knovel Corp. All rights reserved.

Page 1 of 4

PTC_CE_BTA_1.1_us_mp.mcdx

In the example below, consider a wall with three layers: 1. Gypsum board 2. Insulation 3. Brick

Input parameters:

watt hi 0.465 ft 2 F watt ho 1.032 ft 2 F A 10 ft 2 L 0.043 ft

1

interior heat transfer (film) coefficient exterior heat transfer coefficient

heat transfer area (surface) Li = thickness of layer i

watt k 0.027 1 ft F L 0.164 ft

2

ki = thermal conductivity of layer i

watt k 0.004 2 ft F L 0.328 ft

3

watt k 0.254 3 ft F

Mathcad Enabled Content Copyright 2011 Knovel Corp. All rights reserved.

Page 2 of 4

PTC_CE_BTA_1.1_us_mp.mcdx

N3 i1N 1 RI hi A 1 RO ho A L i R i k A
i

N = number of layers (i denotes layer)

RI = interior film resistance

RO = exterior film resistance

Ri = resistance of wall layer i

Rtot RI + R + RO
i i

F Rtot = 4.7 watt

Rtot = total resistance of wall

Calculation of heat flow Q from inside (temperature TI) to outside (temperature TO):

TO 4 F m2N Twi TI Q RI T Twi Q R

1

TI 68 F TI TO Q Rtot
Twi = wall room side surface temperature

T T
m

m1

QR

Q = 15.318 watt 1 i=2 3

Twi = 64.706 F 62.266 T = 0.538 F i 2.516

Mathcad Enabled Content Copyright 2011 Knovel Corp. All rights reserved.

Page 3 of 4

PTC_CE_BTA_1.1_us_mp.mcdx

User Notices

Equations and numeric solutions presented in this Mathcad worksheet are applicable to the
specific example, boundary condition or case presented in the book. Although a reasonable effort was made to generalize these equations, changing variables such as loads, geometries and spans, materials and other input parameters beyond the intended range may make some equations no longer applicable. Modify the equations as appropriate if your parameters fall outside of the intended range. For this Mathcad worksheet, the global variable defining the beginning index identifier for vectors and arrays, ORIGIN, is set as specified in the beginning of the worksheet, to either 1 or 0. If ORIGIN is set to 1 and you copy any of the formulae from this worksheet into your own, you need to ensure that your worksheet is using the same ORIGIN. Engineering and construction code values shown in US Customary units are converted from original values in Metric units. They are NOT obtained from US codes unless specified.

Mathcad Enabled Content Copyright 2011 Knovel Corp. All rights reserved.

Page 4 of 4