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The whole wall thermal performance calculator-on the net

Christian, J. E., J. Kosny, A. O. Desjarlais, and P. W. Childs
1998
Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VII, Clear water Beach, Florida, pp.287


Christian, J. E., J. Kosny, A. O. Desjarlais, and P. W. Childs, (1998), "The whole wall thermal performance calculator-on the net", Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VII, Clear water Beach, Florida, pp.287.
Abstract:
trend toward system performance codes, standards, and contracts leads to the need for a quick method of estimating the whole wall R-value for exterior envelope systems. Calculation ofthe actual whole wall R-value of traditional dimensional wood-framed wall systems is, in general, well understood by the residential designer and building contractor However the accuracy of esti-mating the thennalperfor7nance of other viable wall systems falls off rapidly, particularly if several different types of wall systems are being considered at the building conceptual design stages. At the Envelopes VI conference in 1995, a new methodology was Presented for addressing this need. Three years later, more than 15 wall system manufacturers have submitted 40 different wall systems for generation of a whole wall R-value based on full-scale wall hot box tests. The hot box tests occasionally generated some unexpected results but provide a very credible check on computer modeling.

This paper describes results from both steady-state and dynamic hot box tests using ASTM C-1363-97. The tests are the starting 13 T eint for development of uniform whole wall R-values for inclusion in "The Whole-Wall Thermal Performance Calculator h following wall systems have been tested and are available for comparison: structural insulating panels with compressed straw core, conventional steel C-stud frame (2 in. x 6 itL[5 cm x 15.4 cm] and 2 in. x 4 in. [5 cm x 10 cm]), conventional metal frame with different types of sprayed foam insulation, novel metal studs, autoclaved concrete block structural straw bale, and an insu-lating concretefor7n. This paper describes "The Whole-Wall Thermal Performance Calculator, " which is available at . This interactive calculation tool can accept a simple description of Custom building plans and enable the Internet user to compare uniform whole wall R-values of at least 40 different wall systems. This provides the comfort of knowing that all are based on hot box measurements by a recognized, objective, and qualified third party in cooperation with the manufacturers of each wall system.


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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Christian, J. E.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  1. Laboratory measurements of the drying rates of low-slope roofing systems
  2. Moisture control in low-slope roofing: a new design requirement
  3. Moisture: its effects on the thermal performance of a low-slope roof system
  4. Whole wall rating/label for structural insulated panel: steady-state thermal analysis  
Kosny, J.
  1. Effect of framing factor on clear wall r-value for wood and steel framed walls
  2. Multi-dimensional heat transfer through complex building envelope assemblies in hourly energy simulation programs
  3. Theoretical and experimental thermal performance analysis of complex thermal storage membrane containing bio-based phase-change
  4. Whole wall rating/label for structural insulated panel: steady-state thermal analysis  
Desjarlais, A. O.
Program Manager, Building Materials and Structures, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Bethel Valley Rd., Bldg 3147, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6070, e-mail: yt7@ornl.gov
  1. An educational hygrothermal model: WUFI-ORNL/IBP
  2. Investigation of common thermal bridges in walls
  3. Laboratory measurements of the drying rates of low-slope roofing systems
  4. Moisture control in low-slope roofing: a new design requirement
  5. Moisture studies of a self-drying roof: tests in the large-scale climate simulator and results from thermal and hygric models
  6. Moisture: its effects on the thermal performance of a low-slope roof system
  7. Self-drying roofs: What? No dripping!
  8. Water-vapor measurements of low-slope roofing materials
  9. Whole wall rating/label for structural insulated panel: steady-state thermal analysis  
Childs, P. W.
  1. Laboratory measurements of the drying rates of low-slope roofing systems
  2. Moisture studies of a self-drying roof: tests in the large-scale climate simulator and results from thermal and hygric models  



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