Above-floor tube-and-plate radiant floor model development and validation. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brideau, S.A.; Beausoleil-Morrison, I.; Kummert, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of building performance simulation. Volume 11:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 449
• Page End: 469
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Above-floor tube-and-plate radiant floor -- model -- experimental validation -- inter-model comparison; 690.0113
• DOI: 10.1080/19401493.2017.1396359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1940-1493

Abstract

Abstract : While some building energy simulation tools include dedicated models to represent thermally massive embedded-tubes radiant floor systems, there are no models available for lightweight above-floor tube-and-plate (AFTP) systems. AFTP systems consist of a grooved wooden subfloor (or high density insulation layer), and conductive fin. This paper discusses the development of a transient AFTP radiant floor model and its implementation into ESP-r. This AFTP radiant floor model uses the general approach of the existing embedded-tube model in ESP-r and combines an analytical model of the tube with a two-dimensional finite difference model of the top layers of the floor construction. The new AFTP radiant floor model was found to compare closely with a transient two-dimensional finite element analysis model. Additionally, a full-scale transient experiment was conducted to empirically validate the model. The new model's predictions were found to be in close agreement with the measurements from this experiment.