[EnergyPlus_Support] Diamond-polished concrete floors - thermal mass modeling

["grahovacman" <grahovacman@xxxxxxxxx>]

My company needs someone to model the thermal mass energy-saving 
benefits (compared to carpeted concrete floors)of interior exposed 
concrete floors that have been chemically densified, aesthetically 
stained, and diamond-polished.  

We want to establish a tentative path forward for architects seeking 
to obtain LEED points based on the use of these non-carpeted highly 
durable concrete floors.  We are giving presentations on this to 
groups of architects across the US.

We need someone to model a simple rectangular building with 
fundamental passive solar design for the Chicago, Illinois USA 
heating-dominated climate (rectangular with the south wall heavily 
fenestrated or glass curtain wall, see DOE information below).

I have received a proposal to spend 200 hours doing this, but I 
believe what we are seeking can be done in a much shorter time.  All 
we want to do is demonstrate the concept that non-carpeted concrete 
has greater thermal mass benefits than carpeted concrete -- benefits 
that will manifest themselves in a computer modeling scenario.  

This should be something that can be done in a few hours by someone 
whom we can then recommend to architects for modeling these kinds of 
floors on actual LEED projects.  

Sincerely,

Paul Grahovac, LEED AP
PROSOCO, Inc.
785-830-7355


Heating-Dominated Climates

In heating-dominated climates, major glazing areas should generally 
face south to collect solar heat during the winter when the sun is 
low in the sky. In the summer, when the sun is high overhead, 
overhangs or other shading devices (e.g., awnings) prevent excessive 
heat gain. 

To be effective, south-facing windows usually must have a solar heat 
gain coefficient (SHGC) of greater than 0.6 to maximize solar heat 
gain during the winter, a U-factor of 0.35 or less to reduce 
conductive heat transfer, and a high visible transmittance (VT) for 
good visible light transfer.

Windows on east-, west-, and north-facing walls are reduced in 
heating climates, while still allowing for adequate daylight. East- 
and west-facing windows are limited because it is difficult to 
effectively control the heat and penetrating rays of the sun when it 
is low in the sky. These windows should have a low SHGC and/or be 
shaded. North-facing windows collect little solar heat, so they are 
used just to provide useful lighting.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/windows_doors_skylight
s/index.cfm/mytopic=13360



------------------------------------

The primary EnergyPlus web site is found at:
http://www.energyplus.gov

The group web site is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support/

Attachments are not allowed -- please post any files to the appropriate folder in the Files area of the Support Web Site.

EnergyPlus Documentation is searchable.  Open EPlusMainMenu.pdf under the Documentation link and press the "search" button.
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:EnergyPlus_Support-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    mailto:EnergyPlus_Support-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    EnergyPlus_Support-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/