This paper presents a numerical model to investigate the foundation heat transfer from conditioned basements when the ground is composed of multilayered strata with different thermal properties. The model is used to determine the thermal performance of several basement insulation configurations under both steady-state and transient conditions. It is found that the nonhomogeneity of the soil significantly affects the heat transfer from uninsulated basement walls rather than the basement floor or insulated basement walls.

AUTHOR: Sangho Choi, Ph.D., Moncef Krarti, Ph.D., P.E.
CITATION: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VII
KEYWORDS: December, Florida, 1998
YEAR: 1998