OT-88-02-1 -- Calculation of Building Foundation Heat Loss Using Superposition and Numerical Scaling

A method has been developed that permits the numerical simulation of foundation heat loss for a large variety of climates at a significant reduction in computer time. By decomposing the governing heat conduction equation into steady-state and periodic components, a numerical scaling procedure was developed that enables a one-time simulation of the periodic foundation heat flow. These nondimensional results can be scaled up for any climate. Superposition with the corresponding steady-state component results in an accurate calculation of the foundation heat loss. A procedure was also developed that permits the simulation of snow cover.

Units: I-P