Construction layer data

Layers tab on Constructions Dialog.

Calculation Settings

Simulation solution algorithm

Some constructions may need a particular solution algorithm to obtain most realistic results. For example PCMs require a finite difference solution. However simulations may run slowly if all surfaces are simulated using the finite difference solution method. This option allows you to override the overall simulation solution algorithm for any surfaces using this construction.

 

Options are:

 

 

You may wish to use this option to select the 2-Finite difference option for constructions which have one or more of:

 

 

Bear in mind that the simulation times will increase when using the finite difference option even for just a few surfaces. If you are in doubt, you may find it worthwhile experimenting with the 2 solution methods, comparing hourly results, to see the effect of changes. Depending on the case, it may or may not be worth the extra simulation time required by the finite difference option.

 

Note 1: Any settings made here will only take effect if the Allow individual constructions to override solution method model option is checked.

Note 2: This setting only applies to simulations. Heating and Cooling design calculations use the CTF algorithm for all surfaces.

Layers

Set the number of layers first, then select the material and thickness for each layer. Use the Controls in the Info Panel to insert and delete layers.  For example to delete a layer, first click on the material for the layer to identify which layer you want to delete, then click on Delete layer.

 

You can create constructions with up to 10 layers.

 

You should define the layers in the same order they appear in the actual construction starting with the outermost layer and finishing with the innermost. The outermost layer will be positioned adjacent to outside (or in the case of Semi--exposed walls) adjacent to the semi-exposed unconditioned zone.

 

For interior surfaces (partitions, internal floors etc) the order of the layers is determined through a series of checks to see which zone is relatively ‘more external’. For example, if one zone is unconditioned and the other not then the partition layers are ordered so that the outermost layer is next to the unconditioned zone. When both zones are occupied, a similar check is made using heating and cooling setpoint temperatures. If after all these checks the zones are still both equally ‘internal’ then the direction of the layers will be set up in an arbitrary way.

 

Note: You should not include surface resistance (film coefficient) layers to represent the resistance of the air films adjacent to the inner and outer surfaces. These are included automatically by DesignBuilder.

Thickness

This field characterizes the thickness of the material layer. This is the dimension of the layer in the direction perpendicular to the main path of heat conduction.

 

If the material referenced is defined as a simple R-value then the layer thickness does not affect the thermal performance of the construction.

 

If the material is defined as having a fixed thickness then the layer thickness is loaded automatically when the material is selected and the thickness does not have to be entered and cannot be edited.

Bridging

You can add repeating thermal bridging to any layer to model the effect of a relatively more conductive material bridging a less conductive material.  For example wooden joists bridging an insulation layer.

 

Note: bridging effects are not yet used directly in EnergyPlus, but are used in energy code compliance checks requiring U-values to be calculated according to BS EN ISO 6946. However see below for a workaround to this limitation.

 

Method for approximating repeating bridging effects in simulations

 

Although EnergyPlus cannot allow repeating bridging directly in simulations it is possible to approximate the effect of bridging by adjusting the thickness of the insulation to a value that gives the same U-value as the bridged construction calculated using BS EN ISO 6946. This is easily achieved by following these steps:

 

  1. Define the construction including bridging data as in the screenshot below.



  2. Note the construction bridged U-value on the Calculated tab, see below.



  3. Going back to the layers tab, switch off all bridging and set the U-value to the bridged U-value by clicking on the Set U-value link in the Info panel.



  4. Enter the recorded bridged U-value (0.397 W/m2-K in this case) on the dialog and press OK.



  5. Confirm the reduced insulation thickness when prompted.
  6. Check the new insulation thickness and U-value of the construction. The insulation thickness should be reduced as per the pop up message and the U-value should be the same as the bridged value you recorded earlier. The construction should now behave in a very similar way to the bridged construction in heating and cooling design calculations and in simulations.