The influence of a thermal bridge in the corner of the walls on the possibility of water vapour condensation

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of temperature on an internal wall surface. Simulations on the external wall corner were also carried out. It is a place where the surface temperature is lower due to the thermal bridge effect. The calculations were performed with the ADINA program used for numerical simulations on heat transfer through divisional structures. Finite element analysis was employed to solve the task. The calculations were performed for five case studies with different corner structures and different methods of insulation. The baseline was a wall with the heat transfer coefficient U = 0,30 W/(m2K). The reason for selecting such a coefficient for analysis was due to the fact that in most Polish buildings thermal resistance of walls results from technical norms from before January 2014. The findings of the numerical simulations were used to determine the maximum relative humidity of the internal air where water vapour condensation may occur on the internal surface of the corner. The calculations were crucial to making a qualitative assessment of the employed solutions. The findings showed that it is possible to improve the thermal functioning of a wall in the corner thanks to an additional layer of thermal insulation, for example in the form of an avant-corps, placed within the corner.

Assessment of the Applicability of Sustainable Epoxy Composites Containing Waste Rubber Aggregates in Buildings

“…The finite element method (FEM) was used to determine the influence of the application of the designed composite on the improvement of thermal conditions of the analyzed part of the building structure. Numerical simulations, including FEM in studies on heat flow through building partitions, give the opportunity to assess the correctness of the adopted solution and compare the obtained results with other solution concepts [36] without the need to perform costly and time-consuming tests of real models [37]. Numerical analysis is therefore an ideal tool at the stage of creating design concepts.…”

Analysis of the Thermal Characteristics of a Composite Ceramic Product Filled with Phase Change Material

“…In the case of tests carried out in external conditions, a longer period of time is required in order to determine the influence of external factors on the analyzed partition. Computer methods (numerical simulations or computational methods) are also used for the thermal characteristics of building elements or partitions [26][27][28]. In this case, the most commonly known parameters characterizing a given material and real values determining local climatic conditions are used for the analysis.…”

Methods for Determining Mold Development and Condensation on the Surface of Building Barriers

“…In older buildings, a frequent cause of condensation was the thermal bridges at the junctions of the external walls with the horizontal structural elements of the building [16,17].…”