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How To Calculate The U-Value

This document provides instructions for calculating the U-value of normal construction elements like floors and roofs. It explains how to calculate the characteristic dimension B' and equivalent thickness def for ground floors, and defines the variables used in the calculations, which include the floor area Afg, perimeter Pf, wall thickness dw, ground thermal conductivity λg, and surface resistances Rsi, Rse, and Rf. Sample calculations are provided for determining the U-value based on whether the equivalent thickness is greater or less than the characteristic dimension.

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32 views6 pages

How To Calculate The U-Value

This document provides instructions for calculating the U-value of normal construction elements like floors and roofs. It explains how to calculate the characteristic dimension B' and equivalent thickness def for ground floors, and defines the variables used in the calculations, which include the floor area Afg, perimeter Pf, wall thickness dw, ground thermal conductivity λg, and surface resistances Rsi, Rse, and Rf. Sample calculations are provided for determining the U-value based on whether the equivalent thickness is greater or less than the characteristic dimension.

Uploaded by

ssyzl13
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

How to calculate the U-value

of normal constructional elements

Floor:
 Ground floor:

1, calculation of B'

' A fg
B=
0.5 P f
Where,
'
B is the characteristic dimension of the floor (m),
A fg is the area of floor in contact with the ground (m2)

Pf is the exposed perimeter of the floor (m)

2, calculation of equivalent thickness

d ef =d w + λg (R si + R f + R se )

Where,
d ef is the total equivalent thickness of the floor (m),

d w is the thickness of the wall surrounding the ground floor (m),

λ g is the thermal conductivity of the ground (W/m·K),

R si is the inside surface resistance (m2·K/W),

R s e is the external surface resistance (m2·K/W) for the outside ground surface

R f is the thermal resistance of the floor (m2·K/W).

Note:
R f includes the thermal resistance of any all-over insulation layers above, below or within the
floor slab, and that of any floor covering. The thermal resistance of dense concrete slabs and
thin floor coverings may normally be neglected. Hardcore below the slab is assumed to have
the same thermal conductivity as the ground and its thermal resistance is therefore not
included.

3, calculation of U-value

For d ef > B'


For d ef < B'

Note:
Unheated spaces outside the insulated fabric of the building (e.g. porches, attached garages or
storage areas) are excluded when determining pf and Afg, but the length of the wall between
the building and the unheated space must be included in the perimeter. The ground heat losses
are assessed as if the unheated spaces were not present.

Sample calculation:
 Suspended floor:

Roof:
 Flat roof:

 Pitched roof:

Reference data:

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