Thermal Modelling
As part of the architectural design process Gale & Snowden can also provide a dynamic thermal modelling service. Our mechanical engineering team has over 10 years experience of delivering this enlightening service.
The aim behind this design service is to minimise the requirement for active mechanical systems (such as heating, cooling, ventilation) whilst still maintaining adequate internal comfort conditions throughout the daily and annual cyclic weather conditions in any given location.
This is carried out utilising 3D modelling software which runs real time weather and building simulations against any proposed design paying particular emphasis to the buildings interaction with the sun and wind. Real time weather data utilised during this process is derived from the MET offices historical records for the region taking into account any likely future global warming scenarios.
During this process specific attention is given to: the buildings location and orientation and prevailing daily and yearly weather conditions, its thermal mass, its natural ventilation strategy, glazing details and shading properties, the building’s façade and how solar enhancing or shading devices can be incorporated. Detailed controls strategies can also be incorporated within the modelling process to determine the optimum operating parameters whether it be via user manual control or natural ventilation systems which open via actuated time and temperature controls.
In principle these considerations can be applied to any building, how they are integrated within the aesthetics and functionality of the design and at what point in the design process is the key to providing a building that does not overheat and maintains adequate thermal conditions all year round.
Thermal Modelling Service
- Dynamically assessing designs to optimise comfort strategies to optimise daylight, minimise heat loss, and to ensure buildings do not overheat
- Daylight modelling to ensure adequate daylight levels and reduce
- electrical lighting loads
- Summertime overheating modelling to design passive buildings that do not overheat and require air conditioning
- Natural ventilation modelling whether via stack effect or cross flow
- Thermal modelling to develop façade design – brise soleils, overhangs, shading, window strategies
