USER INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Wait 30secs for full download.

2. Enlarge screen to view full animation if necessary.

3. Click control buttons to view heat flow around an earth-sheltered building over initial two year period.

Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation of
PASSIVE ANNUAL HEAT STORAGE

Through CFD calculation we have been able to simulate the flow of heat within the ground around an earth-sheltered building. The phenomena is perhaps best understood by looking at a series of images showing earth and air temperatures over a period of two years after the completion of the building. This is the time it takes for sufficient heat to be stored in the ground; allowing the free running of the building. There will be no need to supply any extra heat other than that supplied by the sun, occupants and equipment in the building. This allows the possibility of a 'zero' energy building.

NOTE:

The only heat supplied in this simulated earth-sheltered building is that of solar energy and occupancy gains.

BACK

Use the interactive animation above to see how heat flows within the ground over this period and how a store of heat is accumulated. The principle is simple: heat flows from a warm body to a colder one. When the internal temperature within the space is warmer than the surrounding earth during the summer, heat flows into the earth and the space benefits from this cooling effect. When the internal air temperature is cooler than the surrounding earth during the winter months, heat flows from the surrounding earth into the internal space which benefits from the warming effect. Over the year, the flow of heat balances out.

With the Mile End Park project, this principle is being tested against the physical model of the finished ecology building to assess the validity of this approach for 'zero' energy building design.

OTHER TERRATECTURE PROJECTS:
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