Comparison of the periodic solution method with TRNSYS and SUNCODE for thermal building simulation

Based on periodic solutions of the governing heat conduction equations in a single zone building, computer software ADMIT has been developed for thermal simulation of buildings. Standard computer software, namely TRNSYS and SUNCODE, have also been used to simulate the same building under similar conditions. Simulations have been performed for three different climatic zones in India for light and heavy constructions under conditions of glazed/unglazed areas and ventilation rates. The results are presented in terms of the hourly variation of the room temperature. For insulated heavy construction, the results of different models are significantly different. This difference is due to the use of different approaches to solve the heat conduction equations. SUNCODE depends on the RC network approach and underestimates the heat losses. TRNSYS uses the transfer function approach, which is sensitive to the initially assumed value of the room temperature. ADMIT represents a quasi-steady-state periodic variation and is not suitable for transient variations. For insulated light buildings, the heat transfer mechanisms used in the mathematical models are not the governing factors. The models also differ in treating the penetration of solar radiation through a glazed window and the subsequent heat-transfer mechanism. For a south window and air changes in an insulated building, the results obtained by SUNCODE and ADMIT are in good agreement, but the results obtained by TRNSYS are considerably different. The reason for this needs detailed analysis.