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Title: Teaching students about two-dimensional heat transfer effects in buildings, building components, equipment, and appliances using THERM 2.0

Conference ·
OSTI ID:20002366

THERM 2.0 is a software program, available for free, that uses the finite-element method to model steady-state, two-dimensional heat-transfer effects. It is being used internationally in graduate and undergraduate laboratories and classes as an interactive educational tool to help students gain a better understanding of heat transfer. THERM offers students a powerful simulation engine combined with a simple, interactive interface and graphic results. Although it was developed to model thermal properties of building components such as windows, walls, doors, roofs, and foundations, it can be used to model thermal bridges in many other contexts, such as the design of equipment. These capabilities make it a useful teaching tool in classes on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); energy conservation; building design; and other subjects where heat-transfer theory and applications are important. The program's interface and graphic presentation allow students to see heat-transfer paths and to learn how changes in materials affect heat transfer. It is an excellent tool for helping students understand the practical application of heat-transfer theory.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
20002366
Report Number(s):
CONF-990102-; ISSN 0001-2505; TRN: IM200002%%366
Resource Relation:
Conference: ASHRAE Winter Meeting, Chicago, IL (US), 01/23/1999--01/27/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: ASHRAE transactions 1999: Technical and symposium papers. Volume 105, Part 1, 1387 pages.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English