Ground-coupling techniques for cooling in desert regions

Conference · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6551289

Bircher, T. L.

Results compiled from a parametric study of several variables that effect ground-coupling techniques for buildings in hot, arid regions are discussed. Finite difference models were devised and analyzed by the computer program SPICE to quantify these effects. Earlier results showed that berming or burying a structure to a depth of 3.6 m and insulating only the roof plane reduce the cooling load by 40% and virtually eliminate the heating load compared to a well-insulated building on the surface. Soil isotherm contours and heat flux results from surface and earth-integrated buildings are presented to further compare their thermal behavior.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 6551289
• Report Number(s): SERI/TP-722-1165; CONF-810509-19
• Resource Relation: Conference: Annual conference of the International Solar Energy Society, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 26 May 1981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
BUILDINGS
COOLING
EARTH BERMS
PERFORMANCE
EARTH-COVERED BUILDINGS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
AIR INFILTRATION
ARID LANDS
COMPUTER CODES
COOLING LOAD
DESERTS
FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD
HEAT FLUX
HEATING LOAD
ISOTHERM
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
S CODES
SOILS
THERMAL COMFORT
THERMAL INSULATION
UNDERGROUND
ITERATIVE METHODS
LEVELS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SIMULATION
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling