Structural mass cooling in a commercial building using hollowcore concrete plank

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6403440

Barnaby, C D ^[1]; Nall, D H; Dean, E

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1. Berkeley Solar Group, CA

This study examines the energy and power saving benefits of several methods of structural mass cooling for commercial buildings in two climates of the United States, Sacramento, CA, and Washington, DC. Four approaches, all using evaporatively cooled night air as a heat sink, are examined, two with precast concrete double-T floors and two with hollowcore concrete plank. Comparison of the results of modelling with first three approaches led to the design of the last approach which results in significant savings in energy and operating cost. A model building of 100,000 sq. ft. was simulated using the NBSGLD energy analysis program developed by Berkeley Solar Group. A modification to the program allows the explicit modelling a massive plenum for either supply or return air. The study shows that conventional approaches to utilization of structural mass for passive cooling have inherent limitations, which preclude dramatic savings, especially for peak demand. Investigation of a system pioneered in Sweden utilizing the cores of precast concrete plank for supply ducts reveals that, in dry climates, this system saves energy, dramatically reduces peak electrical demand and produces a favorable return on investment over the life of the building.

• OSTI ID: 6403440
• Report Number(s): CONF-801016-(Vol.2)
• Journal Information: Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States), Vol. 5.2; Conference: 5. national passive solar conference, Amherst, MA, USA, 19 Oct 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
14 SOLAR ENERGY
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
RADIATIVE COOLING
THERMAL MASS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CONCRETE BLOCKS
COOLING
DESIGN
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PASSIVE SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
BUILDINGS
EQUIPMENT
MASS
MATERIALS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
320100* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings
140901 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling