Numerical simulation of heat losses from a slab-on-ground structure using Comsol-Multiphysics

Abstract

A transient two-dimensional numerical simulation using the COMSOL-Multiphysics software, is carried out for an experimental structure (Minnesota Experiment), and using the same thermo-physical properties of the soil and the same indoor and outdoor climatic conditions. The general heat transfer equation in unsaturated porous media has been used to simulate energy losses. A mathematical approach has also been developed in order to calculate the thermal conductivity of different materials with the aim of making them closer to real values. The main goal is to compare the results of the simulated temperatures with the values measured in-situ. An excellent correlation between the simulated temperatures and those resulting from the experimental structure was obtained. At the same time, the exhaustive analysis of heat fluxes crossing the soil-structure interface has enabled us to propose practical solutions for reducing losses through the slab-on-ground.

Keywords

• heat transfer
• slab-on -ground
• thermal conductivity
• comsol multiphysiques