FEATool Multiphysics
v1.17.0
Finite Element Analysis Toolbox
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This is a benchmark test case for modeling the steady-state temperature distribution in a thermal bridge in building construction [1]. The model consists of a 6 mm concrete slab subjected to an outside temperature of 0 degrees and heat loss due to convection. The inside features a 4 cm layer of air enclosed within a 1.5 mm metal frame, which is attached to the slab with an insulating layer. The inside temperature is assumed a constant 20 degrees. The model can both be considered to be planar, and also symmetric at the ends so that only a 2D 0.5 m section needs to be modeled. The heat flux and temperature at various points is compared to given reference values [1].
The following section describes how to set up and solve the thermal bridge validation model with the FEATool graphical user interface (GUI).
This model is available as an automated tutorial by selecting Model Examples and Tutorials... > Heat Transfer > Thermal Bridge from the File menu. Or alternatively, follow the step-by-step instructions below. Note that the CFDTool interface differ slightly from the FEATool Multiphysics instructions described in the following.
Select the Heat Transfer physics mode from the Select Physics drop-down menu. (Note that for CFDTool the physics selection is done in the Equation settings dialog box.)
First create a 0.5 by 0.0475 m background rectangle for the domain.
0
into the xmin edit field.0.5
into the xmax edit field.0
into the ymin edit field.0.0475
into the ymax edit field.Then create rectangles for the top concrete slab and a smaller one for the insulating layer.
0
into the xmin edit field.0.5
into the xmax edit field.0.0415
into the ymin edit field.0.0475
into the ymax edit field.0
into the xmin edit field.0.0135
into the xmax edit field.0.0365
into the ymin edit field.0.0415
into the ymax edit field.Finally the polygon tool is used to define the shape of the metal frame.
x | y | |
---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 0.5 | 0 |
3 | 0.5 | 0.0015 |
4 | 0.0015 | 0.0015 |
5 | 0.0015 | 0.035 |
6 | 0.0135 | 0.035 |
7 | 0.0135 | 0.0365 |
8 | 0 | 0.0365 |
Press OK to finish and close the dialog box.
Although some geometry objects overlap, decomposed minimal regions will automatically be generated in the grid generation step.
Equation and material coefficients can be specified in Equation/Subdomain mode. In the Equation Settings dialog box that automatically opens select the four subdomains and change the heat coefficient for the thermal conductivity k correspondingly. As the simulation is stationary the density, heat capacity, and other coefficients don't come in to play and can be left to their default values. (Note that the Equation Settings dialog box may look different for CFDTool.)
1.15
into the Thermal conductivity edit field.0.12
into the Thermal conductivity edit field.230
into the Thermal conductivity edit field.Enter 0.029
into the Thermal conductivity edit field.
Note that FEATool works with any unit system, and it is up to the user to use consistent units for geometry dimensions, material, equation, and boundary coefficients.
In boundary mode, first select the Thermal insulation/symmetry condition for all left and right boundaries.
Then select the convective heat flux condition for the top and bottom boundaries.
1/0.06
into the Heat transfer coefficient edit field.Enter 0
into the Bulk temperature edit field.
1/0.11
into the Heat transfer coefficient edit field.20
into the Bulk temperature edit field.After the problem has been solved FEATool will automatically switch to postprocessing mode and display the Temperature. Open the postprocessing settings dialog box by clicking on the Plot Options Toolbar button and enable contour plot, as well as zoom in left side to see temperature in the joint section more clearly.
20
into the Number or specified vector of contour levels to plot edit field.Press OK to plot and visualize the selected postprocessing options.
Use the boundary integration menu option to calculate the inward and outward normal heat flux.
Press the Apply button.
We can see that a negative inward flux from the bottom boundary and corresponding outward from the top (with the convention that normal vectors point outwards). The computed heat flux magnitude of 9.3 compares well with the reference flux value of 9.5 W [1].
Lastly, we can use the point evalution menu option to compute the temperature and compare with the reference values
x | y | T |
---|---|---|
0 | 0.0475 | 7.1 |
0.5 | 0.0475 | 0.8 |
0 | 0.0415 | 7.9 |
0.0135 | 0.0415 | 6.3 |
0.5 | 0.0415 | 0.8 |
0 | 0.0365 | 16.4 |
0.0015 | 0.0365 | 16.3 |
0 | 0 | 16.8 |
0.5 | 0 | 18.3 |
0 0.5 0 0.0135 0.5 0 0.0015 0 0.5
into the Evaluation coordinates in x-direction edit field.0.0475 0.0475 0.0415 0.0415 0.0415 0.0365 0.0365 0 0
into the Evaluation coordinates in y-direction edit field.Press the Apply button.
The thermal bridge heat transfer model has now been completed and can be saved as a binary (.fea) model file, or exported as a programmable MATLAB m-script text file, or GUI script (.fes) file.
[1] ISO 10211:2007(en), Thermal bridges in building construction - Heat flows and surface temperatures, Test Case A.2.