Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
School of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
School of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
Thesis Abstract
The development of sustainable buildings has been a key focus for engineers and architects for decades with a disparity becoming apparent between improvements in engineering systems and the architectural built form.
The principles of "night cooling" and strategic location of passive thermal mass in facades and inside buildings to absorb internal and attenuate external gains during the day ready for night cooling have been identified as viable energy reduction strategies for many international climate zones. Increasing the effectiveness and controllability of passive thermal mass via "activation" through cast in hydronic pipe loops or air tubes is also an established design technique and the principles incorporated into many advanced building design schemes.
Whilst significant international research has been undertaken on passive and activated thermal mass, its direct relevance to Australian climate zones is not readily transposable and can often be misleading. Additionally, no research on changes in the effectiveness of night cooling and thermal mass use from climate change has been undertaken.
This research is primarily aimed at identifying the synergies between passive and activated thermal mass in commercial buildings in the various Australian climate zones. The optimum limits of thermal mass will be demonstrated through simulation modelling and the effect of climate change identified. The effect of exploitation of passive and activated thermal mass on energy use, comfort and embodied energy will also be quantified.
