Effect of foundation designs of passive house on the thermal bridges at the ground
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the effect of different foundation designs of passive house on the resultant thermal bridges, at the junction between a wall and a slab on grade.
Design/methodology/approach
The linear thermal transmittances of some newly developed foundations of passive house are determined. The investigated foundation designs are L-element, U-element and foundation with foam glass technique.
Findings
It is found that the special design of passive house foundation can considerably influence the heat flow through thermal bridges. In this context, it is proposed a new foundation design of passive house, which has relatively low heat loss through thermal bridges. The results are compared with the “default” ISO values used to evaluate the effect of thermal bridges in typical buildings. It is found that there is large difference between the calculated linear thermal transmittances at the investigated foundations of passive house as compared to typical buildings.
Practical implications
The results can hopefully be used to improve the energy efficiency of the passive house.
Social implications
Sustainable solution of buildings.
Originality/value
A new foundation design of passive house is suggested to reduce heat loss through thermal bridges.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank building engineer Tobias Walleskog for helping in carrying out computer calculations. Thanks also to reviewers for helpful suggestions.
Citation
Hassan, O.A.B. (2016), "Effect of foundation designs of passive house on the thermal bridges at the ground", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 602-613. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-09-2014-0059
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited