[GSBN] Modelling or measuring mass effect of interior plaster

Tue May 7 23:21:42 UTC 2013

Bear in mind that we are talking about the Southern Hemisphere.

We haven't fallen off the earth as yet!!!

Bohdan Dorniak

"Architect still hanging onto the earth"

From: GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com
[mailto:GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com] On Behalf Of John Swearingen
Sent: Wednesday, 8 May 2013 5:55 AM
To: Global Straw Building Network
Subject: Re: [GSBN] Modeling or measuring mass effect of interior plaster

Well, it's hard to take seriously anyone who thinks the sun shines into
north-facing windows, but outside of that, the results are very much in line
with our observations--more mass equals temperature moderation and comfort.
The paper stresses (over and over) that this is for mass in visual contact
with the sun, because the buildings are designed as solar collectors.
Similar advantages in temperature moderation apply to mass that does not
have direct solar contact. (Also for wood-stove heated buildings, when the
mass can absorb excess heat in the burning cycle). 

The question I have is whether you can have too MUCH thermal mass, and at
what point does that occur.  Any thick mass walls in a building with
eventually reach an average ambient temperature, and will only release (or
absorb) heat very slowly, in the long term.  In my experience, plastered
bale walls hover pretty close to room temperature, and like mass walls,
aren't experienced as cold.  A slab floor, by location, thickness and
generally low insulation values, can tend to be experienced as cold if it
isn't heated by sun or other means.

Sometimes single-level homes with a collector slab will, at night, tend to
stratify.  The efficiency of heat transfer can be improved by just a slight
level change to drive the convection loop. Even one step between the
bedrooms and living area is enough to make a significant increase in air
circulation during the night.

On Mon, May 6, 2013 at 6:05 PM, Bohdan Dorniak
<bohdan at bdcoarchitects.com.au> wrote:

Hi All

This is a note that has been published by the Australian Institute of
Architects regarding Thermal Mass.

I thought that you may find this interesting? Any comments John?? Laura??

Regards

Bohdan Dorniak

From: GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com
[mailto:GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com] On Behalf Of John Swearingen
Sent: Tuesday, 7 May 2013 9:38 AM
To: Global Straw Building Network
Subject: Re: [GSBN] Modeling or measuring mass effect of interior plaster

Laura,

Modeling thermal mass is generally difficult because of the large variable
conditions of heat transfer related to air circulation. We've done this in
Energy-10 with some success, and usually our projections have come out on
the conservative side--the temperature swings have been less than we
calculated. 

The other very large variable is climate--temperatures and sunshine at
different times of the year. Everyone I know who does this successfully had
dialed it in from years of experience in one particular climate, with which
they are familiar.

As to whether the walls make a difference,  the short answer is, I think it
makes a big difference, and that many of the lauded characteristics of
thermal comfort in straw bale buildings may have as much to do with the
thermal mass on the walls as with the insulation.  Modulated temperature
swings can influence occupant behavior positively, reducing reliance on
mechanical systems, over and above straight Btu calculations.

The ultimate efficiency of thermal mass is tied to the heat-transfer
mechanism for exchanging heat between the mass and the rest of the building
(air).  A floor slab is thick and of limited surface area; bale walls are
thin with a much larger surface area. So floor slabs are longer term
storage, and walls  function very effectively to modulate temperature swings
on a short term (diurnal) cycle which can reduce loads on mechanical systems
and increase comfort in passive buildings.  I don't think there is too much
danger of over-massing, and haven't seen it in our buildings, because the
relatively thin mass of the walls, backed by insulation and actively
transferring heat, stays close to room temperature and so isn't felt as too
cold or hot.

Temperature modulation can result in significant changes in how mechanical
heating and cooling are used by the occupants: if the building is slow to
cool off at night, for instance, the occupants don't call for heat early in
the evening.  The key here is responsiveness, which is related to surface
area. Mass walls also help to distribute Btu's somewhat between warmer and
cooler areas of the building: cooler walls will absorb heat more readily
than warm walls, so they are somewhat of a magnet for warm air when located
in cooler areas of the building.  

Well, hope this helps!

John.

On Mon, May 6, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Laura Bartels <laura at greenweaver.com>
wrote:

Hello All,

I'm writing to ask if anyone has had experience with modeling or measuring
the mass effect of interior plaster of bale walls versus other interior
finishes. This has come up on a straw bale project in design phase I've
involved in which has a net zero energy goal. The project is large, about
6000 sf. The owners are interested in  barnwood interior wall surfaces (over
plaster) on all or some walls. With the net zero goal, the question is what
we might lose in having wood rather than exposed plaster. There will be
adobe floors which will already provide direct and indirect gain mass.  

Anyone tackled this topic or have a guess about how to look at this? Our
team has talked about estimating direct vs. indirect gain wall surfaces
through sun studies in ArchiCAD as a starting point. 

Looking forward to hearing any thoughts on this.

Laura

Laura Bartels

GreenWeaver Inc.

520 S. Third St., Suite 5 

Carbondale, CO 81623
970-379-6779
www.greenweaverinc.com

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-- 
John Swearingen
Skillful Means Design & Construction
2550 9th Street   Suite 209A
Berkeley, CA   94710
510.849.1800 phone
510.849.1900 fax

Web Site:  http://www.skillful-means.com
Blog:         https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com 

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GSBN mailing list
GSBN at sustainablesources.com
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-- 
John Swearingen
Skillful Means Design & Construction
2550 9th Street   Suite 209A
Berkeley, CA   94710
510.849.1800 phone
510.849.1900 fax

Web Site:  http://www.skillful-means.com
Blog:         https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com 

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