Heat and Moisture Transfer through Building Materials

About the Book

The book “HEAT AND MOISTURE TRANSFER through building materials” expands upon the principles of the finite element method and it expresses the author’s experience in applying this method in the study of actual thermal-physical problems of building design practice. Part I addresses the mathematical description of heat and moisture diffusion phenomena, described by means of the governing partial differential equations and appropriate building wall boundary conditions. Thermodynamic potentials are employed to depict system behavior estimation – this is a very novel and innovative manner. Applying this new form to the Fourier-Fick law for transport processes presents a very interesting and theoretical approach. Likewise, the basic mathematical integrals utilized in constructing the finite element approach are explained in Part I. Part II serves as a guide for applying Galerkin’s method to estimate the characteristics of the thermo system “solid wall-environment.” Close attention is paid to the use of simplex elements. Numerous figures and examples illustrating application of 1-, 2- and 3-D simplex elements are provided. A description of solution techniques based on wave front and global matrix methods is also given. The following important steps have been undertaken when designing mathematical models of transfer processes in building elements and materials: - Derivation of a new form of the generalized law of transfer – equation ; - Derivation of new – gradient forms of the differential equation of transfer; - Formulation of the boundary conditions on solid wall elements and a mathematical description of the physical processes in the wall boundary area and in the ambient air in the diagram of state; - Analysis of the significance of specific building conditions for moisture and heat diffusion through solid wall elements of buildings - general building architectonics, specificities of the landscape and building situation, wind direction, exposure of the building site; - Derivation of the equations of the finite elements in a matrix form and development of examples concerning specific structures of finite elements; - Formulation of four priorities of the study of solid wall elements of building facing. The author shares the idea that the performance of scientific-applied studies using software packages that employ finite elements will aid the study of diffusion in solid walls. This approach will improve the existing standards and normative documents which regulate design practice and concerning the Indexes and Classes of the building envelope energy efficiency. The latter will improve in its turn building quality as a whole, yielding decrease in current costs and improvement of the quality of life and health of residents. The book should be useful to both graduate students at the MS and PhD levels as well as research fellows working in the areas of building-architectural design, heat transfer technology, and heating, and air-conditioning.

About the Author

Dr. Dimitrov is a mechanical engineer and a well known university lecturer in the field of Heat-techniques and HVAC Systems with more than 25 years experience in CE. He has taught at two different universities in several engineering subjects for civil engineers. He has written two textbooks and two monographs in his area of expertise. He was a visiting researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, research consultant in the Center for Energy Research of UNLV and Invited lecturer in 2008 Climademia, a project supported by 7FP of European Commission. Dr. Dimitrov has eight years experience in the field of experimental building aerodynamics and more than fifteen years in the field of Engineering Buildings Systems. He was awarded a PhD degree in this area and has more than 70 papers and ten patents. He was involved in more than 44 research and design projects, which are applied with great success. He has expertise in heat exchange modeling and design of HVAC systems with participations in more than 10 project teams. Dr. Dimitrov is a member of the ASHRAE. He is a Faculty Senator; a Quality Committee member, an Academic Council Control Committee member and an academic board member of his university. He has been awarded with more than 10 different awards for the development work and activities involving his students. His projects have been awarded at national and international competitions gratitude diplomas for participation.