Analysis and thermal optimization of an ecological ventilated self-weighted wood panel for roofs by FVM

• Published in: Meccanica (Milan) 2010-10, Vol.45 (5), p.619-634
• Main Authors: del Coz Díaz, Juan José, García Nieto, Paulino José, Martínez-Luengas, Alfonso Lozano, González Martínez, María Placeres
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automotive Engineering; Civil Engineering; Classical Mechanics; Ecological monitoring; Finite difference method; Finite volume method; Fluxes; Heat transfer; Mathematical analysis; Mechanical Engineering; Panels; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Wood
• ISSN: 0025-6455; 1572-9648
• DOI: 10.1007/s11012-009-9224-0

This work is to study the performance of an ecological ventilated self-weighted wood panel used on roofs in order to get a high energy savings. With this aim, we have carried out a convective heat transfer analysis of the panel by the finite volume method (FVM). Pure conduction is found in the wood panel through their thermal properties. Heat transfer by convection is always accompanied by conduction, that is to say, among the external air and the upper internal surface of the panel, and the internal air and the inner lower surface of the panel taking into account the heat conduction of the internal ribs. The finite volume method (FVM) is a method for representing and evaluating partial differential equations as algebraic equations. Similar to the finite difference method, values are calculated at discrete places on a meshed geometry. ‘Finite volume’ refers to the small volume surrounding each node point on a mesh. In the finite volume method, volume integrals in a partial differential equation that contain a divergence term are converted to surface integrals, using the divergence theorem. These terms are then evaluated as fluxes at the surfaces of each finite volume. Because the flux entering a given volume is identical to that leaving the adjacent volume, these methods are conservative. One advantage of the finite volume method over the finite difference method is that it does not require a structured mesh, although a structured mesh can be used. The FVM can solve problems on irregular geometries. Furthermore, one advantage of the finite volume method over the finite element method is that it can conserve the variables on a coarse mesh easily. This is an important characteristic for fluid problems just as in this case. Finally, conclusions of this study are exposed.