Thermal building simulation and computer generation of nodal models

The designer's preoccupation with reducing energy needs and obtaining a better thermal quality of indoor ambiance has helped in the development of several packages simulating the dynamic behaviour of buildings. This paper shows the adaptation of a method of thermal analysis, the nodal analysis, linked to the case of a building's thermal behaviour. We consider the case of conduction into a wall, the coupling with superficial exchanges and finally the constitution of thermal state models of the budding. Large variations exist from one building to another, and it is therefore necessary to build the thermal model from the building description. The chosen method in the case of our thermal simulation program for buildings, CODYRUN, is explained. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.