8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL POWER ENGINEERING

April 14-15, 2011 - Bacau, ROMANIA

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MODELING OF CONDUCTIVE HEAT

TRANSFER BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION OF A BUILDING AND
GROUND
BARACU TUDOR, BADEA ADRIAN
University Politehnica from Bucharest, Faculty of Energetics

Abstract - The thermal interaction between foundation of the building and the ground
determine a complex heat transfer usually implying conduction, convection and radiation in
an unsteady regime. This study analyze thermal behavior of the soil in unsteady onedirectional regime and steady two-directional taking in consideration only the heat
conduction.
In first part is approached a numerical analysis of propagation of the waves of
temperature in the ground by an issued Matlab code.
Second part contain a simulation done by Ansys Fluent of heat transfer between
foundation of the building and ground, revealing the impact of thermal insulation on
reducing the heat losses.

Keywords - foundation of the building, insulation of foundation, ground heat transfer, soil
heat transferl, thermal insulation of foundation, foundation heat loss, ground heat loss

1. GRADIENT OF TEMPERATURE IN THE GROUND FOR A STEADY REGIME

We shortly present the case of an idealized foundation (Fig. 1.a, 1.b) being a floor slab having temperature
Tp, and the free surface of the soil having temperature T0. In the soil will be established a steady thermal field in
which flux curves are perpendicular to the isotherms that will be closed at the ends of the floor slab. [2], [3].
Under the floor slab appear an envelope bounded by a pair of neutral curves that are established as
equilibrium balance from thermal interaction between the slab with temperature Tp, and free surface of soil with
temperature T0. Basically, inside the envelope prevail the influence of the temperature of foundation slab and
outside its area the influence is mostly from external temperature.

Fig. 1 The field of temperatures in an idealized model of foundation (ANSYS FLUENT): a) winter period with Tp=20 0C ,
T0=0 0C ; b) summer period with Tp=20 0C , T0=30 0C

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8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL POWER ENGINEERING

April 14-15, 2011 - Bacau, ROMANIA

2. DYNAMICS OF THE TEMPERATURES GRADIENT IN THE GROUND

We present the results of a study with finite difference method using Matlab, of the way in which is
transmited the variation of the temperature from the surface of the ground into the depth over an entire year. [13]
It should be said that in the study is simulated only conduction, so boundary conditions are put directly by
applying for a surface temperature (it do not take into account convection, radiation at the surface of the soil).
The code of processing the finite difference equations is based on a chosen error threshold at which relates
the function studied (in our case (y, )) in the sense that if at the step "i" is fulfilled the inequality
(1)
then the process of iterations is stopping and i becomes the critical step of convergence
In our case we have Fourier one-dimensional unsteady heat transfer equation discretized:
(2)
with the Fourier number
satisfying the Neumann criterion of stability of the solution; ,
being the time step respectively space step of discretization by nodes u respectively j.
the outside temperature as having sinusoidal variations (with seasonal averaged and daily averaged
temperature amplitude of variation) around average temperature of the year to define the boundary condition at
the surface of the soil:
(3)
A numeric example could be
,
,
(if it is not taken into account daily variation),
days and
days (evaluated moment for the minimum temperature that is reached in the year
(January, 15th)) - so is enforced a symmetrization to fit the seasonal evolution in the simplified form of
sinusoidal variation. [7], [12]
The best way of simulation is to use the measurements data from the Meteorological Institute (that include
daily average temperatures of the year, or for greater accuracy hourly variations) from a specific location and
period (Bucharest, 2010) and insert directly tabulated discrete values of temperature in the input of the code [5].
We present in Fig. 2 the results of simulation with a Matlab code. Beginning at the surface of the soil with a
random amplitude variation over the year, it propagates in soil suffering a damping with the depths.

Fig. 2 Graphs of simulation of the external temperature oscillation transmitted in soil at several depths

It is found that from about the depth of 10 m temperature not vary significantly. From the run model, the
temperature at depths over 10 m have amplitudes of variation of less than 1 0C in the condition in which surface
soil temperature amplitude is 12 0C throughout the year.
If the surface temperature variation would occur with larger amplitudes than in this case, the amplitude of a
threshold of 1 0C will be reached of bigger depths than 10 m.

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8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL POWER ENGINEERING

April 14-15, 2011 - Bacau, ROMANIA

Fig. 3 Simulation in 3D of temperature variation from atmosphere transmitted in soil during the year

3. STATIC FLUX OF HEAT LOSS FROM THE BUILDING TO THE GROUND

Fig. 4 Sketch of the basic and repetitive pattern of analyzed passive house foundation

Next we analyze impact of thermal insulation of the foundation of a building in reducing the flux of heat lost .
The foundation (Fig. 4) is modeled based on the passive house project that is underway and in study by the group
of researchers from the Faculty of Energetics - University Politehnica of Bucharest. This foundation analyzed
in Ansys Fluent is a basic pattern that composes the passive house foundation, of which results offers a relevant
and conservative description as thermal point of view of the whole foundation of the building [1],[2], [3 ].
Tab. 1 Properties of base materials used in construction of foundation of the passive house
Material
Wood for parquet
Concrete
Reinforced concrete
Thermal insulation of polystyrene type 1
Thermal insulation of polystyrene type 2
Acoustic insulation
Thermal insulation of mineral wool
Gravel
Soil

Thermal Conductivity,
[W/mK]
0.200
1.100
1.740
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
1.000
2.000

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Specific Heat, cp
[J/Kg K]
2000
1000
1000
1300
1300
1300
840
920
1250

Density,
[Kg/m3]
600
2400
2400
20
30
40
40
2400
1600

8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL POWER ENGINEERING

April 14-15, 2011 - Bacau, ROMANIA

In figure 5.a) is presented the temperature field in the foundation that distributes in series of isotherms. Those
isotherms are closing basically in areas of significant variation of temperature gradient as could be the transition
through a surface that separate materials with very different heat conduction properties.

Fig. 5 Representation of the thermal field from the foundation: a) thermal field of isotherms; b) thermal field of isotherms and the fluxes of
heat loss

In fig. 5.b) is represented the vectorial distribution of temperature gradient and also of the static heat flux
(derived from the temperature gradient with which is proportional numerically, and parallel as vector in the
propagation direction) through the foundation.
The heat fluxes through the foundation and soil get stabilization on the curves that will tend to avoid low
thermal conductivity materials, seeking to short-cut through the areas of material with good thermal conductivity.
It can be seen how the legs of foundation that delimit it on the edges, are well insulated and lengthen the flux
path of heat loss that avoid them, so the interaction with the outer surface of the soil become diminished and less
direct. The flux of heat loss because of geometry of the insulated foundation is directed to within the earth where
is absorbed more slowly, thus determining the potential of static temperatures that is placed immediately below
the foundation to be at higher values. That will reduce the flow of heat loss itself.
Thus, it is revealed how much the geometry of foundation correlated with thermal insulation in key areas
could influence in reducing heat losses.
Total flux through the upper surface of the floor can be determined by integrating on the surface
(4)
or can be expressed by a discrete sum of fluxes of each dividing finite element k with surfaces

. [1], [6], [13]

(5)

Ansys Fluent can obtain directly the total heat flux of the surface S from the top of the floor.
The analyzed foundation of the house includes both inner and outer insulation. To obtain quantitatively the
beneficial impact that brings the insulation of foundation, there have been done four thermal analysis:
Thermal analysis of the foundation including interior and exterior thermal insulation, the design standard
has been provided (Fig. 6.a)
Thermal analysis of the foundation including only the interior thermal insulation, the outer being
excluded (its volume is regarded as occupied by soil) (Fig. 6.b)
Thermal analysis of the foundation including only the outer thermal insulation, the inner one being
excluded (its volume is regarded as occupied by concrete) (Fig. 6.c)
Thermal analysis of the foundation without both outer and inner thermal insulation (their volumes being
regarded as occupied by soil and concrete respectively) (Fig. 6.d)
The images below shows the fluxes of heat loss through the upper surface of the floor in the four ways
explained above, in a unit lenght area of 5 m2. Floor upper area is considered having a temperature of 20 0C and
outer surface of the soil 0 0C.

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8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL POWER ENGINEERING

April 14-15, 2011 - Bacau, ROMANIA

Fig. 6 Fluxes of heat loss through the top surface of the floor in 4 ways of thermal insulation used: a) inner + outer
insulation; b) inner insulation; c) Outer insulation; d) lack of thermal insulation

In tabel 2 the results show the clear impact that thermal insulation of foundation brings in reducing heat loss.
Tab. 2 Heat losses compared for the four ways of thermal insulation in the model

Flux of heat losses on unit

surface of floor [W/m2]
Heat losses relative to
complete thermal
insulation solution

Complete thermal
insulation,
inner+outer
2.41
1

Thermal insulation,
inner only

Thermal insulation,
outer only

No thermal
insulation

3.60

4.09

8.81

1.50
(+50%)

1.70
(+70%)

3.66
(+266%)

An overview of the results indicate that solution of inner thermal insulation in tandem with the outer is better
to be used, especially when we talk about a passive house.However, in case of ordinary buildings must be
provided at least the solution of inner thermal insulation for the foundation because it is advantageous in terms of
price and in terms of easy to install.

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8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL POWER ENGINEERING

April 14-15, 2011 - Bacau, ROMANIA

4. CONCLUSIONS
From the performed analysis and simulations are drawn the following conclusions:
At the depth of about 10 m below ground, temperature variation is insignificant (less than 1 0C amplitude)
in conditions of temperature variations at the soil surface with average amplitude of 12 0C. At depths
over 10 m can be considered that the soil temperature is approximately the average temperature
throughout the year.
Geometry of foundation significantly influences the temperature field, so that the legs of foundation if are
well-insulated, will lengthen flux path of heat loss through the free surface. This causes a reduction in
the interaction with the outer surface of the soil and increase of static potential of temperatures just
under foundation. Those results direct in reducing heat losses.
Following the results of this thermal study of foundation, we conclude based on support of numerical
results that the thermal insulation of the building foundation is a necessity that must not be neglected.
Thus we obtained an impact of reducing the heat that thermal insulation of buildings foundation
provides, for more than 3.5 times. It requires the use of inner thermal insulation of foundation of the
building at least, being recommended to use a tandem solution of insulation (inner + outer).

NOTATIONS
[-] Fourier number
[ - ] - chosen convergence error
initial phase of oscillation of the temperature
- time, respectively the period of variation temperature wave
- instantaneus temperature, respectively the average temperature
A, A, A0 [0C] amplitude of variation of the temperature
thermal diffusivity
flux total of heat through the surface of the floor
- flux of heat through the area of finite element k from the surface S
S,
surface of the parquet from the top of the floor and surface of the finite element k

REFERENCES
[1] ANSYS, Inc - Ansys Fluent 12.0 - Theory Guide, ANSYS, Inc. Centerra Resource Park, 2009
[2] Chuangchid, P.; Krarti, Moncef - Steady-periodic three-dimensional foundation heat transfer from
refrigerated structures, J. Sol. Energy Eng. , Volume 122, Issue 2, 69, 2000, p. 9-1
[3] Chuangchid, P.; Krarti, Moncef, P. - Steady-State Component of Three-Dimensional Slab-on-Grade
Foundation Heat Transfer, J. Sol. Energy Eng., Volume 123, Issue 1, 18, 2001, p. 4-9
[4] Deru, M. ; Kirkpatrick, A.T. - Ground-Coupled Heat and Moisture Transfer from Buildings. Part 2:
Application, J. Sol. Energy Eng., Volume 124, Issue 1, 17, 2002, p. 1-5
[5] Deru, M. ; Kirkpatrick, A.T. - A Model for Ground-Coupled Heat and Moisture Transfer from
Buildings, National Renewable Energy Laboratory,Bechtel-US, 2003, p. 66-87
[6] Hagentoft, C.-E., Blomberg, Th - Heat losses to the ground from buildings, Lund-Gothenburg Group
for Computational Building Physics, 2000, p. 1-2
[7] Hillel, D. - Introduction to soil physics, Academic Press, San Diego, CA., 1982
[8] Leonachescu, N - Transferul caldurii intre constructii si sol, vol. 2, Editura Tehnica, Bucuresti, 1989
[9] Leonachescu, N. - Termotehnica, Editura Didactica si Pedagogica,Bucuresti, 1981, p.364-376
[10] Manoliu, I. Fundatii si procedee de fundare, Editura didactica si pedagogica, Bucuresti, 1983
[11] MathWorks - Using MATLAB Graphics, The MathWorks, Inc., 2001
[12] Nofziger, D.L.; Wu, J. - Soil Temperature Variations With Time and Depth, Department of Plant and
Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, 2005, p.1-2
[13] Stieldorf, K.; Wu, J. - Heat losses from large buildings through the ground, Tagungsband "Building
Physics Symposium 1995, Budapest

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