A new test cell for the evaluation of thermo-physical performance of facades building components

Abstract

How do the new building façade components work under real climatic conditions? The question is especially related to the dynamic behaviour of new and complex components such as the ventilated walls, the Phase Change Material, or others that use nano-technologies and aerogels. One of the objectives of the undergoing research activity, named Abitare Mediterraneo, is the evaluation of their thermal behaviour through the use of an outdoor test cell, in order to reproduce under the real external conditions the performance of these components, and consequently define the main thermal parameters such as the attenuation factor and the thermal inertia, characterising the component; moreover, the results will be used to write new algorithms for dynamic simulation tools allowing an appropriate evaluation of the complex behaviour of the whole building at a real scale condition. The new test cell is realised in Florence, Italy. The design starts from the study of the experience of the existing PASSYS test cells, overtaking the main weakness of the building structure and of the heat-flux sensors.

Keywords:

• test cell
• dynamic performance of façade building components
• Mediterranean climate
• heat-flux sensors

Acknowledgements

The project of the test cell and the study related to the state of the art of outdoor test rooms in Europe has been conducted during the G. Alcamo's PhD under the supervision of Dott. H. Bloem, Prof. S. Secchi and Prof. M. Sala. Moreover, the authors thank all colleagues for the support in drawings and renderings in particular to A. Di Zenzo, M. Villalta Begazo, S. Murgia, R. Romano. The study on Heat-Flux sensors have been done by Prof. M. De Lucia, Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Florence, with the support of G. Pierucci and E. Marmonti.

The Test cell is realised with the financial support of the Tuscany Region under the project ABITARE MEDITERRANEO – POR-CREO 2007–2013. More details on the project are available at the following website: www.abitaremediterraneo.eu.