ThermoSim

Provides a novel way to experience the effects of dynamic heat flow within a multi layer slab. As a JAVA applet it is free and easy to use. The main features are

interactive visualization of dynamical temperature changes in structured walls, and
comparison of different simulation algorithms.

Different wall structures, material parameters, and simulation algorithms can be selected directly on the screen. Its purpose is to give students in engineering and architecture a first feel in the analysis of heat flow processes in buildings.

Keywords

dynamic heat transfer, wall systems, simulation algorithms, interactive simulation, Java

Validation/Testing

N/A

Expertise Required

None, but a basic understanding of heat transfer and numerical analysis is helpful.

Users

Unknown number of virtual users in the WWW.

Audience

Students in engineering and architecture to supplement textbooks.

Input

Wall structure, layer width, heat conductance, heat capacity, film coefficients, and the number of gridpoints can be chosen from various default settings or may be input as numerical values on the screen. A small database with the properties of building materials is included.

Output

Dynamical visualization of the temperature in the cross section of a multilayer wall.

Computer Platform

ny computer with a world-wide-web browser which supports JAVA.

Programming Language

JAVA

Strengths

High tutorial and educational value. Free and easy to use, no installation required.

Weaknesses

No whole building simulation, no commercial use.

Contact

Company:	Universit�t Erlangen-N�rnberg
Address:	Lehrstuhl f�r Nachrichtentechnik Cauerstra�e 7/NT Erlangen D-91058 Germany
Telephone:	+49 9131 85 8717
Facsimile:	+49 9131 85 8849
E-mail:	rabe@nt.e-technik.uni-erlangen.de
Website:	http://www.nt.e-technik.uni-erlangen.de/~rabe/Thermosim/Thermosim.html

Availability

Available through the above web site.