Engineering Reference — EnergyPlus 9.0

<< Prev | Table of Contents | Next >>

Engineering Reference

Window Heat Balance Calculation[LINK]

C++ Variables used in Window Heat Balance Calculations
Mathematical variable Description Units C++ variable
N Number of glass layers - nlayer
α Stefan-Boltzmann constant sigma
εi Emissivity of face i - emis
ki Conductance of glass layer i W/m2-K scon
ho, hi Outside, inside air film convective conductance W/m2-K hcout, hcout
hi Conductance of gap j W/m2-K hgap
To, Ti Outdoor and indoor air temperatures K tout, tin
Eo, Ei Exterior, interior long-wave radiation incident on window W/m2 outir, rmir
θi Temperature of face i K thetas
Si Radiation (short-wave, and long-wave from zone internal sources) absorbed by face i W/m2 AbsRadGlassFace
Iextbm Exterior beam normal solar irradiance W/m2 BeamSolarRad
Iextdif Exterior diffuse solar irradiance on glazing W/m2 -
Iintsw Interior short-wave radiation (from lights and from reflected diffuse solar) incident on glazing from inside W/m2 QS
Iintlw Long-wave radiation from lights and equipment incident on glazing from inside W/m2 QL
φ Angle of incidence radians -
Afj Front beam solar absorptance of glass layer j - -
Af,diffj, Ab,diffj Front and back diffuse solar absorptance of glass layer j - AbsDiff, AbsDiffBack
A, B Matrices used to solve glazing heat balance equations W/m2, W/m2-K Aface, Bface
hr,i Radiative conductance for face i W/m2-K hr(i)
Δθi Difference in temperature of face i between successive iterations K -

The Glazing Heat Balance Equations[LINK]

The window glass face temperatures are determined by solving the heat balance equations on each face every time step. For a window with N glass layers there are 2N faces and therefore 2N equations to solve. Figure [fig:glazing-system-with-two-glass-layers-showing] shows the variables used for double glazing (N = 2).

Glazing system with two glass layers showing variables used in heat balance equations. [fig:glazing-system-with-two-glass-layers-showing]

The following assumptions are made in deriving the heat balance equations:

1) The glass layers are thin enough (a few millimeters) that heat storage in the glass can be neglected; therefore, there are no heat capacity terms in the equations.

2) The heat flow is perpendicular to the glass faces and is one dimensional. See “Edge of Glass Corrections,” below, for adjustments to the gap conduction in multi-pane glazing to account for 2-D conduction effects across the pane separators at the boundaries of the glazing.

3) The glass layers are opaque to IR. This is true for most glass products. For thin plastic suspended films this is not a good assumption, so the heat balance equations would have to be modified to handle this case.

4) The glass faces are isothermal. This is generally a good assumption since glass conductivity is very high.

5) The short wave radiation absorbed in a glass layer can be apportioned equally to the two faces of the layer.

The four equations for double-glazing are as follows. The equations for single glazing (N = 1) and for N = 3 and N = 4 are analogous and are not shown.

Eoε1ε1σθ41+k1(θ2θ1)+ho(Toθ1)+S1=0

k1(θ1θ2)+h1(θ3θ2)+σε2ε31(1ε2)(1ε3)(θ43θ42)+S2=0

h1(θ2θ3)+k2(θ4θ3)+σε2ε31(1ε2)(1ε3)(θ42θ43)+S3=0

Eiε4ε4σθ44+k2(θ3θ4)+hi(Tiθ4)+S4=0

Absorbed Radiation[LINK]

Si in Equations [eq:GlazingFace1HeatBalEquation] to [eq:GlazingFace4HeatBalEquation] is the radiation (short-wave and long-wave from zone lights and equipment) absorbed on the ith face. Short-wave radiation (solar and short-wave from lights) is assumed to be absorbed uniformly along a glass layer, so for the purposes of the heat balance calculation it is split equally between the two faces of a layer. Glass layers are assumed to be opaque to IR so that the thermal radiation from lights and equipment is assigned only to the inside (room-side) face of the inside glass layer. For N glass layers Si is given by

S2j1=S2j=12(IextbmcosϕAfj(ϕ)+IextdifAf,difj+IintswAb,difj), j=1 to N

S2N=S2N+ε2NIintlw

Here

Iextbm = exterior beam normal solar irradiance

Iextdif = exterior diffuse solar incident on glazing from outside

Iintsw = interior short-wave radiation (from lights and from reflected diffuse solar) incident on glazing from inside

Iintlw = long-wave radiation from lights and equipment incident on glazing from inside

ε2N = emissivity (thermal absorptance) of the room-side face of the inside glass layer

Room-Side Convection[LINK]

The correlation for room-side convection coefficient, hi , is from ISO 15099 section 8.3.2.2. (Prior to EnergyPlus version 3.1, the value for hi was modeled using the “Detailed” algorithm for opaque surface heat transfer, e.g. for a vertical surface hi=1.31|ΔT|1/133 ; see section Detailed Natural Convection Algorithm). The ISO 15099 correlation is for still room air and is determined in terms of the Nusselt number, Nu, is:

hi=Nu(λH)

where

λ is the thermal conductivity of air, and

H is the height of the window.

The Rayleigh number based on height, RaH , is calculated using:

RaH=ρ2H3gcpTsurf,iTairTm,fμλ

where

ρ is the density of air

g is the acceleration due to gravity,

cp is the specific heat of air,

μ is the dynamic viscosity of air, and

Tm,f is the mean film temperature in Kelvin given by,

Tm,f=Tair+14(Tsurf,iTair)

There are four cases for the Nusselt correlation that vary by the tilt angle in degrees, γ, and are based on heating conditions. For cooling conditions (where Tsurf,i>Tair), the tilt angle is complemented so that γ=180γ.

Case A. 0γ<15

Nu=0.13Ra1/133H

Case B. 15γ90

Racv=2.5×105(e0.72γsinλ)1/155

Nu=0.56(RaHsinγ)1/144;forRaHRaCV

Nu=0.13(Ra1/133HRa1/133CV)+0.56(RaCVsinγ)1/144;RaH>RaCV

Case C. 90<γ179

Nu=0.56(RaHsinγ)1/144;105RaHsinγ<1011

Case D. 179<γ180

Nu=0.58Ra1/155H;RaH1011

The material properties are evaluated at the mean film temperature. Standard EnergyPlus pyschrometric functions are used for ρ and cp. Thermal conductivity is calculated using:

λ=2.873×103+7.76×105Tm,f

Kinematic viscosity is calculated using:

μ=3.723×106+4.94×108Tm,f

This correlation depends on the surface temperature of the room-side glazing surface and is therefore included inside the window heat balance interation loop.

Solving the Glazing Heat Balance Equations[LINK]

The equations are solved as follows:

1) Linearize the equations by defining hr,i=εiσθ3i . For example, Equation [eq:GlazingFace1HeatBalEquation] becomes

Eoε1hr,1θ1+k1(θ2θ1)+ho(Toθ1)+S1=0

2) Write the equations in the matrix form Aθ=B

3) Use previous time step’s values of θi as initial values for the current time step. For the first time step of a design day or run period the initial values are estimated by treating the layers as a simple RC network.

4) Save the θi for use in the next iteration: θprev,i=θi

5) Using θ2N, reevaluate the room-side face surface convection coefficient hi

6) Using the θi to evaluate the radiative conductances hr,i

7) Find the solution θ=A1B by LU decomposition

8) Perform relaxation on the the new θi : θi(θi+θprev,i)/2

9) Go to step 4

Repeat steps 4 to 9 until the difference, Δθi, between values of the θi in successive iterations is less than some tolerance value. Currently, the test is:

12N2Ni=1|Δθi|<0.02K

If this test does not pass after 100 iterations, the tolerance is increased to 0.2K. If the test still fails the program stops and an error message is issued.

The value of the inside face temperature, θ2N, determined in this way participates in the zone heat balance solution (see Outdoor/Exterior Convection) and thermal comfort calculation (see Occupant Thermal Comfort).

Edge-Of-Glass Effects[LINK]

C++ Variables used in Edge of Glass calculations
Mathematical variable Description Units C++ variable
¯¯¯h Area-weighted net conductance of glazing including edge-of-glass effects W/m2-K -
Acg Area of center-of-glass region m2 CenterGlArea
Afe Area of frame edge region m2 FrameEdgeArea
Ade Area of divider edge region m2 DividerEdgeArea
Atot Total glazing area m2 Surface%Area
hcg Conductance of center-of-glass region (without air films) W/m2-K -
hfe Conductance of frame edge region (without air films) W/m2-K -
hde Conductance of divider edge region (without air films) W/m2-K -
hck Convective conductance of gap k W/m2-K -
hrk Radiative conductance of gap k W/m2-K -
η Area ratio - -
α Conductance ratio - FrEdgeToCenterGlCondRatio, DivEdgeToCenterGlCondRatio

Because of thermal bridging across the spacer separating the glass layers in multi-pane glazing, the conductance of the glazing near the frame and divider, where the spacers are located, is higher than it is in the center of the glass. The area-weighted net conductance (without inside and outside air films) of the glazing in this case can be written

¯¯¯h=(Acghcg+Afehfe+Adehde)/Atot

where

hcg = conductance of center-of-glass region (without air films)

hfe = conductance of frame edge region (without air films)

hde = conductance of divider edge region (without air films)

Acg = area of center-of-glass region

Afe = area of frame edge region

Ade = area of divider edge region

Atot = total glazing area = Acg+Afe+Ade

The different regions are shown in Figure [fig:different-types-of-glass-regions.]:

Different types of glass regions. [fig:different-types-of-glass-regions.]

Equation [eq:AreaWeightedNetConductance] can be rewritten as:

¯¯¯h=hcg(ηcg+αfeηfe+αdeηde)

where

ηcg=Acg/Atot

ηfe=Afe/Atot

ηde=Ade/Atot

αfe=hfe/hcg

αde=hde/hcg

The conductance ratios αfe and αde are user inputs obtained from Window 5. They depend on the glazing construction as well as the spacer type, gap width, and frame and divider type.

In the EnergyPlus glazing heat balance calculation effective gap convective conductances are used to account for the edge-of-glass effects. These effective conductances are determined as follows for the case with two gaps (triple glazing). The approach for other numbers of gaps is analogous.

Neglecting the very small resistance of the glass layers, the center-of-glass conductance (without inside and outside air films) can be written as:

hcg=((hr,1+hc,1)1+(hr,2+hc,2)1)1

where

hc,k = convective conductance of the kh gap

hr,k = radiative conductance of the kh gap or:

hr,k=12σεiεj1(1εi)(1εj)(θi+θj)3

εi, εj = emissivity of the faces bounding the gap

θi, θj = temperature of faces bounding the gap (K)

Equation [eq:HbarConductanceEquation] then becomes:

¯¯¯h=(ηcg+αfeηfe+αdeηde)((hr,1+hc,1)1+(hr,2+hc,2)1)1

We can also write ¯¯¯h in terms of effective convective conductances of the gaps as:

¯¯¯h=((hr,1+¯¯¯hc,1)1+(hr,2+¯¯¯hc,2)1)1

Comparing Equations [eq:HbarwithetaalphaEquation] and [eq:HbarwithhrandhcEquation], we obtain:

hr,k+¯¯¯hc,k=(ηcg+αfeηfe+αdeηde)(hr,k+hc,k)

Using ηcg=1ηfeηde gives:

¯¯¯hc,k=hr,k(ηfe(αfe1)+ηde(αde1))+hc,k(1+ηfe(αfe1)+ηde(αde1))

This is the expression used by EnergyPlus for the gap convective conductance when a frame or divider is present.

Apportioning of Absorbed Short-Wave Radiation in Shading Device Layers[LINK]

If a shading device has a non-zero short-wave transmittance then absorption takes place throughout the shading device layer. The following algorithm is used to apportion the absorbed short-wave radiation to the two faces of the layer. Here f1 is the fraction assigned to the face closest to the incident radiation and f2 is the fraction assigned to the face furthest from the incident radiation.

f1=1, f2=0 if τsh=0

Otherwise:

f1=0,f2=0if~αsh0.01f1=1,f2=0if~αsh>0.999f1=1e0.5ln(1αsh)αshf2=1f1}if~0.01<αsh0.999

Window Frame and Divider Calculation[LINK]

For the zone heat balance calculation the inside surface temperature of the frame and that of the divider are needed. These temperatures are determined by solving the heat balance equations on the inside and outside surfaces of the frame and divider.

C++ Variables used in Window/Frame and Divider calculations
Mathematical variable Description Units C++ variable
QExtIR,abs IR from the exterior surround absorbed by outside frame surfaces W -
QIR,emitted IR emitted by outside frame surfaces W -
Qconv Convection from outside air to outside frame surfaces W -
Qcond Conduction through frame from inside frame surfaces to outside frame surfaces W -
Qabs Solar radiation plus outside glass IR absorbed by outside of frame W -
Qdifabs,sol Diffuse solar absorbed by outside frame surfaces, per unit frame face area W/m2 -
Qbmabs,sol Beam solar absorbed by outside frame surfaces, per unit frame face area W/m2 -
Idifext Diffuse solar incident on window W/m2 -
Ibmext Direct normal solar irradiance W/m2 -
αfrsol Solar absorptance of frame - FrameSolAbsorp
Rf,difgl Front diffuse solar reflectance of glazing -
Rf,bmgl Front beam solar reflectance of glazing -
cos(βface) Cosine of angle of incidence of beam solar on frame outside face CosIncAng
cos(βh) Cosine of angle of incidence of beam solar on frame projection parallel to window x-axis - CosIncAngHorProj
cos(βv) Cosine of angle of incidence of beam solar on frame projection parallel to window y-axis - CosIncAngVertProj
fsunlight Fraction of window that is sunlit - SunlitFrac
Af Area of frame’s outside face (same as area of frame’s inside face) m2 -
Ap1, Ap2 Area of frame’s outside and inside projection faces m2 -
Ff Form factor of frame’s outside or inside face for IR - -
Fp1, Fp2 Form factor of frame outside projection for exterior IR; form factor of frame inside projection for interior IR - -
Eo Exterior IR incident on window plane W/m2 outir
Ei Interior IR incident on window plane W/m2 SurroundIRfromParentZone
ε1, ε2 Outside, inside frame surface emissivity - FrameEmis
θ1, θ2 Frame outside, inside surface temperature K FrameTempSurfOut, FrameTempSurfIn
To, Ti Outdoor and indoor air temperatures K tout, tin
ho,c, hi,c Frame outside and inside air film convective conductance W/m2-K HOutConv, HInConv
k Effective inside-surface to outside-surface conductance of frame per unit area of frame projected onto window plane W/m2-K FrameConductance, FrameCon
S1 Qabs/Af W/m2-K FrameQRadOutAbs
S2 Interior short-wave radiation plus interior IR from internal sources absorbed by inside of frame divided by Af W/m2-K FrameQRadInAbs
η1, η2 Ap1/Af, Ap2/Af - -
H Height of glazed portion of window m Surface%Height
W Width of glazed portion of window m Surface%Width
wf, wd Frame width, divider width m FrameWidth, DividerWidth
pf1, pf2 Frame outside, inside projection m FrameProjectionOut, FrameProjectionIn
Nh, Nv Number of horizontal, vertical dividers - HorDividers, VertDividers
To,r, Ti,r Frame outside, inside radiative temperature K TOutRadFr, TInRadFr
ho,r, hi,r Frame outside, inside surface radiative conductance W/m2-K HOutRad, HInRad
A Intermediate variable in frame heat balance solution K Afac
C Intermediate variable in frame heat balance solution - Efac
B, D Intermediate variables in frame heat balance solution - Bfac, Dfac

Frame Temperature Calculation[LINK]

Figure [fig:cross-section-through-a-window-showing-frame] shows a cross section through a window showing frame and divider. The outside and inside frame and divider surfaces are assumed to be isothermal. The frame and divider profiles are approximated as rectangular since this simplifies calculating heat gains and losses (see “Error Due to Assuming a Rectangular Profile,” below).

Cross section through a window showing frame and divider (exaggerated horizontally). [fig:cross-section-through-a-window-showing-frame]

Frame Outside Surface Heat Balance[LINK]

The outside surface heat balance equation is:

QExtIR,absQIR,emitted+Qconv+Qcond+Qabs=0

where

QExtIR,abs = IR from the exterior surround (sky and ground) absorbed by outside frame surfaces

QIR,emitted = IR emitted by outside frame surfaces

Qconv = convection from outside air to outside frame surfaces

Qcond = conduction through frame from inside frame surfaces to outside frame surfaces

Qabs = solar radiation (from sun, sky and ground) plus IR from outside window surface absorbed by outside frame surfaces (see “Calculation of Absorbed Solar Radiation,” below).

The first term can be written as the sum of the exterior IR absorbed by the outside face of the frame and the exterior IR absorbed by the frame’s outside projection surfaces.

QExtIR,abs=ε1EoAfFf+ε1EoAp1Fp1

where ε1 is the outside surface emissivity.

The exterior IR incident on the plane of the window, Eo, is the sum of the IR from the sky, ground and obstructions. For the purposes of the frame heat balance calculation it is assumed to be isotropic. For isotropic incident IR, Ff = 1.0 and Fp1 = 0.5, which gives:

QExtIR,abs=ε1Eo(Af+12Ap1)

The IR emitted by the outside frame surfaces is:

QExtIR,emitted=ε1σ(Af+Ap1)θ41

The convective heat flow from the outside air to the outside frame surfaces is:

Qconv=ho,c(Af+Ap1)(Toθ1)

The conduction through the frame from inside to outside is:

Qcond=kAf(θ2θ1)

Note that Af is used here since the conductance, k, is, by definition, per unit area of frame projected onto the plane of the window.

Adding these expressions for the Q terms and dividing by Af gives:

E0ε1(1+12η1)ε1(1+η1)θ41+ho,c(1+η1)(T0θ1)+k(θ2θ1)+S1=0

where S1 = Qabs/Af and

η1=Ap1Af=(pf,1wf)H+W(Nh+Nv)wdH+W+2wf

We linearize Equation [eq:E0epsilon1Equation] as follows. Write the first two terms as:

ε1(1+η1)[Eo(1+12η1)/(1+η1)θ41]

and define a radiative temperature:

To,r=[Eo(1+12η1)/(1+η1)]1/4

This gives:

ε1(1+η1)[T4o,rθ41]

which, within a few percent, equals:

ε1(1+η1)(To,r+θ1)32(To,rθ1)

Defining an outside surface radiative conductance as follows:

ho,r=ε1(1+η1)(To,r+θ1)32

then gives:

ho,r(To,rθ1)

The final outside surface heat balance equation in linearized form is then:

ho,r(To,rθ1)+ho,c(1+η1)(Toθ1)+k(θ2θ1)+S1=0

Frame Inside Surface Heat Balance[LINK]

A similar approach can be used to obtain the following linearized inside surface heat balance equation:

hi,r(Ti,rθ2)+hi,c(1+η2)(Tiθ2)+k(θ1θ2)+S2=0

where

Ti,r=[Ei(1+12η2)/(1+η2)]1/4

η2=Ap2Af=(pf,2wf)H+W(Nh+Nv)wdH+W+2wf

and Ei is the interior IR irradiance incident on the plane of the window.

Solving Equations [eq:horEquation] and [eq:hirEquation] simultaneously gives:

θ2=D+CA1CB

with

A=ho,rTo,r+ho,cTo+S1ho,r+k+ho,c

B=kho,r+k+ho,c

C=khi,r+k+hi,c

D=hi,rTi,r+hi,cTi+S2hi,r+k+hi,c

Calculation of Solar Radiation Absorbed by Frame[LINK]

The frame outside face and outside projections and inside projections absorb beam solar radiation (if sunlight is striking the window) and diffuse solar radiation from the sky and ground. For the outside surfaces of the frame, the absorbed diffuse solar per unit frame face area is:

Qdifabs,sol=Idifextαfr,sol(Af+Fp1Ap1)/Af=Idifextαfr,sol(1+0.5Ap1Af)

If there is no exterior window shade, Idifext includes the effect of diffuse solar reflecting off of the glazing onto the outside frame projection, i.e.,

IdifextIdifext(1+Rf,difgl)

The beam solar absorbed by the outside face of the frame, per unit frame face area is:

Qbm,faceabs,sol=Ibmextαfr,solcosβfacefsunlit

The beam solar absorbed by the frame outside projection parallel to the window x-axis is:

Qbm,habs,sol=Ibmextαfr,solcosβhpf1(WNvwd)fsunlit/Af

Here it is assumed that the sunlit fraction, fsunlit, for the window can be applied to the window frame. Note that at any given time beam solar can strike only one of the two projection surfaces that are parallel to the window x-axis. If there is no exterior window shade, Ibmext includes the effect of beam solar reflecting off of the glazing onto the outside frame projection, i.e.,

IbmextIbmext(1+Rf,bmgl)

The beam solar absorbed by the frame outside projection parallel to the window y-axis is:

Qbm,vabs,sol=Ibmextαfr,solcosβvpf1(HNhwd)fsunlit/Af

Using a similar approach, the beam and diffuse solar absorbed by the inside frame projections is calculated, taking the transmittance of the glazing into account.

Error Due to Assuming a Rectangular Profile[LINK]

Assuming that the inside and outside frame profile is rectangular introduces an error in the surface heat transfer calculation if the profile is non-rectangular. The percent error in the calculation of convection and emitted IR is approximately 100Lprofile,rectLprofile,actual/Lprofile,rect, where Lprofile,rect is the profile length for a rectangular profile (wf + pf1 for outside of frame or wf + pf2 for inside of frame) and Lprofile,actual is the actual profile length. For example, for a circular profile vs a square profile the error is about 22%. The error in the calculation of absorbed beam radiation is close to zero since the beam radiation intercepted by the profile is insensitive to the shape of the profile. The error in the absorbed diffuse radiation and absorbed IR depends on details of the shape of the profile. For example, for a circular profile vs. a square profile the error is about 15%.

Divider Temperature Calculation[LINK]

The divider inside and outside surface temperatures are determined by a heat balance calculation that is analogous to the frame heat balance calculation described above.

Beam Solar Reflection from Window Reveal Surfaces[LINK]

This section describes how beam solar radiation that is reflected from window reveal surfaces is calculated. Reflection from outside reveal surfaces—which are associated with the setback of the glazing from the outside surface of the window’s parent wall—increases the solar gain through the glazing. Reflection from inside reveal surfaces—which are associated with the setback of the glazing from the inside surface of the window’s parent wall—decreases the solar gain to the zone because some of this radiation is reflected back out of the window.

The amount of beam solar reflected from reveal surfaces depends, among other things, on the extent to which reveal surfaces are shadowed by other reveal surfaces. An example of this shadowing is shown in Figure [fig:example-of-shadowing-of-reveal-surfaces-by]. In this case the sun is positioned such that the top reveal surfaces shadow the left and bottom reveal surfaces. And the right reveal surfaces shadow the bottom reveal surfaces. The result is that the left/outside, bottom/outside, left/inside and bottom/inside reveal surfaces each have sunlit areas. Note that the top and right reveal surfaces are facing away from the sun in this example so their sunlit areas are zero.

Example of shadowing of reveal surfaces by other reveal surfaces. [fig:example-of-shadowing-of-reveal-surfaces-by]

The size of the shadowed areas, and the size of the corresponding illuminated areas, depends on the following factors:

  • The sun position relative to the window

  • The height and width of the window

  • The depth of the outside and inside reveal surfaces

We will assume that the reveal surfaces are perpendicular to the window plane and that the window is rectangular. Then the above factors determine a unique shadow pattern. From the geometry of the pattern the shadowed areas and corresponding illuminated areas can be determined. This calculation is done in subroutine CalcBeamSolarReflectedFromWinRevealSurface in the SolarShading module. The window reveal input data is specified in the WindowProperty:FrameAndDivider object expect for the depth of the outside reveal, which is determined from the vertex locations of the window and its parent wall.

If an exterior shading device (shade, screen or blind) is in place it is assumed that it blocks beam solar before it reaches outside or inside reveal surfaces. Correspondingly, it is assumed that an interior or between-glass shading device blocks beam solar before it reaches inside reveal surfaces.

Representative shadow patterns are shown in Figures [fig:expression-for-area-of-shaded-regions-part-a] and [fig:expression-for-area-of-shaded-regions-part-b] for a window with no shading device, and without and with a frame. The case with a frame has to be considered separately because the frame can cast an additional shadow on the inside reveal surfaces.

The patterns shown apply to both vertical and horizontal reveal surfaces. It is important to keep in mind that, for a window of arbitrary tilt, if the left reveal surfaces are illuminated the right surfaces will not be, and vice versa. And if the bottom reveal surfaces are illuminated the top surfaces will not be, and vice versa. (Of course, for a vertical window, the top reveal surfaces will never be illuminated by beam solar if the reveal surfaces are perpendicular to the glazing, as is being assumed.

For each shadow pattern in Figures [fig:expression-for-area-of-shaded-regions-part-a] and [fig:expression-for-area-of-shaded-regions-part-b], equations are given for the shadowed areas A1,sh and A2,sh of the outside and inside reveal surfaces, respectively. The variables in these equations are the following (see also Figure [fig:vertical-section-through-a-vertical-window]):

d1 = depth of outside reveal, measured from the outside plane of the glazing to the edge of the reveal, plus one half of the glazing thickness.

d2 = depth of inside reveal (or, for illumination on bottom reveal surfaces, inside sill depth), measured from the inside plane of the glazing to the edge of the reveal or the sill, plus one half of the glazing thickness.

L = window height for vertical reveal surfaces or window width for horizontal reveal surfaces

α = vertical solar profile angle for shadowing on vertical reveal surfaces or horizontal solar profile angle for shadowing on horizontal reveal surfaces.

p1(p2) = distance from outside (inside) surface of frame to glazing midplane.

d2 = depth of shadow cast by top reveal on bottom reveal, or by left reveal on right reveal, or by right reveal on left reveal.

d2 = depth of shadow cast by frame.

For simplicity it is assumed that, for the case without a frame, the shadowed and illuminated areas extend into the glazing region. For this reason, d1 and d2 are measured from the midplane of the glazing. For the case with a frame, the beam solar absorbed by the surfaces formed by the frame outside and inside projections perpendicular to the glazing is calculated as described in “Window Frame and Divider Calculation: Calculation of Solar Radiation Absorbed by Frame."

Expression for area of shaded regions for different shadow patterns: (a) window without frame

Expression for area of shaded regions for different shadow patterns: (b) window with frame

Vertical section through a vertical window with outside and inside reveal showing calculation of the shadows cast by the top reveal onto the inside sill and by the frame onto the inside sill. [fig:vertical-section-through-a-vertical-window]

The following logic gives expressions for the shadowed areas for all possible shadow patterns. Here:

d1 = d1

d2 = d2

P1 = p1

P2 = p2

f1 = d1p1

f2 = d2p2

d2prime = d2

d2prime2 = d2

d12 = d1+d2d2

TanAlpha = tanα

A1sh = A1,sh

A2sh = A2,sh

L = L

L1 = average distance to frame of illuminated area of outside reveal (used to calculate view factor to frame).

L2 = average distance to frame of illuminated area of inside reveal (used to calculate view factor to frame).

IF(window does not have a frame) THEN
     IF(d2prime < = d2) THEN
    IF(d12*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
      A1sh = 0.5*TanAlpha*d1**2
      A2sh = d2prime*L + 0.5*TanAlpha*d12**2 - A1sh
    ELSE  ! d12*TanAlpha > L
      IF(d1*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
        A1sh = 0.5*TanAlpha*d1**2
        A2sh = d2*L - 0.5*TanAlpha*(L/TanAlpha - d1)**2
      ELSE  ! d1*TanAlpha > L
        A1sh = d1*L - (0.5/TanAlpha)*L**2
        A2sh = d2*L
      END IF
    END IF
  ELSE  ! d2prime > d2
    A2sh = d2*L
    IF(d2prime < d1+d2) THEN
      IF(d12*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
        A1sh = L*(d2prime-d2) + 0.5*TanAlpha*d12**2
      ELSE  ! d12*TanAlpha > L
        A1sh = d1*L - 0.5*L**2/TanAlpha
      END IF
    ELSE  ! d2prime > = d1+d2
      A1sh = d1*L
    END IF
  END IF
ELSE  ! Window has a frame
 f1 = d1-P1
 f2 = d2-P2
 d2prime2 = FrameWidth/TanGamma
 IF(vertical reveal) THEN  ! Vertical reveal
   IF(InsReveal+0.5*GlazingThickness < = P2) d2 = P2 + 0.001
 ELSE                      ! Horizontal
   IF(bottom reveal surfaces may be illuminated) THEN
     ! Bottom reveal surfaces may be illuminated
     IF(InsSillDepth+0.5*GlazingThickness< = P2) d2 = P2 + 0.001
   ELSE
     ! Top reveal surfaces may be illuminated
     IF(InsReveal+0.5*GlazingThickness < = P2) d2 = P2 + 0.001
   END IF
 END IF
 IF(d2prime < = f2) THEN
   ! Shadow from opposing reveal does not go beyond inside
    !  surface of frame
   IF(d12*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
     A1sh = 0.5*TanAlpha*f1**2
     L1   = f1*(f1*TanAlpha/(6*L)+0.5)
     IF(d2-(d2prime+d2prime2+P2) > = 0.) THEN
       A2sh = (d2prime+d2prime2)*L + &
         0.5*TanAlpha*((d1+d2-d2prime)**2-d1+p2+d2prime2)**2)
       L2   = d2prime2 + 0.5*(d2-(d2prime+d2prime2+P2))
     ELSE  ! d2-(d2prime+d2prime2+P2) < 0.
       ! Inside reveal is fully shadowed by frame and/or
        !opposing reveal
       A2sh = f2*L
       L2   = f2
     END IF
   ELSE  ! d12*TanAlpha > = L
     IF((d1+P2)*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
       A1sh = 0.5*TanAlpha*f1**2
       L1 = f1*((f1*TanAlpha)/(6*L) + 0.5)
       IF((d1+P2+d2prime2)*TanAlpha > = L) THEN
         A2sh = f2*L
         L2   = f2
       ELSE  ! (d1+P2+d2prime2)*TanAlpha < L
         A2sh = f2*L - 0.5*(L-(d1+P2)*TanAlpha)**2/TanAlpha &
            + d2prime2*(L-(d1+P2+d2prime2/2)*TanAlpha)
         L2 = d2prime2 + (L/TanAlpha - (d1+P2+d2prime2))/3
       END IF
     ELSE  ! (d1+P2)*TanAlpha > L
       L2 = f2
       A2sh = f2*L
       IF(f1*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
         A1sh = 0.5*TanAlpha*f1**2
         L1 = f1*((f1*TanAlpha)/(6*L) + 0.5)
       ELSE  ! f1*TanAlpha > L
         A1sh = f1*L - 0.5*L**2/TanAlpha
         L1 = f1-(L/TanAlpha)/3
       END IF
     END IF
   END IF
 ELSE
    ! d2prime > f2 -- Shadow from opposing reveal goes beyond
    ! inside of frame
   A2sh = f2*L
   L2 = f2
   IF(d2prime > = d1+d2) THEN
     A1sh = 0.0
     L1   = f1
   ELSE  ! d2prime < d1+d2
     IF(d2prime < = d2+P1) THEN
       IF(f1*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
         A1sh = 0.5*TanAlpha*f1**2
         L1 = f1*((f1*TanAlpha)/(6*L) + 0.5)
       ELSE  ! f1*TanAlpha > L
         A1sh = f1*L - 0.5*L**2/TanAlpha
             L1   = f1 - (L/TanAlpha)/3
           END IF
         ELSE  ! d2prime > d2+P1
           IF(d12*TanAlpha < = L) THEN
             A1sh = L*(d2prime-(d2+P1)) + 0.5*TanAlpha*d12**2
             L1   = (L*(f1-d12/2)-d12*TanAlpha* &
                (f1/2-d12/3))/(L-d12*TanAlpha/2)
           ELSE  ! d12*TanAlpha > L
             A1sh = f1*L - 0.5*L**2/TanAlpha
             L1   = f1 - (L/TanAlpha)/3
           END IF
         END IF
       END IF
     END IF
     FracToGlassOuts = 0.5*(1.0 - ATAN(FrameWidth/L1)/PiOvr2)
     FracToGlassIns  = 0.5*(1.0 - ATAN(FrameWidth/L2)/PiOvr2)
   END IF  ! End of check if window has frame

The beam solar reflected from a sunlit region of area A is given by:

R=IBAcosβ(1a)

where

R = reflected solar radiation [W]

IB = beam normal irradiance [W/m2]

A = sunlit area [m2]

β = beam solar angle of incidence on reveal surface

a = solar absorptance of reveal surface

All reflected radiation is assumed to be isotropic diffuse. For outside reveal surfaces it is assumed that R/2 goes toward the window and R/2 goes to the exterior environment. Of the portion that goes toward the window a fraction F1 goes toward the frame, if present, and 1F1 goes toward the glazing.

The view factor F1 to the frame calculated by assuming that the illuminated area can be considered to be a line source. Then the area-weighted average distance, L1, of the source to the frame is calculated from the shape of the illuminated area (see above psuedo-code). Then F1 is related as follows to the average angle subtended by the frame of width wf:

F1=tan1(wf/L1)π/2

For the portion going towards the frame, (R/2)F1af is absorbed by the frame (where af is the solar absorptance of the frame) and contributes to the frame heat conduction calculation. The rest, (R/2)F1(1af) , is assumed to be reflected to the exterior environment.

If the glazing has diffuse transmittance τdiff, diffuse front reflectance ρfdiff, and layer front absorptance αfl,diff, then, of the portion, (R/2)(1F1), that goes toward the glazing, (R/2)(1F1)τdiff is transmitted to the zone, (R/2)(1F1)αfl,diff is absorbed in glass layer l and contributes to the glazing heat balance calculation, and (R/2)(1F1)ρfdiff is reflected to the exterior environment.

The beam solar absorbed by an outside reveal surface is added to the other solar radiation absorbed by the outside of the window’s parent wall.

For inside reveal surfaces it is assumed that R/2 goes towards the window and R/2 goes into the zone. Of the portion that goes toward the window a fraction (R/2)F2 goes toward the frame, if present, and (R/2)(1F2) goes toward the glazing (F2 is calculated using a method analogous to that used for F1). For the portion going towards the frame, (R/2)F2af is absorbed by the frame and contributes to the frame heat conduction calculation. The rest, (R/2)F2(1af), is assumed to be reflected back into the zone.

If the glazing has diffuse back reflectance ρbdiff, and layer back absorptance αbl,diff, then, of the portion (R/2)(1F2) that goes toward the glazing, (R/2)(1F2)τdiff is transmitted back out the glazing, (R/2)(1F2)αbl,diff is absorbed in glass layer l and contributes to the glazing heat balance calculation, and (R/2)(1F2)ρbdiff is reflected into the zone.

The beam solar absorbed by an inside reveal surface is added to the other solar radiation absorbed by the inside of the window’s parent wall.

Shading Device Thermal Model[LINK]

Shading devices in EnergyPlus can be on the exterior or interior sides of the window or between glass layers. The window shading device thermal model accounts for the thermal interactions between the shading layer (shade, screen or blind) and the adjacent glass, and between the shading layer and the room (for interior shading) or the shading layer and the outside surround (for exterior shading).

An important feature of the shading device thermal model is calculating the natural convection airflow between the shading device and glass. This flow affects the temperature of the shading device and glazing and, for interior shading, is a determinant of the convective heat gain from the shading layer and glazing to the zone air. The airflow model is based on one described in the ISO Standard 15099, “Thermal Performance of Windows, Doors and Shading Devices—Detailed Calculations” [ISO15099, 2001]. (Between-glass forced airflow is also modeled; see “Airflow Windows.”)

The following effects are considered by the shading device thermal model:

  • For interior and exterior shading device: Long-wave radiation (IR) from the surround absorbed by shading device, or transmitted by the shading device and absorbed by the adjacent glass. For interior shading the surround consists of the other zone surfaces. For exterior shading the surround is the sky and ground plus exterior shadowing surfaces and exterior building surfaces “seen” by the window.

  • Inter-reflection of IR between the shading device and adjacent glass.

  • Direct and diffuse solar radiation absorbed by the shading device.

  • Inter-reflection of solar radiation between shading layer and glass layers.

  • Convection from shading layer and glass to the air in the gap (or, for between-glass shading, gaps) between the shading layer and adjacent glass, and convection from interior shading layer to zone air or from exterior shading layer to outside air.

  • Natural convection airflow in the gap (or, for between-glass shading, gaps) between shading layer and adjacent glass induced by buoyancy effects, and the effect of this flow on the shading-to-gap and glass-to-gap convection coefficients.

  • For interior shading, convective gain (or loss) to zone air from gap airflow.

In the following it is assumed that the shading device, when in place, covers the glazed part of the window (and dividers, if present) and is parallel to the glazing. For interior and exterior shading devices it is assumed that the shading layer is separated from the glazing by an air gap. A between-glass shading layer is assumed to be centered between two glass layers and separated from the adjacent glass layers by gaps that is filled with the same gas. If the window has a frame, it is assumed that the shading device does not cover the frame.

Heat Balance Equations for Shading Device and Adjacent Glass[LINK]

If a window shading device is deployed the heat balance equations for the glass surfaces facing the shading layer are modified, and two new equations, one for each face of the shading layer, are added. Figure [fig:glazing-system-with-two-glass-layers-and-an] illustrates the case of double glazing with an interior shading device.

Glazing system with two glass layers and an interior shading layer showing variables used in heat balance equations. [fig:glazing-system-with-two-glass-layers-and-an]

The heat balance equation for the glass surface facing the gap between glass and shading layer (called in the following, “gap”) is:

Eiε4τsh1ρ4ρsh+σε41ρ4ρsh[θ45εshθ44(1ρsh)]+k2(θ3θ4)+hcv(Tgapθ4)+S4=0

where

τsh = IR diffuse transmittance of shading device

εsh = diffuse emissivity of shading device

ρsh = IR diffuse reflectance of shading device ( = 1 - ( τsh + εsh))

θ5 = temperature of the surface of the shading layer that faces the gap (K).

The term 1 - ρ4ρsh accounts for the inter-reflection of IR radiation between glass and shading layer.

The convective heat transfer from glass layer #2 to the air in the gap is:

qc,gl=hcv(θ4Tgap)

where

Tgap = effective mean temperature of the gap air (K).

hcv = convective heat transfer coefficient from glass or shading layer to gap air (W/m2K).

The corresponding heat transfer from shading layer to gap air is:

qc,sh=hcv(θ5Tgap)

The convective heat transfer coefficient is given by:

hcv=2hc+4v

where

hc = surface-to-surface heat transfer coefficient for non-vented (closed) cavities (W/m2K)

v = mean air velocity in the gap (m/s).

The quantities hcv and Tgap depend on the airflow velocity in the gap, which in turn depends on several factors, including height of shading layer, glass/shading layer separation (gap depth), zone air temperature for interior shading or outside air temperature for exterior shading, and shading layer and glass face temperatures. The calculation of hcv and Tgap is described in the following sections.

The heat balance equation for the shading layer surface facing the gap is:

Eiτshρ4εsh1ρ4ρsh+σεsh1ρ4ρsh[ε4θ44θ45(1ρ4(εsh+ρsh))]+ksh(θ6θ5)+hcv(Tgapθ5)+Ssh,1=0

where

ksh = shading layer conductance (W/m2K).

θ6 = temperature of shading layer surface facing the zone air (K).

Ssh,l = solar radiation plus short-wave radiation from lights plus IR radiation from lights and zone equipment absorbed by the gap-side face of the shading layer (W/m2K).

The heat balance equation for the shading layer surface facing the zone air is:

Eiεshεshσθ46+ksh(θ5θ6)+hi(Tiθ6)+Ssh,2=0

where

Ssh,2 = solar radiation plus short-wave radiation from lights plus IR radiation from lights and zone equipment absorbed by the zone-side face of the shading layer (W/m2K).

Solving for Gap Airflow and Temperature[LINK]

For interior and exterior shading devices a pressure-balance equation is used to determine gap air velocity, gap air mean equivalent temperature and gap outlet air temperature given values of zone air temperature (or outside temperature for exterior shading), shading layer face temperatures and gap geometry. The pressure balance equates the buoyancy pressure acting on the gap air to the pressure losses associated with gap airflow between gap inlet and outlet [ISO15099, 2001]. The variables used in the following analysis of the interior shading case are shown in Figure [fig:vertical-section-a-and-perspective-view-b-of].

Vertical section (a) and perspective view (b) of glass layer and interior shading layer showing variables used in the gap airflow analysis. The opening areas A_{bot}, A_{top}, A_{l}, A_{r} and A_{h} are shown schematically. [fig:vertical-section-a-and-perspective-view-b-of]

Pressure Balance Equation[LINK]

The pressure balance equation for airflow through the gap is:

ΔpT=ΔpB+ΔpHP+ΔpZ

Here, ΔpT is the driving pressure difference between room air and gap air. It is given by:

ΔpT=ρ0T0gHsinϕTgapTga