University of Tasmania, Australia

The objective of this general research area is to better understand and quantify the thermal performance of light-frame buildings, particularly forms of construction commonly used in the Australian residential sector. Specifically, this project seeks to compare the thermal performance of three commonly used construction types used in the Australian residential sector; to empirically validate the AccuRate software in cool temperate climates such as in Tasmania; and to build research capabilities and expertise. It includes thermal performance monitoring of three test cells, and the subsequent comparisons and analysis for the empirical validation.

Thermal Performance research in the School of Architecture & Design relies upon three Test Cells constructed in the Newnham Campus. The test cells were built in the same location, with the same planning and orientation but using different floor construction types. Each test cell was designed to match flooring options referenced from the Building Code of Australia. To further align with the primary building types used for housing in Australia, the cells were designed with brick veneer walls with either an enclosed subfloor or no subfloor.

Prior to this project, no empirical validation studies on AccuRate were conducted on purpose-built buildings, specifically comparing platform timber-floors and slab-on-ground floors.

Each test cell was fully instrumented with a total of at least 60 sensors installed in the room, roofspace, walls and wall cavities, subfloor space, and the ground. A weather station located on the roof provided external environment data for the AccuRate thermal performance simulation. Measurement and comparison of the test cells’ thermal performance ensued after verifying the air-tightness of the buildings.

In one research project conducted by Dr Mark Dewsbury as part of his PhD, it was found that the simulated room temperature was almost always lower than measured temperature. When thermal comfort bands in Launceston according to the protocol for house energy rating (2006) were considered, the simulated hourly temperatures for a warm and a cool week resulted in an underestimation of overheating degree hours during the warm week, and an overestimation of underheating degree hours during the cool week in all test cells.

Dewsbury, M and Fay, MR and Nolan, G and Vale, RJD, ‘The design of three thermal performance test cells in Launceston’, Proceedings of the 41st ANZAScA Annual Conference, 16 - 18 November 2007, Geelong, pp. 91-100. ISBN 978-0-9581925-3-8 (2007) [Refereed Conference Paper]

Dewsbury, M and Nolan, G and Fay, MR and Vale, RJD, ‘The use of AccuRate, in the design process of Two Developer Type Timber Platform Houses, to achieve a 5 Star & an 8 Star House Energy Rating’, Challenges for Architectural Science in Changing Climates: Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Architectural Science Association ANZAScA, 22-24 November 2006, Adelaide, pp. 26-33. ISBN 0-9586961-2-8 (2006) [Refereed Conference Paper]

Nolan, G and Dewsbury, M, ‘Improving the thermal performance of light weight timber construction: a review of approaches and impediments relevant to six test buildings’, Challenges for Architectural Science in Changing Climates: Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Architectural Science Association ANZAScA, 22-24 November 2006, Adelaide, pp. 17 - 25. ISBN 0-9586961-2-8 (2006) [Refereed Conference Paper]

Dewsbury, M and Soriano, FP and Fay, MR, ‘An empirical validation of the 'AccuRate' software enveloped model using a concrete slab-on-ground test building’, Proceedings of the 12th Conference of The International Building Performance Simulation Association, November 14 - 16, Sydney, pp. 886-893. ISBN 978-0-646-56510-1 (2011) [Refereed Conference Paper] [Full Text] [Detail]

Dewsbury, M and Wallis, LH and Fay, MR and Nolan, G, ‘The influence of residential framing practices on thermal performance’, Performative Ecologies in the Built Environment: sustainability research across disciplines, 25th - 27th November 2009, University of Tasmania, Launceston, pp. 2-9. ISBN 978-1-86295-547-9 (2009) [Refereed Conference Paper] [Detail]

Wallis, LH and Dewsbury, M, ‘Does Size Matter: a comparison of methods to appraise thermal efficiency of a small house’, Performative Ecologies in the Built Environment: sustainability research across disciplines, 25th - 27th November 2009, University of Tasmania, Launceston, pp. 35-42. ISBN 978-1-86295-547-9 (2009) [Refereed Conference Paper]

Members (External)

Dr Mark Dewsbury, Lecturer, School of Architecture & Design

Assoc Prof Greg Nolan, Director, Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW), School of Architecture & Design