Class ThermalSimulator

java.lang.Object

org.episteme.social.architecture.ThermalSimulator

public final class ThermalSimulator
extends Object

Analytical engine for thermal simulation and building energy analysis. It provides models for calculating U-values (thermal transmittance), annual heating demand, and thermal mass for building assemblies.

Since:

1.0

Version:

2.0

Author:

Silvere Martin-Michiellot, Gemini AI (Google DeepMind)

Nested Class Summary

Nested Classes

Modifier and Type	Class	Description
static final record	ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	Intrinsic thermal properties of a construction material.
static final record	ThermalSimulator.WallLayer	A single layer within a wall or roof assembly.

Field Summary

Fields

Modifier and Type	Field	Description
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	AIR_GAP
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	BRICK
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	CONCRETE
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	GLASS
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	INSULATION_EPS
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	INSULATION_MINERAL
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	PLASTERBOARD
static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial	WOOD

Method Summary

Modifier and Type	Method	Description
static Real	annualHeatingDemand(Real uValue, Quantity<Area> area, double heatingDegreeDays)	Estimates the annual heating energy demand using the simplified degree-day method.
static Real	calculateUValue(List<ThermalSimulator.WallLayer> layers, double internalSurfaceResistance, double externalSurfaceResistance)	Calculates the U-value (thermal transmittance) of a complete wall assembly.
static boolean	meetsMinimumStandard(Real uValue, double maxU)	Verifies if a building element meets local regulatory minimum standards.
static Real	requiredInsulationThickness(List<ThermalSimulator.WallLayer> existingLayers, ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial insulation, double targetU, double rsi, double rse)	Suggests the required thickness of a new insulation layer to reach a target U-value for an existing wall.
static Real	thermalMass(ThermalSimulator.WallLayer layer, Quantity<Area> area)	Calculates the thermal mass (heat storage capacity) of a building element.

Methods inherited from class Object

clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

Field Details

CONCRETE

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial CONCRETE

BRICK

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial BRICK

GLASS

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial GLASS

WOOD

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial WOOD

INSULATION_MINERAL

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial INSULATION_MINERAL

INSULATION_EPS

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial INSULATION_EPS

AIR_GAP

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial AIR_GAP

PLASTERBOARD

public static final ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial PLASTERBOARD

Method Details

calculateUValue

public static Real calculateUValue(List<ThermalSimulator.WallLayer> layers,
 double internalSurfaceResistance,
 double externalSurfaceResistance)

Calculates the U-value (thermal transmittance) of a complete wall assembly. U = 1 / (Rsi + sum(R_layers) + Rse)

Parameters:

layers - list of wall layers from interior to exterior

internalSurfaceResistance - Rsi (standard value ~0.13)

externalSurfaceResistance - Rse (standard value ~0.04)

Returns:

the U-value in W/(m²·K)

annualHeatingDemand

public static Real annualHeatingDemand(Real uValue,
 Quantity<Area> area,
 double heatingDegreeDays)

Estimates the annual heating energy demand using the simplified degree-day method.

Parameters:

uValue - the thermal transmittance of the building envelope

area - total surface area of the envelope

heatingDegreeDays - localized heating degree days (HDD)

Returns:

annual heating demand in kilowatt-hours (kWh)

thermalMass

public static Real thermalMass(ThermalSimulator.WallLayer layer,
 Quantity<Area> area)

Calculates the thermal mass (heat storage capacity) of a building element.

Parameters:

layer - the wall layer representing the thermal mass

area - of the element

Returns:

heat capacity in Joules per Kelvin (J/K)

meetsMinimumStandard

public static boolean meetsMinimumStandard(Real uValue,
 double maxU)

Verifies if a building element meets local regulatory minimum standards.

Parameters:

uValue - calculated U-value

maxU - maximum allowed U-value by code

Returns:

true if the element is compliant

requiredInsulationThickness

public static Real requiredInsulationThickness(List<ThermalSimulator.WallLayer> existingLayers,
 ThermalSimulator.ThermalMaterial insulation,
 double targetU,
 double rsi,
 double rse)

Suggests the required thickness of a new insulation layer to reach a target U-value for an existing wall.

Parameters:

existingLayers - current wall configuration

insulation - material to be added as insulation

targetU - the desired U-value

rsi - internal surface resistance

rse - external surface resistance

Returns:

required insulation thickness in meters