Multi-layered slab 1D conduction heat transfer for buildings discrete event simulations

The 1D conduction heat transfer in multi-layered slabs is fundamental to building energy simulation. Its solution could be split into two big categories: finite difference and root-finding methods. These latter are also known as Laplace or Conduction heat Transfer Function methods (CTF). The paper briefly reviews why none of them, in its current formulation, fits the new trend based on event-driven simulation. It proposes a new CTF whose inputs are the conduction heat fluxes q̇ and the responses are the superficial temperature speeds Ṫ on both slab sides. Thus it could be classified as a root-finding procedure. However, it employs a solution rooted in the uncommon Successive State Transition (SST) method from the 80’s Japanese school. Moreover, it proves that both superficial temperatures T can also be solved using this SST method. The outcome is a solution procedure with many advantages; the main one is that it does suit the novel event-driven paradigm. Finally, the paper illustrates the procedure with an example. •Novel Conduction heat Transfer Function.•Recovers a solution method based on the Japanese School, named SST.•Allows variable time steps and, thus, fits event-driven simulations.•Keeps track of heat fluxes contributing to consistent physical models.•Accuracy prefixed by the user and adaptive computational burden.