Comsol
Case Studies
Using Multiphysics Simulation to Prevent Building Damage
Overview
Using Multiphysics Simulation to Prevent Building DamageComsol |
Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation | |
Construction & Infrastructure Buildings | |
Facility Management Maintenance | |
Predictive Maintenance Building Automation & Control Building Energy Management Structural Health Monitoring | |
Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration | |
Operational Impact
Sekki used his simulation to predict temperatures at the two lowest corners of the concrete foundation. He investigated three cases: the original structure, the structure after heating system renovations, and the structure after renovations that replaced damaged wood wool cement board (WWCB) with expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation. | |
For a typical year in Helsinki, the ground stayed warm enough to prevent damages to the building in its original state as well as after heating system renovations. However, after the WWCB insulation was replaced with EPS, the ground near the foundation dipped to 0.5°C, low enough to be a concern. | |
After simulating the building during a longer winter, Sekki found that only the foundation of the original structure stayed safely above freezing temperatures. The ground around the foundation of the renovated structure with WWCB dipped to -2°C, and the foundation of the renovated structure with the replacement-EPS insulation dipped even farther, to -4°C. This meant removing the heating pipe would risk serious damage to the building foundation. | |
Quantitative Benefit
Annual freezing degree hours (FDH) for Helsinki is typically about 14,000 FDH. | |
Critical freezing quantity accounts for abnormally cold winters with about 40,000 FDH. | |
Ground near the foundation dipped to 0.5°C after replacing WWCB insulation with EPS. | |