Thesis 2010 - The Role of Thermal Mass in Sustainable Design

1. Deborah Moynihan BSc (Hons) Arch Tech
The Role of Thermal Mass in Sustainable Design
Thermal mass offers building designers the opportunity to improve the comfort of any
building that experiences temperature fluctuations throughout the day, both in summer
and winter. When it is used appropriately in conjunction with other passive design features,
thermal mass can play an important part in sustainable design, particularly in reducing the
energy consumed by active heating and cooling systems. If, however, thermal mass is used
incorrectly it can become an enormous energy and comfort burden to the occupants of the
space, e.g. in winter it can put extra demands on the space heating loads and in summer
prevent the building from cooling sufficiently if too much heat is being radiated back into
the building.
DT105/4 - 2009-10 deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

2. End of Year Final Presentation deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

3. Dissertation – The Role of Thermal Mass in Sustainable Design deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

4. Clongriffin Community Centre - Test Subject for the Role of Thermal Mass deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

5. Environmental Analysis of the Site deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

6. Investigation of Low Energy Design Strategies deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

7. Investigation of Lightweight Thermal Mass Materials deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

8. Investigation of Medium-weight Thermal Mass Materials deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

9. Investigation of Heavyweight Thermal Mass Materials deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

10. Natural Ventilation Construction Detail deborah.moynihan@gmail.com

11. Model-Making – Construction of Natural Ventilation Detail deborah.moynihan@gmail.com