Thermal bridge analysis in practice: KOBRA software and EUROKOBRA database.

Thermal bridges are the typical locations for moisture and mould problems in buildings. Low surface temperatures in combination with a high humidity level in buildings can lead to severe problems and complaints by the occupants. Thermal bridges lead also to a significant increase of the energy losses in well insulated buildings. At present, thermal bridge problems still frequently occur in new buildings but especially in rehabilitation projects. In several countries so-called thermal bridge atlases already exist. These can help the designer to increase his understanding of the problems but they are not a real help in solving his specific problems. One alternative is to perform detailed thermal bridge simulations. This however is expensive and not at all part of the daily practice. In the framework of several European and Belgian projects, the KOBRA software and EUROKOBRA database has been developed, offering a computerised thermal bridge atlas for 2-dimensional details. The main characteristics of the proposed atlas is its user friendliness, the large flexibility of modifying the detail (layer thickness, materials, boundary conditions,...) and the way of presenting the results (e.g. colour pictures showing the isothermal lines, the heat flux lines,...). The final product of these projects is an extremely powerful tool for so-called global training actions (for schools, colleges, architects, building contractors,...), which can be used in relation to all building types. Before the end of 2001, software and database will probably be available for many end users at no cost or very low price. The presentation shows the major features of software and database and its possibilities for optimisation of buildings design and for retrofitting of buildings.