Thermal mass vs. thermal response factors: determining optimal geometrical

In this study, a thermal-network model is employed for the determination of the characteristic thermal inertia factors and more specifically the decrement factor f and the time lag ?. These parameters are very important, especially during the warm period of summer (when passive cooling is essential), when a periodic thermal wave propagates through a walls cross sectional area, from its outer to its inner surface. Initially, the analytical procedures are carried out for the investigation of the sole effect of the thickness d, which is a geometrical property, on thermal inertia factors, for typical building materials of wall formations (simple wall configurations constructed from the more frequently used construction materials, such as masonry and insulation material). Moreover, the extracted results can consequently lead to optimal decisions for the building envelope assemblies.