An infrared thermography passive approach to assess the effect of leakage points in buildings

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Eva Barreira (Author) FEUP; Almeida, RMSF (Author) Other; Moreira, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Energy and Buildings

Vol. 140

Pages: 224-235

ISSN: 0378-7788

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 35 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-F8Y

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.02.009

Abstract (EN): Energy consumption is one of the major concerns of European citizens and governments. In the EU, buildings use 40% of total energy consumption and generate 36% of greenhouse gases. Therefore, buildings energy efficiency must be optimized, which requires, among others, minimizing infiltrations through the envelope. The measurement of the air leakages through a building envelope is usually carried out by means of the fan pressurization method (Blower Door Test). Although useful for assessing the airtightness of buildings no information is obtained regarding the air leakage pathways. For that, other techniques such as infrared thermography (IRT) can be used. This work presents the results of an experimental campaign that aimed to assess the applicability of IRT to detected air leakage through the roller shutter handle and the window frame of a room. A quantitative approach for results analysis was implemented and the contribution for airtightness of both roller shutter handle and window frame was also evaluated using the Blower Door Test. It was possible to conclude that the window frame had a larger contribution to the air flow rate than the roller shutter handle (109.4 m(3)/h and 21.7 m(3)/h, at a pressure difference of 50 Pa). Qualitative analysis of the thermal images indicated that a colder area near the leakage point can be detected and that it grows with the increase of the pressure difference. The quantitative approach showed that a stabilization of the surface temperature close to the value of the outdoor temperature occurred and the relative differences are around 15% both for the window frame and the roller shutter handle. It also showed that, in Most cases, the first pressure step (Delta P= 25 Pa) is responsible for about 60% of the differences in the superficial temperature. A good correlation was found between the proposed Pressurization Thermal Index and the temperature gradient between the exterior air temperature and the initial superficial temperature (ranging from 0.74 to 0.82).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12