I wonder if there is a standard to convert C-factor to U-factor or F-factor to U-factor. Is there a guideline to do so? Since not all energy program can let you input C, U, F as you desire. Thanks
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
March 17, 2015 - 11:38 am
They measure related things differently so I am not aware of any way to convert one to another.
90.1 Appendix A contains some guidance for how to model some assemblies if the software does not directly take F or C Factors.
Jean Marais
b.i.g. Bechtold DesignBuilder Expert832 thumbs up
March 18, 2015 - 4:15 am
App. A is rather inflexable with other methods for calculating F-factor u-values and specifically states that you can't. For example, you can't use a 2/3d FEM program in this case.
The engineering reference for energyplus describes how the program "reverse engineers" an equivalent construction with concrete and insulation from the user F & C factor inputs. You'll find the pdf with google. It's a big document so you'll search for C-Factor and F-factor to find the right section.
Several factors play a role...depth of wall, perimeter of slab, etc.
But that's not all. The appropriate boundry conditions have to be applied to the "exterior" side of the element also during simulation.
I made a slightly more detailed post regarding F-factors some time ago.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
March 18, 2015 - 10:24 am
USGBC allows the following if the software does not model F-factor, model the Baseline slab-on-grade floor as a six inch concrete slab over earth with a soil conductivity of 0.75 Btu/h-ft-°F in accordance with A6.1.
Haojie Wang
Energy ModelerKJWW Engineering
4 thumbs up
March 18, 2015 - 10:27 am
Thanks all. Those are great info