Analyzing Zero Energy House Structure using Finite Element Method

This study analyzes the structure of a zero energy house using finite element method (FEM) to identify suitable techniques of improving efficiency and performance of these houses, and also reducing their whole-life costs. The paper focuses on using FEM to analyze thermal properties and energy performance of various materials and systems that can be used in zero energy buildings. The specific finite element tool that will be used in this study is ANSYS software.

Zero Energy House Structure 1
ZERO ENERGY HOUSE STRUCTURE
Name
Course
Professor
University
City/state
Date

Zero Energy House Structure 2
Zero Energy House Structure
Introduction
Zero energy houses are buildings that use 100% natural resources and consume zero
energy. These houses can play a key role in minimizing carbon emissions and conserving the
environment without compromising the quality level of indoor environment. The zero energy
houses can be built anywhere in the world and therefore they have a great potential of promoting
environmental conservation by eliminating or reducing energy consumption by buildings. The
main aim of this topic is to analyze the structure of a zero energy house using finite element
method (FEM) so as to identify suitable techniques of improving efficiency and performance of
these houses, and also reducing their whole-life costs.
Significant of Study
Buildings account for about 40% of total global energy consumptioni. Consequently,
buildings account for a significant percentage of carbon emissions. Therefore one way of
reducing carbon emissions significantly is by minimizing energy consumption by buildingsii. If
zero energy houses are implemented worldwide, it means that global energy consumption will
decrease by about 40%. This means a lot towards protecting the environment, improving
people’s health and conserving biodiversity and ecosystems. Zero energy buildings are
environmentally friendly, affordable and economic. This study aims at analyzing various
elements of zero energy houses using FEM so as to determine their thermal properties and how
they contribute towards the building’s ability to absorb, retain or emit heat and light. The FEM
will also be used to determine various characteristics of zero energy houses, such as orientation,
size, shape, etc. that influence the building’s ability to generate onsite renewable energy. This

Zero Energy House Structure 3
information is useful in selecting the best designs (shape, size, orientation, layout, etc.) and most
suitable materials for zero energy houses. There are several studies that have been conducted
about zero energy buildings. However, most of these studies generalize this topic and hence do
not provide specific recommendations on how to achieve zero energy buildings. This study fills
this research gap by analyzing specific elements of materials and systems of zero energy
buildings and use the findings to identify the best materials and systems that can be used in these
buildings.
Objectives of Study
This paper will focus on using FEM to analyze thermal properties and energy
performance of various materials and systems that can be used in zero energy buildings. Some of
these materials and systems include: glue laminated timber, hollow blocks filled with fly ash
concrete, green roof, green plaster, casement windows, insulation, atria, wind catchers, rainwater
harvesting system, underfloor water piping system, roofing system filled with foam, solar
integrated roof panels, rooftop solar panels, windows overhand, etc.iii. Another objective is to
establish suitable methods and systems of generating and using renewable energy in zero energy
buildings.
Methodology
As stated before, the analyses of various elements of zero energy buildings in this study
will be done using FEM. Each material and system of the building will be analyzed
independently so as to determine its thermal properties and energy performance, and establish
their contribution to overall energy requirements and performance of the building. The
researcher will also go further and analyze the thermal properties and energy performance of

Zero Energy House Structure 4
these materials and systems under different conditions, such as environmental conditions,
orientation of the house, size and shape of the house, number of occupants, etc. The specific
finite element tool that will be used in this study is ANSYS software. The researcher will analyze
each component of the zero energy building using specific ANSYS element. The importance of
FEM is that is considers the properties of a material or characteristics of a system to analyze its
performance or behaviour under different conditions, such as physical effects, load, etc.iv.
Another importance of this method is that it can analyze any building structure regardless of its
size or complexityv. Therefore this method will help in identifying the best materials and systems
for use when building zero energy houses.

Zero Energy House Structure 5
Endnotes

i Center for Clean Air Policy, 2012. Success Stories in Building Energy Efficiency, Washington, D.C.: Center for
Clean Air Policy.
ii Oh, J; Hong, T; Kim, H; An, J; Jeong, K; Koo, C., 2017. Advanced Strategies for Net-Zero Energy Buildings: Focused on the
Early Phase and Usage Phase of a Building's Life Cycle. Sustainability, 9(12), pp. 1-52.
iii The Constructor, 2018. Zero Energy Buildings - Features, Benefits and Materials. [Online]
Available at: https://theconstructor.org/building/zero-energy-buildings/13588/
[Accessed 30 July 2018].
iv Miedzialowski, C. & Kretowska, J., 2014. Finite Element Analysis for the Modelling of Building Structures in
Three Dimensional Schemes. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2(4), pp. 143-148.
v Szafran, J., Juszczyk, K. & Kaminski, M., 2017. Coupled Finite Volume and Finite Element Method Analysis of a
Complex Large-Span Roof Structure. Internal Journal of Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 22(4), pp. 995-
1017.