The Laplace Transform solution is used as a mathematical model to analyse the thermal performance of the building constructed using different wall materials. The solution obtained from Laplace Transform is an analytical solution of an one dimensional, linear, partial differential equation for wall temperature profiles and room air temperatures. The main purpose of the study is showing the detail of obtaining solution process of the Laplace Transform. This study is conducted using weather data from two different locations in Korea: Seoul, Busan for both winter and summer conditions. A comparison is made for the cases of an onoff controller and a proportional controller. The weather data are processed to yield hourly average monthly values. Energy consumption load is well calculated from the solution. The result shows that there is an effect of mass on the thermal performance of heavily constructed house in mild weather conditions such as Busan. Building using proportional control experience a higher comfort level in a comparison of building using on-off control.

A steady-state analysis and a simple dynamic model as simplified methods are developed, and results of energy consumption loads are compared with results obtained using computer to evaluate the analytical solution. Before obtaining simplified model a mathematical model is formulated for the effect of wall mass on the thermal performance of four different houses having various wall construction. This analytical study was motivated by the experimental work of Burch et al. An analytical solution of one-dimensional, linear, partial differential equation for wall temperature profiles and room air temperatures is obtained using the Laplace transform method. Typical Meteorological Year data are processed to yield hourly average monthly values. This study is conducted using weather data from four different locations in the United States: Albuquerque, New mexico; Miami, Florida; Santa Maria, California; and Washington D.C. for both winter and summer conditions. The steady state analysis that does not include the effect of thermal mass can provide an accurate estimate of energy consumption in most cases except for houses #2 and #4 in mild weather areas. This result shows that there is an effect of mass on the thermal performance of heavily constructed house in mild weather conditions. The simple dynamic model is applicable for high cycling rates and accurate values of inside wall temperature and ambient air temperature.

A mathematical model is formulated to study the effect of wall mass on the thermal performance of four different houses of different construction. This analytical study was motivated by the experimental work of Burch et al. An analytical solution of one -dimensional, linear, partial differential equation for wall temperature profiles and room air temperatures is obtained using the Laplace transform method. Typical Meteorological Year data are processed to yield hourly average monthly values. These discrete data are then converted to a continuous, time dependent form using a Fast Fourier Transform method. This study is conducted using weather data from four different locations in the United States: Albuquerque, New mexico; Miami, Florida; Santa Maria, California; and Washington D.C. for both winter and summer conditions. A computer code is developed to calculate the wall temperature profile, room air temperature, and energy consumption loads. Three sets of results are calculated one for no auxiliary energy and two for different control mechanism -- an on-off controller and a proportional controller. Comparisons are made for the cases of two controllers. Heavy weight houses with insulation in mild weather areas (such as August in Santa Maria, California) show a high comfort level. Houses using proportional control experience a higher comfort level in comparison to houses using on-off control. The result shows that there is an effect of mass on the thermal performance of a heavily constructed house in mild weather conditions.