Analysis of the sensible heat flux from the exterior surface of buildings using time sequential thermography

In this study, the distribution of surface temperature on the surface of tw o buildings having different characteristics was measured using a thermal i nfrared camera. Measurements were made in the summer, the period in Japan d uring which heat flux from buildings is of major interest, and again in the winter for comparison purposes. The heat characteristics of each building were obtained throughout the day by time-sequential thermography (TST), and the surface temperature of each physical element was classified according to temperature, shape, material and position. When the temperature of a sur face could not be determined by an infrared camera mounted on the top of a building or a pole, temperature measurements were made using a hand-held IR camera. In addition, the sensible heat flux from each surface was calculat ed using TST and the surface area of each element as calculated from bluepr ints of the buildings. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.