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oai:figshare.com:article/33702643 2026-09-13T14:02:57Z category_26779 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Benchmark Matrix: Building Envelope Thermal Transmission, Fenestration SHGC, and Infiltration Sizing per ACCA Manual J Miad Saadidi (24671005) Mechanical engineering not elsewhere classified HVAC system runtime ### 1. Overview & Experimental BoundsThis open-access benchmark matrix compiles 540 deterministic residential building envelope thermal load scenarios calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J (8th Edition, Full Version) and the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals. The dataset provides empirical and computational baselines evaluating Fourier conductive heat transmission across composite multi-layer wall and roof assemblies, fenestration Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC), and pressure-driven envelope infiltration converted from blower door depressurization tests (ACH50). Scenarios evaluate multi-dimensional variations across:- 5 ASHRAE Climate Zones (CZ-2 through CZ-6) spanning design conditions from -15°F winter design dry-bulb to 95°F summer design dry-bulb.- 4 Wall Assembly Configurations spanning legacy uninsulated 2x4 framing (effective U = 0.106) through advanced 2x6 framing and continuous exterior polyisocyanurate insulation (effective U = 0.040) with 2D framing factor thermal bridging.- 3 Fenestration Regimes: Legacy single clear aluminum (U = 1.05, SHGC = 0.72), double clear metal (U = 0.48, SHGC = 0.58), and high-performance double low-E argon vinyl (U = 0.28, SHGC = 0.24).- 3 Envelope Tightness Regimes: Leaky legacy (8.5 ACH50), code baseline (3.5 ACH50), and aerosol-sealed high performance (1.2 ACH50) converted via Sherman-Grimsrud LBL correlation factors (N = 18.2).- 3 Dwelling Archetypes: Compact (1,500 sq ft), suburban (2,500 sq ft), and large (3,600 sq ft). Each state vector computes peak heating loss, sensible cooling gain, latent moisture cooling load, total refrigeration capacity required (tons), and quantifies the empirical over-prediction percentage of legacy contractor heuristics ("500 sq ft per ton"). ### 2. Tabular Schema Dictionary- `scenario_id` (string): Unique state point identifier (ENV-0001 to ENV-0540)- `climate_zone` (string): ASHRAE Standard 169 climate zone code (CZ-2 to CZ-6)- `climate_zone_name` (string): Climate zone geographic and humidity descriptor- `outdoor_winter_db_f` (integer): ASHRAE 99% design winter dry-bulb temperature (°F)- `outdoor_summer_db_f` (integer): ASHRAE 1% design summer dry-bulb temperature (°F)- `outdoor_summer_wb_f` (integer): ASHRAE mean coincident summer wet-bulb temperature (°F)- `indoor_winter_setpoint_f` (integer): Heating thermostat setpoint (70°F)- `indoor_summer_setpoint_f` (integer): Cooling thermostat setpoint (75°F)- `floor_area_sqft` (integer): Conditioned floor area (sq ft)- `dwelling_volume_cuft` (integer): Conditioned interior air volume (cu ft)- `wall_assembly_id` (string): Structural wall framing and insulation specification- `wall_effective_u_factor` (float): Effective assembly overall heat transfer coefficient incorporating 2D framing thermal bridging (BTU/(hr*ft²*°F))- `fenestration_id` (string): Window glazing, spacer, and frame assembly designation- `fenestration_u_factor` (float): Fenestration overall U-factor per NFRC rating (BTU/(hr*ft²*°F))- `fenestration_shgc` (float): Fenestration Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (dimensionless)- `infiltration_ach50` (float): Blower door depressurization air leakage rate at 50 Pa (ACH50)- `infiltration_design_cfm` (float): Converted natural infiltration design airflow via Sherman-Grimsrud correlation (CFM)- `heating_conduction_loss_btu_h` (integer): Total conductive Fourier heat loss across walls, glass, roof, and slab (BTU/hr)- `heating_infiltration_loss_btu_h` (integer): Sensible air infiltration heating power required (BTU/hr)- `total_peak_heating_load_btu_h` (integer): Total peak design heating demand (BTU/hr)- `summer_conduction_gain_btu_h` (integer): Peak sensible conductive heat gain incorporating sol-air exterior solar radiation (BTU/hr)- `summer_fenestration_solar_gain_btu_h` (integer): Direct and diffuse solar radiation through fenestration with interior shading (BTU/hr)- `summer_sensible_infiltration_btu_h` (integer): Sensible air infiltration cooling load (BTU/hr)- `summer_internal_sensible_gain_btu_h` (integer): Internal equipment, lighting, and occupant sensible metabolic load (BTU/hr)- `total_cooling_sensible_load_btu_h` (integer): Net peak sensible heat extraction requirement (BTU/hr)- `total_cooling_latent_load_btu_h` (integer): Moisture infiltration and occupant latent respiration load (BTU/hr)- `total_cooling_peak_load_btu_h` (integer): Total peak cooling design capacity (BTU/hr)- `calculated_cooling_tonnage` (float): Deterministic ACCA Manual J cooling equipment capacity (tons)- `rule_of_thumb_tonnage_500sqft` (float): Capacity predicted by legacy 500 sq ft/ton heuristic (tons)- `heuristic_oversize_percentage` (float): Equipment oversizing error produced by legacy heuristic relative to deterministic physics (%)- `sensible_heat_ratio_shr` (float): Ratio of sensible cooling load to total cooling load (dimensionless)- `canonical_reference_url` (string): Canonical interactive reference engine ### 3. Governing Standards Cited- ACCA Manual J (8th Edition, Full Technical Version): Residential Load Calculation- ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (Chapters 14, 16, 17, 18, 27)- ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2022: Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings- IECC 2021 / 2024: International Energy Conservation Code- ASTM E779: Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization ### 4. Computational ReferenceInteractive simulation workbenches, deterministic calculation engines, and companion verification tools are maintained at https://hvaclogic.org/calculators/btu-calculator and https://hvaclogic.org/calculators/r-value-calculator. 2026-09-13T14:02:57Z Dataset Dataset 10.6084/m9.figshare.33702643.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Benchmark_Matrix_Building_Envelope_Thermal_Transmission_Fenestration_SHGC_and_Infiltration_Sizing_per_ACCA_Manual_J/33702643 CC BY 4.0