Research and application of active hollow core slabs in building systems for utilizing low energy sources

In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the research and application of active hollow core slabs in building systems for utilizing low energy sources. The principle and development of active hollow core slabs in building systems for leveling the indoor temperature fluctuation by ventilation air passing the cores are described. Calculation models of the active hollow core concrete slab as well as the practical applications and performance evaluation of the slab applied in building systems for air conditioning are also critically reviewed, One-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional models can be found in the literature for successfully simulating these heat transfer process. A finite element or finite difference method is often used for problem solving of two-dimensional or three-dimensional models. These detailed numerical solutions usually require lots of computation demand and limit the practical application in conventional building simulation packages. Simplified thermal network models are simple and easy to be developed, the parameters of these thermal network models were determined manually based on the geometry description of the slab which may deteriorate the modeling accuracy. Simulation-based performance evaluations and in situ measurements show that significant energy and operation cost could be saved, the peak cooling load or heat load can also be reduced significantly when conventional air-conditioning systems are used as supplements. Finally, this review shows that more works on the active slab are worthwhile for further promoting these slabs to be used in low energy architecture for improving energy efficiency and occupant thermal comfort wherever the climate is appropriate.