Opaque
Opaque constructions are applied to surfaces in the building that do not have glass layers or transmit solar radiation. There are eleven types of opaque constructions:
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Single Construction Walls
These constructions will be applied to exterior wall surfaces in the building drawing process. The single construction wall detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
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All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors, and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction in the Templates section of the project. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained from using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value, change the “Override u-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE® 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing a single construction wall library member, you can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
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Single construction walls can also have a radiant layer. This layer is only used when a radiant system has been selected in the project file. It will add or remove heat to the zone via the construction. To add a radiant layer to the wall construction, move to the radiant layer tab and add the required radiant layer information.
C-factor Walls
These constructions will be applied only to underground wall surfaces during the building drawing process. C-factor walls differ from the usual wall constructions, in that it describes an entire construction rather than the individual layers. It is used when only the wall height (depth to the ground) and the C-factor are available. This construction type creates an equivalent layer-by-layer construction model for the underground wall in order to approximate the heat transfer through the wall. This model takes into consideration the thermal mass of the earth soil.
The only two inputs are:
C-factor – The time rate of steady-state heat flow through unit area of the construction, induced by a unit temperature difference between the body surfaces. The C-Factor unit is W/m2K. The C-factor does not include soil or air films. ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and California Title 24 specify maximum C-factors for underground walls depending on space types and climate zones.
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Default value:
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blank
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Min & Max:
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0 < x <= 100,000
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Typical Range:
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1 to 12 W/m2K; 0.01 to 1.0 Btu/(hr•ft2•°F)
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Units:
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W/(m2K); Btu/(hr•ft2•°F)
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Wall height - This field is not displayed in the library. It will be auto filled when the construction is assigned to a building surface during the drawing process. It describes the height of the underground wall, i.e. the depth to the ground surface.
Partitions
These constructions will be applied to partition (internal walls) surfaces during the building drawing process. The partitions detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
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All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing a partitions library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
Roofs
These constructions will be applied to roof surfaces during the building drawing process. The roofs detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
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All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value in the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value, change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing a roofs library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
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Roofs can also have a radiant layer. This layer is only used when a radiant system has been selected in the project file. It will add or remove heat to the zone via the construction. To add a radiant layer to the roof construction, move to the radiant layer tab, and add the required radiant layer information.
Ceilings
These constructions will be applied to ceiling surfaces during the building drawing process. The ceilings detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
-
All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing a ceilings library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
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Ceilings can also have a radiant layer. This layer is only used when a radiant system has been selected in the project file. It will add or remove heat to the zone via the construction. To add a radiant layer to the roof construction, move to the radiant layer tab, and add the required radiant layer information.
Slab Floors
These constructions will be applied to slab floor surfaces during the building drawing process. Groups can be added as necessary to organize library members in this type. The slab floor detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
-
All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing a slab floor library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
-
You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
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Slab floors can also have a radiant layer. This layer is only used when a radiant system has been selected in the project file. It will add or remove heat to the zone via the construction. To add a radiant layer to the roof construction, move to the radiant layer tab, and add the required radiant layer information.
Raised Floors
These constructions will be applied to raised floor surfaces in the building drawing process. The raised floor detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
-
All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing a raised floor library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
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Raised floors can also have a radiant layer. This layer is only used when a radiant system has been selected in the project file. It will add or remove heat to the zone via the construction. To add a radiant layer to the roof construction, move to the radiant layer tab, and add the required radiant layer information.
F-factor Floors
These constructions will be applied only to underground wall surfaces during the building drawing process. F-factor walls differ from the usual wall constructions, in that it describes an entire construction rather than the individual layers. It is used only when the floor area, exposed perimeter, and the F-factor are available. This construction type creates an equivalent layer-by-layer construction model for the slab-on-grade or underground floor in order to approximate the heat transfer through the floor. This model takes into consideration the thermal mass of the earth soil.
The only three inputs are:
F-factor – The F-Factor represents the heat transfer through the floor, induced by a unit temperature difference between the outside and inside air temperature, per linear length of the exposed perimeter of the floor. The unit for this input is W/mK. ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and California Title 24 specify maximum F-factors for slab-on-grade or underground floors depending on space types and climate zones.
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Default value:
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blank
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Min & Max:
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0 < x <= 100,000
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|
Typical Range:
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1 to 12 W/m2K; 0.01 to 1.0 Btu/(hr•ft2•°F)
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Units:
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W/(m2K); Btu/(hr•ft2•°F)
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Area - This field is not displayed in the library. It will be automatically populated once the construction is assigned to a surface during the building drawing process. It describes the area of the slab-on-grade or underground floor.
Exposed perimeter - This field is not displayed in the library. It will be automatically populated once the construction is assigned to a surface during the building drawing process. It describes the exposed (direct contact with ambient air) perimeter of the slab-on-grade or underground floor.
External Doors
These constructions will be applied to door sub-surfaces placed on an exterior wall surface during the building drawing process. The external doors detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
-
All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing an external doors library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
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Exterior doors can have external shading devices. To add an external shading device, simply move to the corresponding tab and select the desired overhang and/or fin library member. The properties of the selected library member will be displayed on the screen but cannot be edited.
Interior Doors
These constructions will be applied to door sub-surfaces placed on an interior wall surface during the building drawing process. The interior doors detail screen will display the layers that have been added to the construction type in order from outside to inside. “Outside” is the layer furthest away from the zone air. “Inside” is the layer next to the zone air. The screen will also display the opaque constructions calculated values.
-
All opaque constructions (except for c-factor walls, f-factor floors and multiple construction walls) give you the ability to define the u-value for the construction. This override will be used instead of the calculated u-value obtained using the defined material layers. To override the calculated u-value change the “Override U-value” field and enter your desired U-factor. Note, because the EnergyPlus™ engine calculates the assembly u-value, TRACE 3D Plus will modify the material layers until the defined user override u-value is obtained.
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When editing an interior doors library member, users can add layers by hitting the + Add layer button. This will bring up a list of the valid Opaque Material library members. Hitting the + button next to a material library member will add it to the construction as a layer. The opaque constructions calculated values will be updated when a new material is added or deleted from the construction layers.
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You can switch the library member of an existing layer by selecting the replace layer button. Layers can be moved up or down with the buttons or you can delete a layer by hitting the trash can button.
