Monika Pavčeková

Noise Perception in Residential Building Environment

This article brings up to discussion a particularly topical issue which is the quality of sound insulation in Slovakian dwellings. An analysis of the current acoustical situation in newly built or renovated buildings is shown, as well as the importance of a subjective evaluation of acoustical comfort is highlighted. Nevertheless, it is known that the acoustical comfort is one of the most important factors of a healthy living environment and that the acoustical defects often become subject of argumentation. Concerning the growing acoustical problems in dwellings, we could debate, to what extent the real value of the apartment can be estimated.

The Influence of Thermal Bridges on the Energy Need for Heating after Renewal: A Case Study

The contribution deals with the influence of additional heat loss caused by thermal bridges of a building on the energy need for heating. Calculations and comparisons were carried out for a simple characteristic family house built in the sixties in the last century. The family house was evaluated in original state and in four variants of a renewal.

Analysis of the Influence of Thermal Characteristics of Simple Family House on Heat Use for Heating

The contribution shows an application of results of previous research regarding new method for more exact calculation of increase of thermal transmittance due to thermal bridges (ΔU-value) on a simple family house. The calculations and evaluations of thermal properties were carried out on ten variants of the selected simple family house.

New Calculation Method for Determination of the Influence of Thermal Bridges on a Building

The contribution presents a new calculation method for more exact determination of increase of thermal transmittance due to thermal bridges ΔU. Since each building is three-dimensional, to get the objective and exact results, the calculation of heat losses of a building should be carried out using three-dimensional model. However, the 3D calculation is practically rather difficult and very hard realizable in building practice in Slovakia nowadays. It is much simpler to model and calculate a building as two-dimensional. The calculation method presented in this contribution is based on the modeling two-dimensional sections of the whole building taking into account the building as a whole.

Modification of Watters’ Formula for Simple Aerated Concrete Walls

The contribution presents a mathematical modification of Watters’ formula used in modified Watters’ method. This formula expresses a dependence of sound reduction index on surface mass (mass law). On the basis of the previous research which resulted in the finding that the Watters’ method do not give acceptable results for simple walls from aerated concrete, the mentioned formula was modified to be usable for theoretical determination of sound reduction index of simple aerated concrete walls. The contribution also presents a modification of this formula for calculation of sound reduction index of simple aerated concrete walls with a plaster on both sides.

Theoretical Determination of Sound Reduction Index of Simple Walls on Various Material Bases

The contribution deals with a comparison of measured and calculated values of sound reduction index R (dB) and weighted sound reduction index Rw (dB) of simple walls from various materials. In this way it verifies the exactness of a modified calculation-graphic method according to Watters and an appropriateness of its application for simple walls from various materials with the focus on the aerated concrete walls.

The Influence of the Position of Windows on ΔU Value

The paper deals with the analysis of the influence of the position of windows on a value of increase of transmission heat loss coefficient because of thermal bridges (ΔU value) which contributes to total heat loss of the building. The calculation of exact ΔU value was realized using a new calculation method according to Menďan [1]. The calculation was carried out on a selected residential house with thermal insulation placed on external side of the external walls. The house was solved in three variants. The variants differed in position of the windows (i.e. in the middle of the wall thickness, aligned with the internal edge of thermal insulation and the position of the windows in thermal insulation). Each of the variants was calculated for seven various values of thermal resistance of the external wall.

Influence of Renewal of Panel Residential Houses on Air Change Rate of a Building

The paper deals with the influence of renewal of panel residential houses, which includes also replacement of original windows for new ones, on air change rate of a building. The replacement of original windows for new windows with better thermal insulation properties and more quality sealing considerably contribute to reduction of energy need for heating of a building, but on the other hand, too low air change caused by tight windows worsen the quality of indoor environment of a building and therefore the required air change is needed to provide by more intensive ventilation. The paper brings an overview and comparison of air change rate of panel residential houses in original state and state after the renewal by adding thermal insulation on walls, roof and after replacement of windows.