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Description
With the Psi-Value custom tool you can calculate single Ψ-values of constructions with more than 3 base construction with different U-values a single Ψ-value. The influence of all thermal bridges is summarized in a single Ψ-value.
The Psi-Value tool allows you to calculate the Ψ-values. The Ψ-value, which quantifies additional energy, is a correction value that is caused by linear shaped thermal bridges, and is not taken into account in 1 dimensional energy calculations with U-values.
The magnitude of the Ψ-value depends on several values: the quality of the construction, the quality of the dimensions, as well as the U-value which calculates the loss of heat of the undisturbed component. Hence, it is possible that a poorly insulating flat roof protection has a better Ψ-value than a well insulating window-wall junction, because in the case of the former, the calculation of the Ψ-value is done with exterior measurements through which part of the energy is already covered by thermal bridge energy losses by flat roof and wall measurements. Ψ-values can also be negative.
The calculation of Ψ-values is explained in detail in lesson 5.
How do I activate it?
The Psi-Value tool can be activated with the menu command Psi-Value in the menu Results or by clicking on the 
icon in the Toolbox flyout. Then select the kind custom in the tool properties (cf. figure 2). When the tool is active, the mouse becomes a 
.
How do I use it?
To calculate the Psi-value Custom two clicks are necessary: By defining starting- and endpoint the surface line is determined, with which the actual heat flow is calculated.
Then you have to define the number of basic components and the key values of the basic components in the Properties flyout (see figure 1) directly using the keyboard, the pipette tool 
or the link tool 
(see figure 1) by clicking on a compatible result object (U value, dimension or heat flow). If you use the link tool , the key values are linked. If the value of the corresponding result object changes, the Ψ value calculation is adjusted automatically. When using the pipette tool, the value is copied and any changes to the characteristic value are not taken into account.
The surface line is defined by the input of the start and endpoints:
First click on the spot where the surface line should begin. The boundaries of the construction, which come into question for the surface line, will be highlighted as a dashed line. Move your mouse counterclockwise to the desired endpoint. The dashed line now shows the segment through which the heat flow will be calculated. As soon as you click on the endpoint the line will be defined.
If the SHIFT key is pressed while you define the surface line, then the first click sets start and endpoints automatically at the adjacent adiabatic edges (e.g. construction sections).
The Psi-value will be displayed, and the start and end points of the surface line will be labeled.
If you want to interrupt the line input process, then you can use context menu (right click) command Cancel or you can hit the ESC key.
The base values of the Ψ-value calculation, which have a significant influence on the result (U-values of the constructions, length of the components, if the heat flow through the sections at the start- and endpoint should be considered and the temperature difference), can be adjusted afterwards in the Properties flyout (cf. figure 1). You can either enter the values manually, copy the values from another result object (
), or link the calculation to other result objects (
).
Figure 1: Properties flyout of a Ψ-value object based on 4 constructions
Defining Styles
The presentation of a Psi-value object can be defined in the Style list in the Psi-Value tool properties (see figure 2). The list shows all styles for Psi-value objects that have previously been determined in the Styles flyout.
A new Psi-value object will always be created with the styles currently marked in the Style drop down list. You can either change the selection of the styles in the Styles flyout or in the Style drop down list in the Psi-Value tool properties.
The styles can also be adjusted afterwards by using the Assign Properties tool or by using the Drag&Drop function (see lesson 1).
The style of the caption (e.g., number of decimal places, display of the formulas) as well as the graphic properties of the cut line can be changed by adjusting the corresponding style in the style flyout.
Figure 2: Psi-Value tool properties
Accurate Results
To receive accurate results, the following conditions must be met:
•the cross section line should be defined within sections, through which no heat flow flows (e.g. symmetrical axes or on edges where there the boundary condition is set at: heat flux q=0.0 W/m2K).
•If you choose an exterior reference system, start and endpoints should lie on the exterior boundary of the construction. If you choose an interior reference system, start and endpoints should lie on the interior boundary of the construction. Make note of the order of the inputs: also here endpoint inputs are entered counterclockwise.
•Also consider the Comments section in the chapter Physical Explanation.
Physical Explanation
The Ψ-value with several components is calculated as follows:
The total heat flow per running meter consists of the following sub-flows:
or if the heat flows are taken into account by the cut surfaces (see Properties flyout):
The heat flow, which is already taken into account by the 1-dimensional analysis, is calculated as follows:
where:
ΦA-C: heat flow from A to C (counterclockwise) [W/m]
ΦB-A: heat flow from B to A (counterclockwise) [W/m]
ΦC-D: heat flow from C to D (counterclockwise) [W/m]
ΔT: if there are only two boundary condition temperatures: Temperature difference TA - TB of the boundary condition temperatures TA and TB at the points A and B [K]
ΔT: if there are more than 2 boundary condition temperatures, then the temperature difference will be calculated according to the rule defined in the Properties flyout.
UA-E: U-value for the whole construction from A to E [W/m2K]
UF-C: U-value for the whole construction from F to C [W/m2K]
UF-E: U-value for the whole construction from F to E [W/m2K]
lA-E: length of the projection of the line segment AC on the perpendicular to the section line AB [m]
lF-C: length of the projection of the line segment FC on the perpendicular to the section line CD [m]
lF-E: length of the projection of the line segment FE[m]
Comments
•In general, the Ψ-values are dependent on the side of a construction (interior or exterior) for which the value is being calculated. In particular, the relational lines (lA-E and lC-E) can be different.
•If the heat flow exceeds a critical, relatively high value, then the corresponding warning will be shown. You can adjust this value in the Properties flyout.
•All heat flows will be calculated counterclockwise from start to endpoint.
•To calculate the heat flow, all reference points will automatically be shown at the nearest mesh point on the surface.
•The sign of the heat flow is taken into account: heat flows into the system are positive; heat flows out of the system are negative.
•If there are more than 2 boundary condition temperatures in the model, then the Ψ-value depends on the temperature relations, and is not valid for other boundary condition temperatures. The rule for the calculation of the needed temperature difference must be defined in the Properties flyout.
Limitations
•This tool can only be used on the report page and only if result objects of a previously calculated model are present.
•Neither interior edges nor heat sources can be present.