Earth Contact Buildings: Applications, Thermal Analysis and Energy Benefits

Earth contact buildings, also referred to as earth sheltered or underground structures, have been identified as one means of passive cooling that can contribute to reducing total energy requirements as well as peak load demands. Unlike most conservation and passive heating or cooling strategies which are singular in their purpose and effect, the use of earth contact represents a wide range of energy-related characteristics, as well as a number of diverse advantages not directly related to energy use. Earth contact is part of the thermal envelope in virtually all buildings, and presents opportunities for energy conservation in residential-scale and larger structures, in complexes of several structures, and in more innovative coupling of buildings to the ground.To provide an overview of these various facets of earth contact design and research, this chapter is divided into three parts. The first provides general background material on earth contact structures and their application. The second section summarizes key issues and pertinent research related to thermal analysis of earth contact buildings. The final section includes preliminary results of energy performance analysis for components of small earth contact structures.