Novel parameterization of building storage heat flux for urban climate modeling

Liu, Yiqing, Grimmond, Sue, Paskin, Matthew, Hang, Jian and Luo, Zhiwen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2082-3958 2026. Novel parameterization of building storage heat flux for urban climate modeling. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 18 (9) , e2026MS005834. 10.1029/2026MS005834

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Abstract

Accurate estimation of building heat storage flux (ΔQS) is essential for modeling the urban surface energy balance and urban climates. The Objective Hysteresis Model (OHM) is a computationally efficient scheme that uses coefficients (a1, a2, a3) that can be derived from standard thermal parameters for heat conduction. Currently, it is constrained by the scarcity of coefficients representative of diverse construction types and meteorological regimes. To address this problem, we develop a physically informed parameterization that links OHM coefficients to key construction properties and weather forcing. Using large ensembles of parametric EnergyPlus simulations, we fit regression models that map thermal-mass thickness and properties, insulation placement, and meteorological drivers to a1–a3. We demonstrate the dominant influence of insulation placement: materials located exterior to the insulation layer account for most heat storage and release. The derived coefficients are verified using field observations undertaken at the Scaled Outdoor Measurement of Urban Climate and Health (SOMUCH) platform, where ΔQS is independently estimated using the element surface temperature method (ESTM). OHM-modeled ΔQS agrees closely with observations. Implemented within the Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme (SUEWS), the new scheme enables assessment of how construction choices affect neighborhood-scale microclimate (e.g., air temperature, wind speed), underscoring the influence of insulation placement on both building and neighborhood climates. This approach offers a practical means to rapidly infer OHM coefficients from readily available building and meteorological data, broadening OHM's applicability across materials and climates and supporting improved urban design and heat-mitigation strategies.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Architecture
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1942-2466
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 September 2026
Last Modified:	28 Sep 2026 11:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189835

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