Benchmark Matrix: Building Envelope Thermal Transmission, Fenestration SHGC, and Infiltration Sizing per ACCA Manual J

Overview & Experimental Bounds</p><p dir="ltr">This open-access benchmark matrix compiles 540 deterministic residential building envelope thermal load scenarios calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J (8th Edition, Full Version) and the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals. The dataset provides empirical and computational baselines evaluating Fourier conductive heat transmission across composite multi-layer wall and roof assemblies, fenestration Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC), and pressure-driven envelope infiltration converted from blower door depressurization tests (ACH50).</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Scenarios evaluate multi-dimensional variations across:</p><p dir="ltr">- 5 ASHRAE Climate Zones (CZ-2 through CZ-6) spanning design conditions from -15°F winter design dry-bulb to 95°F summer design dry-bulb.</p><p dir="ltr">- 4 Wall Assembly Configurations spanning legacy uninsulated 2x4 framing (effective U = 0.106) through advanced 2x6 framing and continuous exterior polyisocyanurate insulation (effective U = 0.040) with 2D framing factor thermal bridging.</p><p dir="ltr">- 3 Fenestration Regimes: Legacy single clear aluminum (U = 1.05, SHGC = 0.72), double clear metal (U = 0.48, SHGC = 0.58), and high-performance double low-E argon vinyl (U = 0.28, SHGC = 0.24).</p><p dir="ltr">- 3 Envelope Tightness Regimes: Leaky legacy (8.5 ACH50), code baseline (3.5 ACH50), and aerosol-sealed high performance (1.2 ACH50) converted via Sherman-Grimsrud LBL correlation factors (N = 18.2).</p><p dir="ltr">- 3 Dwelling Archetypes: Compact (1,500 sq ft), suburban (2,500 sq ft), and large (3,600 sq ft).</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Each state vector computes peak heating loss, sensible cooling gain, latent moisture cooling load, total refrigeration capacity required (tons), and quantifies the empirical over-prediction percentage of legacy contractor heuristics ("500 sq ft per ton").</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">### 2.

Tabular Schema Dictionary</p><p dir="ltr">- `scenario_id` (string): Unique state point identifier (ENV-0001 to ENV-0540)</p><p dir="ltr">- `climate_zone` (string): ASHRAE Standard 169 climate zone code (CZ-2 to CZ-6)</p><p dir="ltr">- `climate_zone_name` (string): Climate zone geographic and humidity descriptor</p><p dir="ltr">- `outdoor_winter_db_f` (integer): ASHRAE 99% design winter dry-bulb temperature (°F)</p><p dir="ltr">- `outdoor_summer_db_f` (integer): ASHRAE 1% design summer dry-bulb temperature (°F)</p><p dir="ltr">- `outdoor_summer_wb_f` (integer): ASHRAE mean coincident summer wet-bulb temperature (°F)</p><p dir="ltr">- `indoor_winter_setpoint_f` (integer): Heating thermostat setpoint (70°F)</p><p dir="ltr">- `indoor_summer_setpoint_f` (integer): Cooling thermostat setpoint (75°F)</p><p dir="ltr">- `floor_area_sqft` (integer): Conditioned floor area (sq ft)</p><p dir="ltr">- `dwelling_volume_cuft` (integer): Conditioned interior air volume (cu ft)</p><p dir="ltr">- `wall_assembly_id` (string): Structural wall framing and insulation specification</p><p dir="ltr">- `wall_effective_u_factor` (float): Effective assembly overall heat transfer coefficient incorporating 2D framing thermal bridging (BTU/(hr*ft²*°F))</p><p dir="ltr">- `fenestration_id` (string): Window glazing, spacer, and frame assembly designation</p><p dir="ltr">- `fenestration_u_factor` (float): Fenestration overall U-factor per NFRC rating (BTU/(hr*ft²*°F))</p><p dir="ltr">- `fenestration_shgc` (float): Fenestration Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (dimensionless)</p><p dir="ltr">- `infiltration_ach50` (float): Blower door depressurization air leakage rate at 50 Pa (ACH50)</p><p dir="ltr">- `infiltration_design_cfm` (float): Converted natural infiltration design airflow via Sherman-Grimsrud correlation (CFM)</p><p dir="ltr">- `heating_conduction_loss_btu_h` (integer): Total conductive Fourier heat loss across walls, glass, roof, and slab (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `heating_infiltration_loss_btu_h` (integer): Sensible air infiltration heating power required (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `total_peak_heating_load_btu_h` (integer): Total peak design heating demand (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `summer_conduction_gain_btu_h` (integer): Peak sensible conductive heat gain incorporating sol-air exterior solar radiation (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `summer_fenestration_solar_gain_btu_h` (integer): Direct and diffuse solar radiation through fenestration with interior shading (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `summer_sensible_infiltration_btu_h` (integer): Sensible air infiltration cooling load (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `summer_internal_sensible_gain_btu_h` (integer): Internal equipment, lighting, and occupant sensible metabolic load (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `total_cooling_sensible_load_btu_h` (integer): Net peak sensible heat extraction requirement (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `total_cooling_latent_load_btu_h` (integer): Moisture infiltration and occupant latent respiration load (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `total_cooling_peak_load_btu_h` (integer): Total peak cooling design capacity (BTU/hr)</p><p dir="ltr">- `calculated_cooling_tonnage` (float): Deterministic ACCA Manual J cooling equipment capacity (tons)</p><p dir="ltr">- `rule_of_thumb_tonnage_500sqft` (float): Capacity predicted by legacy 500 sq ft/ton heuristic (tons)</p><p dir="ltr">- `heuristic_oversize_percentage` (float): Equipment oversizing error produced by legacy heuristic relative to deterministic physics (%)</p><p dir="ltr">- `sensible_heat_ratio_shr` (float): Ratio of sensible cooling load to total cooling load (dimensionless)</p><p dir="ltr">- `canonical_reference_url` (string): Canonical interactive reference engine</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">### 3.