ABSTRACT
The results of steady-state numerical simulation of heat conduction in a rectangular composite plate are presented in this chapter. Sources of heat generation within the plate are not considered, and heat input is assumed to take place only through the top edge. A three-dimensional solid of rectangular parallelepiped geometry of depth(z) substantially greater than the transverse dimensions(x,y) can be thermally treated and analysed as a 2–D plate, with ∂ T ∂ x ~ ∂ T ∂ y ≫ ∂ T ∂ z https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429355998/62e2721a-099d-408e-981e-8955c4bb5132/content/eq129.tif"/> . The top edge is subjected to non-uniform heat input with sinusoidal temperature distribution. This kind of Dirichlet boundary condition is relevant from the viewpoint of practical applications. The side edges and the bottom edge are maintained isothermally cold at the ambient temperature. The plate is composed of two sections, each with a different value of thermal conductivity. Contact resistance is neglected. The heat transfer through the plate is studied numerically by employing the Finite Volume Method. The temperature field is visualised through isotherm plots. The corridors of enthalpy transport are diagrammatically represented through the plots of heatlines. The fraction of thermal energy dissipated through each of the side and bottom edges are calculated.
