PDF 4.401 Lecture 12 Thermal Mass and Heat Flow
Thermal Mass [TM] is the ability of a building component to store heat while experiencing a temperature change. The thermal mass of an element depends on its volume as well as its volumetric heat capacity.
6.2.1. Thermal Elements for the Structural Region Typically, the solid region should be meshed with 2D or 3D continuum elements . 1D elements serve to couple these regions. The 0-D element can be used to represent a lumped mass (that is, a reduced-order model of a continuum region).
Essential guide to thermal mass flowmeters for every application ...

Furthermore, visual representations like the one above help us fully grasp the concept of Thermal Mass Element.
Thermal mass flowmeters As a distinct class of flowmeters, thermal mass devices can be divided into two main types: The " thermal dispersion" (aka anemometric) principle (Fig. 1): A heated element is exposed to the flow. The rate of cooling is a measure of local specific mass velocity and therefore flow. The "calorimetric" principle (Fig ...
Power Source (or heat source) Temperature Source Mass Transfer (fluid flow) Key Concept: Quantities in Thermal Systems Introduction There are two fundamental physical elements that make up thermal systems, thermal resistances and thermal capacitance. There are also three sources of heat, a power source, a temperature source, and fluid flow.
The thermal mass of emitters and underfloor heating systems are captured in a separate manner from the building elements or the internal air. This thermal mass is not included in a heat balance node and instead is represented within the emitter model (see HEM-TP-16 Heat emitters), which is included within the zone heat flow network via the ...

Such details provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for Thermal Mass Element.
Thermal mass In building design, thermal mass is a property of the matter of a building that requires a flow of heat in order for it to change temperature. Not all writers agree on what physical property of matter " thermal mass " describes. Most writers use it as a synonym for heat capacity, the ability of a body to store thermal energy.
Building Fabric 06
Thermal mass design can help maintain a steady temperature in a building, keeping buildings cool during summer and reduce space heating in winter.

Thermal mass is a material property that can help reduce temperature fluctuations throughout the day. Thermal mass materials achieve this effect by absorbing heat during periods of high solar insolation, and releasing heat when the surrounding air begins to cool.
Thermal Mass
The Thermal Mass block represents a thermal mass that reflects the ability of a material, or a combination of materials, to store internal energy.