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Thermal Performance of Load-Bearing, Lightweight, Steel-Framed Partition Walls Using Thermal Break Strips: A Parametric Study

Author

Listed:
  • Paulo Santos

    (ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Paulo Lopes

    (ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • David Abrantes

    (ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

Thermal bridges are a very relevant issue for lightweight steel-framed (LSF) construction systems given the high thermal conductivity of steel, which can negatively compromise their thermal behaviour, reduce their durability, and decrease the building energy efficiency. Several thermal bridge mitigation strategies exist, including the attachment of thermal break strips (TBS) to the steel studs’ flanges as one of the most widely employed techniques. In this research, the relevance of TBS to the thermal performance improvement of load-bearing LSF partition walls was assessed by performing a parametric study, making use of a validated 2D numerical model. A sensitivity analysis was performed for five different key parameters, and their importance was evaluated. The assessed parameters included the number of TBS and their thickness, width, and thermal conductivity, as well as the vertical steel stud spacing. We found that these parameters were all relevant. Moreover, regardless of the TBS thermal conductivity, it is always worth increasing their thickness. However, the increase in the TBS width does not always lead to increased thermal resistance; a thermal performance reduction was noted when increasing the width of the TBS at higher thermal conductivities. Therefore, it was concluded that it is more efficient to increase TBS thickness than their width.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulo Santos & Paulo Lopes & David Abrantes, 2022. "Thermal Performance of Load-Bearing, Lightweight, Steel-Framed Partition Walls Using Thermal Break Strips: A Parametric Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:24:p:9271-:d:995914
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paulo Santos & Keerthan Poologanathan, 2021. "The Importance of Stud Flanges Size and Shape on the Thermal Performance of Lightweight Steel Framed Walls," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Soares, N. & Santos, P. & Gervásio, H. & Costa, J.J. & Simões da Silva, L., 2017. "Energy efficiency and thermal performance of lightweight steel-framed (LSF) construction: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 194-209.
    3. Paulo Santos & Gabriela Lemes & Diogo Mateus, 2020. "Analytical Methods to Estimate the Thermal Transmittance of LSF Walls: Calculation Procedures Review and Accuracy Comparison," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-27, February.
    4. Paulo Santos & Gabriela Lemes & Diogo Mateus, 2019. "Thermal Transmittance of Internal Partition and External Facade LSF Walls: A Parametric Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Al-Sanea, Sami A. & Zedan, M.F., 2012. "Effect of thermal bridges on transmission loads and thermal resistance of building walls under dynamic conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 584-593.
    6. Paulo Santos & Diogo Mateus & Daniel Ferrandez & Amparo Verdu, 2022. "Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of Thermal Break Strips’ Improvement in Facade LSF Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, November.
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