Structuring Sustainable Thermal Breaks: Opportunities and Liabilities
Publication: Structures Congress 2010
Abstract
The connections of the superstructure to the foundation, slab, or the exterior systems of walls and roofs represent a transmissive bridge through the building's thermal and environmental protection system, because of the prevalent use of carbon steel ties, support and fasteners. However this common condition provides structural engineers' with opportunities to enhance the facility's energy use performance by advancing detailing to create thermal breaks. The use of lower conductance foams, wood framing, stainless steels, masonry products, etc. in the connections will be illustrated, in lieu of conventional concrete and steel juxtapositions. Design methods and case study details and specifications will be shown. Potential issues with life-safety and code interpretations or the material behavior will be discussed. With a growing understanding of building energy performance problems in the industry, the paper will attempt to encourage designers to advocate and develop a wider, varied employment of thermal breaks on each project.
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Copyright
© 2010 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 26, 2012
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Bridge foundations
- Building design
- Building insulation
- Building systems
- Business management
- Caissons
- Connections (structural)
- Design (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Foundations
- Geotechnical engineering
- Legal affairs
- Liability
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Practice and Profession
- Steel structures
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Structures (by type)
- Sustainable development
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