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Thermal Performance of Lightweight Steel Framed Facade Walls Using Thermal Break Strips and ETICS: 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

The thermal performance of lightweight steel framed (LSF) facade walls depends on many factors, such as the steel studs, the batt insulation, the external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS), and the sheathing layers. Moreover, the high thermal conductivity of steel could negatively affect their thermal performance due to the consequent thermal bridge effect. Furthermore, in LSF walls, the batt insulation is usually bridged by the steel studs. Thus, some analytical calculation procedures defined in standards (e.g., ISO 6946) are not valid, further complicating their thermal performance quantification. In this research, a parametric study to evaluate the thermal performance of facade LSF walls is presented. Seven relevant parameters are assessed, most of them related to the use of thermal break strips (TBS) and ETICS. The 2D numerical models used to predict the conductive R -values were experimentally validated, and their precision was successfully verified. As earlier found in a previous research work for partition LSF walls, it is also more effective for facades to increase the TBS thickness rather than their width, with the R -value increments being slightly smaller for facade LSF walls. These features were more pronounced for double TBS and for the smaller stud spacing (400 mm). The major thermal performance improvements were found when increasing the ETICS insulation thickness and decreasing their thermal conductivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulo Santos & Paulo Lopes & David Abrantes, 2023. "Thermal Performance of Lightweight Steel Framed Facade Walls Using Thermal Break Strips and ETICS: A Parametric Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-16, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:1699-:d:1061949
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    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. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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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    Cited by:

    1. Domagoj Tkalčić & Bojan Milovanović & Mergim Gaši & Marija Jelčić Rukavina & Ivana Banjad Pečur, 2023. "Optimization of Thermal Bridges Effect of Composite Lightweight Panels with Integrated Steel Load-Bearing Structure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-24, September.

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