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The Importance of Stud Flanges Size and Shape on the Thermal Performance of Lightweight Steel Framed Walls

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  • Paulo Santos

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, ISISE, Pólo II, Rua Luís Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Keerthan Poologanathan

    (Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK)

Abstract

Energy production still relies considerably on fossil fuels, and the building sector is a major player in the energy consumption market, mainly for space heating and cooling. Thermal bridges (TBs) in buildings are very relevant for the energy efficiency of buildings and may have an impact on heating energy needs of up to 30%. Given the high thermal conductivity of steel, the relevance of TBs in lightweight steel framed (LSF) components could be even greater. No research was found in the literature for evaluating how important the size and shape of steel studs are on the thermal performance of LSF building elements, which is the main objective of this work. This assessment is performed for the internal partitions and exterior façade of load-bearing LSF walls. The accuracy of the numerical model used in the simulations was verified and validated by comparison experimental measurements. Three reference steel studs were considered, six stud flange lengths and four steel thicknesses were evaluated, and five flange indentation sizes and four indent filling materials were assessed, corresponding to a total of 246 modelled LSF walls. It was concluded that the R -value decreases when the flange length and the steel studs’ thickness increases, being that these variations are more significant for bigger flange sizes and for thicker steel studs. Additionally, it was found that a small indentation size (2.5 or 5 mm) is enough to provide a significant R -value increase and that it is preferable not to use any flange indentation filling material rather than using a poor performance one (recycled rubber).

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3970-:d:529350
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Victor Lohmann & Paulo Santos, 2020. "Trombe Wall Thermal Behavior and Energy Efficiency of a Light Steel Frame Compartment: Experimental and Numerical Assessments," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, May.
    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.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Paulo Santos & Telmo Ribeiro, 2021. "Thermal Performance Improvement of Double-Pane Lightweight Steel Framed Walls Using Thermal Break Strips and Reflective Foils," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, October.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.

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