Empirical_and_Computational_Evidence_for_Thermal_Mass.pdf (2.32 MB)
Empirical and computational evidence for thermal mass assessment: The example of insulating concrete formwork
journal contribution
posted on 2019-03-05, 11:25 authored by Eirini Mantesi, Christina Hopfe, Konstantinos Mourkos, Jacqui Glass, Malcolm CookMalcolm CookInsulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) is a site-based Modern Method of Construction (MMC). As a MMC, ICF has several
advantages; increased speed of construction, cost and defect reduction, safety, among others. Moreover, the ICF wall
construction method has similar benefits to any other heavyweight structure (such as strength, durability, noise
attenuation). However, its thermal performance is not yet well-researched and understood. Using computational analysis
and empirical evaluation, the aim of this research was to analyse the thermal performance of an existing ICF building;
and to develop evidence about its transient thermal behaviour and how the latter is affected by the inherent thermal
inertia of the concrete core. The results demonstrated that the ICF fabric showed a slow response to changes in boundary
conditions, providing a stable internal environment. The concrete core of ICF was found to act as a buffer to the heat
flow, reducing the transmission losses by 37%, compared to a lightweight wall with equivalent insulation. The analysis
showed that although ICF is mostly considered as an insulated panel, the element’s thermal mass is not as decoupled
from the internal space, as has been thought the case.
Funding
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Construction Engineering at Loughborough University for the provision of a grant (number EPG037272) to undertake this research project, in collaboration with Aggregate Industries UK Ltd.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Published in
Energy and BuildingsVolume
188-9Pages
314-332Citation
MANTESI, E. ... et al., 2019. Empirical and computational evidence for thermal mass assessment: The example of insulating concrete formwork. Energy and Buildings, 188–189, pp. 314-332.Publisher
© Elsevier BVVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publisher statement
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Energy and Buildings and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.02.021Acceptance date
2019-02-17Publication date
2019-02-18Copyright date
2019ISSN
0378-7788Publisher version
Language
- en