Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Online

My new topic for my research project is based on thermal bridging across highrise balconies
in Kamloops or desert areas like Kamloops. This outline and abstract should be helpfull in the way to inform you of the different methods that are used to minimize thermal bridging. Also to describe each way in detail and analyse the different types of balconies, such as closed or open.

7 comments:

Cari said...

Heh Jeremy this looked like an interesting site on rainscreen systems. It talks about the forces that push water into the building and it has some good pictures. I hope this is usefull.

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=70139

Dale Parkes said...

Sorry Jeremy, I got your topic mixed up with John's. Here is a link to the article that I have for you. I hope that it will inspire your research. http://www.halfen.co.uk/pdfs/white_papers/balconies.pdf

Derek Anderson said...

Jeremy, found a couple sites that might help your research. One is from Halfen USA, and the other is from Contech. They both have some good performance data and pictures.

http://www.halfenusa.com/pdfs/HIT-Balcony%20Connection%20System.pdf

http://www.contech-accessories.ie/ct/ThermalBridging

Dale Parkes said...

I was in contact with a sales rep for Halfen USA and he informed me that the Halfen HIT system costs about $100 per linear foot.

Your planning outline is looking better. Keep in mind that this research must be applied to something (for example, a high-rise building in Kamloops). Also, make sure that you look at all the alternatives like enclosed balconies, and steel balconies.

Matt said...

Hey Jery, this seems like a similar sorta green initiative topic like mine. I found a PDF for you that may have some useful energy charts for refernce numbers and examples. Thanks for the pdf on Waste Heat Recovery, do you have any suggestions to narrow my research?

url
http://www.mtcc1170.com/images/healthyhighrise.pdf

Dale Parkes said...

Hi Jeremy,
To respond to your question (below), the enclosed balcony is a regular balcony that is enclosed with a glass wall, essentially making it an interior space and negating the need for the HIT system. The key to a good enclosed balcony is being able to open it up when you want to. This is tricky to detail, which is why most designers hate enclosed balconies. Perhaps I will have my friend at IBI/HB send you an e-mail about why she hates them.


Jeremy Jones has left a new comment on the post "Helpful Hints":

Dale we breifly talked about open or closed balconies and how they are a personal choice. Is there any structural difference other then the encloser above the railings? or is the concrete slab blacony the same for both? and both use the HIT or other ones?

Jeremy Jones said...

Dale i think that her expert opinion would be helpful for my poll that i am conducting for enclosed and open balconies.

Planning Outline

Project:

Ways to minimize thermal bridging in balconies of high rise buildings. To recognize the pro’s and con’s for the different types of methods used in construction. And be able to understand why some are chosen over others.

Methods:

1. Research the different types of methods to eliminate thermal bridging. The Halfen HIT system, BX system, BQ system, and ISOTEC.

2. Analyze the different systems used. How they are built? What materials are used in the construction?

3. Compare each type of method their similarities and methods. Which is more beneficial?

4. Which type is more commonly used in construction?

5. Understand how thermal bridging occurs in balconies of high rise buildings.

Special Problems:

1. How do these methods compare to earlier attempts at eliminating thermal bridging?

2. Is there a way to completely eliminate it or just slow the process down?

3. How do the curtains walls conflict with thermal bridging across concrete balconies?

4. What are the costs, which is more expensive, and which is least expensive? If the quality is better should cost matter?

Also:

1. Which method is best for commercial use?

2. Determining what method is able to eliminate the thermal bridging entirely?

3. Which is more environmentally friendly? Or are they all the same?

Concrete Slab

Concrete Slab

Revised Outline

Project:

What methods can be applied to highrise buildings in kamloops to minimize thermal bridging across balconies. Analyze the different methods and compare them.

Methods:

1. Research the different types of methods used to minimize thermal bridging. Halfen HIT system, ISOTECH.

2. Difference in open and closed balconies. How steel or concrete balconies deal with thermal bridging.

3.What method is more beneficial? And how can it be applied to a climate type like Kamloops?

4. Is one method more superior than the other? If so, what is the difference and why is it better?

5. Understand what thermal bridging is and why it occurs.

Speacial Problems:

1. How do these methods compare to past attempts at eliminating thermal bridging? Is there even a difference.

2. Is there a way to completely eliminate it or just slow the process down?

3. How do the curtains walls conflict with thermal bridging across concrete balconies?

4. What are the costs, which is more expensive, and which is least expensive? If the quality is better should cost matter?

Also:

1. How does the building envelope relate to thermal bridging across balconies?

2. Determining what method is able to eliminate the thermal bridging entirely?

3. Which is more environmentally friendly? Or are they all the same?

4. Can HVAC systems help to eliminate thermal bridging? Heating and cooling of HVAC systems may help the cause.

Abstract

To minimize thermal bridging across high rise balconies there are some different methods hat can be applied to the construction process. First of all balconies can be either be constructed of individual steel sections or concrete. Some developers prefer to use concrete because of its durability and life span, but have an insurmountable thermal bridge issue. Steel sections conduct heat much more readily than concrete and steel sections bolted back to the building create less of continuous thermal bridge.

Thermal bridging can be minimized by the type of material used. For example, concrete slabs versus steel sections bolted back. Both have their pro’s and con's and are used in different scenarios. A company called Halfen has designed a balcony or system for a balcony to minimize the thermal bridge. It's called the HIT System and is used on pre-cast balconies. Halfen also makes another system called BX. The difference in these two methods is how the HIT link and the HIT shear reinforcement are connected inside the pre-cast.

Special conditions involving concrete balconies are condensation and drainage. If the insulation layer is bridged by the concrete balcony the likely result is condensation and mould on the underside of the concrete slab. Concrete balconies usually have a waterproof membrane and a direct drain outlet. Smaller balconies are drained by discharge going over the front edge. Steel and timber balconies often have a permeable deck. The deck can be timber decking or steel mesh, which allows water to drip down onto the balconies directly below. This type of ‘open’ deck is unsatisfactory for balconies on lower floors.

The cost of these balconies depends on the amount of material needed. Concrete is 3 - 4$ per cubic yard, and depending on the height of the building it could go up from there. You can order the HIT and BX type systems from Halfen USA for 100$ per linear foot.

Minimization of thermal bridging is possible, its how we effectively use the methods and materials readily availible to accomplish this goal. Thermal bridges in balconies of high rise buildings will be minimal or completely gone.