Evaluation of the criticality of thermal bridges

Ilomets, Simo; Kalamees, Targo

doi:10.1007/s41024-016-0005-6

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The health risk of mould had been assessed in a previous review [ 8 ]. In many countries, mould and dampness caused by critical thermal bridges is a reason why energy efficiency interventions were performed [ 87 ]. Thus, it is important to consider thermal bridges as a cause of indoor mould growth after improving insulation in buildings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Associations between Energy Use, Fuel Poverty, Energy Efficiency Improvements and Health

Wang

Norbäck

2022

IJERPH

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Energy use in buildings can influence the indoor environment. Studies on green buildings, energy saving measures, energy use, fuel poverty, and ventilation have been reviewed, following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The database PubMed was searched for articles published up to 1 October 2020. In total, 68 relevant peer-reviewed epidemiological or exposure studies on radon, biological agents, and chemicals were included. The main aim was to assess current knowledge on how energy saving measures and energy use can influence health. The included studies concluded that buildings classified as green buildings can improve health. More efficient heating and increased thermal insulation can improve health in homes experiencing fuel poverty. However, energy-saving measures in airtight buildings and thermal insulation without installation of mechanical ventilation can impair health. Energy efficiency retrofits can increase indoor radon which can cause lung cancer. Installation of a mechanical ventilation systems can solve many of the negative effects linked to airtight buildings and energy efficiency retrofits. However, higher ventilation flow can increase the indoor exposure to outdoor air pollutants in areas with high levels of outdoor air pollution. Finally, future research needs concerning energy aspects of buildings and health were identified.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Associations between Energy Use, Fuel Poverty, Energy Efficiency Improvements and Health

Wang

Norbäck

2022

IJERPH

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“…Static simulation software is widely used to assess the criticality of thermal bridges [5,6] and to calculate linear thermal transmittance of building envelope connections [7,8]. To calculate temperature factor for structures in connection with ground by using constant outdoor temperature gives unrealistic results because no opportunity to consider heat capacity of soil and variable outdoor temperatures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal performance of wedge pile slab foundation without frost protection insulation and highly insulated slab on ground floor – first year measurements

Lomp,

Kalamees,

Hallik

et al. 2023

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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In the Nordic countries frost insulation is necessary if the foundation is above the frost-free depth. The thermal performance of the pile foundations is between a shallow ground foundation and a frost wall foundation. The pile ends extend below the frost line to help insulate the ground beneath a building’s foundation. The ends of the piles extend below the frost line to prevent the foundation of the building from frost heaving. However, there may be a risk that the ground below the slab on ground may freeze and frost heaving may occur there. The risk of frost below the slab on ground floor and/or basement increases because increasing thickness of floor insulation remarkable influences frost insulation dimensioning. In this study a 6.5 × 17-meter size uninsulated wedge pile slab foundation with highly insulated (U=0.07 W/(m2·K)) slab on ground floor was constructed for a heated building and equipped with temperature, soil moisture, relative humidity, and heat flux sensors. Seven temperature measurement piles below the building and one for reference 8 meters far from the building reached a depth of up to 3.2 meters, which is deeper than the usual 1.4 m depth to avoid freezing in foundation design. In three places, the temperature below the insulation of slab on the ground is measured at 0.5 meters step up to 3 meters from the outer wall of the building. The first-year measurement results showed that temperature did not drop below the zero degree below the foundation and floor. Even though during winter the daily average absolute minimum temperature was -24 °C the sum of degree hours below the zero degree was -7300 °Ch. The historic 50-year absolute sum of minimum degree hours below the zero degree was -28600 °Ch. In addition to real measurement results this three-dimensional temperature sensor field helps to calibrate and validate dynamic model for temperature simulation of thermal performance of wedge pile slab foundation without frost protection insulation and highly insulated slab on ground floor.

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“…Unfortunately, the negative effects caused by moisture are more apparent in energy-efficient buildings due to some energy-saving methods, e.g., the application of the thermal insulation layer [9]. Whereas the above issues could be apparently magnified by thermal bridges because the transfer process of heat and moisture in the thermal bridge area differs from that in other areas [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The moisture distribution in wall-to-floor thermal bridges and its influence on mould growth

Xue

Fan

2022

Preprint

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Moisture in the building envelopes increase the energy consumption of buildings and induce mould growth, which may be amplified within the area of thermal bridges due to their different hygrothermal properties and complex structures. In this study, we aimed to (1) reveal the moisture distribution in the typical thermal bridge (i.e., wall-to-floor thermal bridge, WFTB) and its surrounding area, and (2) investigate the mould growth in the building envelope that includes both WFTB and the main part of the wall, in a humid and hot summer cold winter region of China (Hangzhou City). The transient numerical simulations that lasted for five years were performed to model the moisture distribution. Simulated results indicate that the moisture distribution presents significant seasonal and spatial differences due to the WFTB. The areas where moisture accumulates have a higher risk of mould growth. The thermal insulation layer laid on the exterior surface of WFTB can reduce the overall humidity while uneven moisture distribution, which may promote mould growth and water vapour condensation.

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Evaluation of the criticality of thermal bridges

Cited by 19 publications

References 17 publications

A Systematic Review of Associations between Energy Use, Fuel Poverty, Energy Efficiency Improvements and Health

A Systematic Review of Associations between Energy Use, Fuel Poverty, Energy Efficiency Improvements and Health

Thermal performance of wedge pile slab foundation without frost protection insulation and highly insulated slab on ground floor – first year measurements

The moisture distribution in wall-to-floor thermal bridges and its influence on mould growth

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