Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems
Thermal bridges significantly affect the thermal performance of light steel framing systems due to the high thermal conductivity of steel. The objective of this study is to identify modifications on the steel profiles to reduce heat flux and improve the thermal resistance of both single- and double-...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/194 |
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| author | Marcelo Langner Thais A. Soares António Figueiredo Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida Romeu Vicente |
| author_facet | Marcelo Langner Thais A. Soares António Figueiredo Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida Romeu Vicente |
| author_sort | Marcelo Langner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermal bridges significantly affect the thermal performance of light steel framing systems due to the high thermal conductivity of steel. The objective of this study is to identify modifications on the steel profiles to reduce heat flux and improve the thermal resistance of both single- and double-layer wall panels. Three approaches were analyzed: (i) slotted steel studs, (ii) integration of less-conductive materials into the web section, and (iii) modifications to web geometry. A numerical model was calibrated based on experimental data and used to perform dynamic simulations with different configurations. Results show that incorporating less-conductive materials, such as rigid polyamide, achieved a heat flux reduction of up to 98%, while optimized slotted patterns reduced heat flux by up to 90%. The results also demonstrated that all web modifications effectively reduced heat flux through the wall, with approaches (i) and (ii) showing the greatest impact. The shape of the slots also has an important impact on the heat flux. The most effective strategy for enhancing the thermal performance of the steel studs was the use of a less-conductive material. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a460350d5cec405aa90d9eb7d27807dd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-a460350d5cec405aa90d9eb7d27807dd2025-01-24T13:26:08ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-01-0115219410.3390/buildings15020194Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction SystemsMarcelo Langner0Thais A. Soares1António Figueiredo2Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida3Romeu Vicente4CERIS—Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability, Civil Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalCERIS—Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability, Civil Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalCERIS—Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability, Civil Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, PortugalCERIS—Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability, Civil Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalThermal bridges significantly affect the thermal performance of light steel framing systems due to the high thermal conductivity of steel. The objective of this study is to identify modifications on the steel profiles to reduce heat flux and improve the thermal resistance of both single- and double-layer wall panels. Three approaches were analyzed: (i) slotted steel studs, (ii) integration of less-conductive materials into the web section, and (iii) modifications to web geometry. A numerical model was calibrated based on experimental data and used to perform dynamic simulations with different configurations. Results show that incorporating less-conductive materials, such as rigid polyamide, achieved a heat flux reduction of up to 98%, while optimized slotted patterns reduced heat flux by up to 90%. The results also demonstrated that all web modifications effectively reduced heat flux through the wall, with approaches (i) and (ii) showing the greatest impact. The shape of the slots also has an important impact on the heat flux. The most effective strategy for enhancing the thermal performance of the steel studs was the use of a less-conductive material.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/194heat fluxlight steel framingthermal bridgesslotted steel studsgeometry optimizationparametric analysis |
| spellingShingle | Marcelo Langner Thais A. Soares António Figueiredo Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida Romeu Vicente Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems Buildings heat flux light steel framing thermal bridges slotted steel studs geometry optimization parametric analysis |
| title | Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems |
| title_full | Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems |
| title_fullStr | Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems |
| title_short | Parametric Analysis of Steel Studs to Reduce Thermal Bridges in Light Steel Framing Construction Systems |
| title_sort | parametric analysis of steel studs to reduce thermal bridges in light steel framing construction systems |
| topic | heat flux light steel framing thermal bridges slotted steel studs geometry optimization parametric analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/194 |
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