Assessment of the thermal efficiency, structure and fire resistance of lightweight building systems for optimized design

摘要

The use of lightweight building systems is very controversial as existingudknowledge about their performance is limited. Not enough research hasudbeen conducted to determine the suitability of these modern constructionudtechnologies and there is an ongoing controversy as to whether they are anudappropriate replacement to traditional construction techniques. The prime objective of this study is to present a number of methodologiesudto assess lightweight external walling systems focusing on thermaludefficiency, structure and fire performance, which are currently the mainuddriving forces for this industry. Traditionally, these areas have beenudstudied separately but there is a need to integrate them in order to getudcomprehensive solutions to the way these systems are designed. The driveudto achieve improvements in one of these specific areas could potentiallyudresult in reduced effectiveness in the others. That is the reason why anudintegrative approach is recommended. These techniques are meant to beudapplied in the design phase of building projects so as to provide earlyudquantitative information about the systems analyzed.udThe methodologies described herein are then applied to real life light steeludbuilding solutions. Within this context, two different wall constructions areudexamined and conclusions made on their relative performance. The study highlights the importance of having analytical and experimental solutionsudas a framework for further development. Two different approaches haveudbeen considered to assess thermal efficiency, structure and fireudperformance. On the one hand, a prescriptive approach has been employedudto establish regulation compliance. On the other hand, a performanceudbased approach is taken to actually understand and explain how theseudsystems work in real life conditions. The outcome is a comprehensive set ofudtools to assure both industry and other stake holders.