This webinar was co-sponsored by ASCE's Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) and ASCE Continuing Education

Purpose and Background

What role does the structural engineer play in creating energy efficient building envelopes? More than most practicing engineers think! For better or worse, a building’s thermal envelope cannot be separated from its structure. Accordingly, some structural details can undermine the energy performance of the building, due to effects such as thermal bridging of structural elements across the building insulation. This webinar presents a simple methodology for estimating the maximum potential for the reduction of effective Rvalue of insulation due to discontinuities that create parallel heat paths through a building envelope.

Using infrared images, we’ll review the visual evidence of heat loss through structural thermal bridges – both superstructures and foundations. Then, the presenter offers some suggestions for alternative details that minimize energy loss by utilizing techniques such as using less conductive materials and minimizing the amount of conductive elements that pass through the insulated envelope. You may never detail building structures the same way again!

Learning Outcomes

• Compare the energy loss potential of structural building details that allow thermal bridging, compared to an insulated envelope with no bridging
• Identify structural details that can compromise a building envelope’s performance
• Become familiar with different structural detailing strategies that minimize building envelope energy loss
• Contrast the energy loss potential of different foundation and slab edge details

Webinar Benefits

• Review the basics of conductive heat flow in building envelopes
• Learn how thermal bridging can significantly compromise effective R-values
• Understand what makes structural details poor thermal performers
• Identify the worst envelope details and see proof of their poor performance
• Learn at least three strategies to minimize envelope energy loss through structural details
• Review the types of proprietary products that minimize building energy loss
• Learn the options of foundation and slab edge insulation

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

Structural engineers who design buildings with conditioned interior spaces will benefit from this webinar. Attendees who have a basic understanding of the design and construction of building foundations, walls, and roofs will benefit from this webinar.

Webinar Outline

• Introduction
• Basics of conductive heat transfer for structural engineers
• Structural details that allow building energy loss
• Strategies to address thermal bridging
• Foundation and slab edge insulation

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