This document discusses the thermal performance of concrete masonry. It covers utilizing thermal mass advantages, selecting insulation systems, addressing thermal bridging, and controlling air infiltration. Some key points include how thermal mass can decrease heating and cooling loads, how insulation selection depends on climate and design criteria, how thermal bridging can increase heat loss, and how air infiltration accounts for a large portion of energy use. Proper insulation strategies and air sealing are important to optimize thermal performance.

1. Thermal Performance of
Concrete Masonry
NCMA Presentation #: 000502-01
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2. AIA Disclaimer Notice
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continuing professional education. As such, it does not
include content that may be deemed or construed to be an
approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and
services will be addressed at the conclusion of this
presentation.

3. Thermal Performance of
Concrete Masonry
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1.0: Utilizing Thermal Mass Advantages
2.0: Selection of the Insulation System
3.0: Thermal Bridging
4.0: Control of Air Infiltration

4. Thermal Performance of
Concrete Masonry
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•Approximately 22% of the total energy
consumed for building operations is used
to heat and cool commercial structures.
•About 25% is used to heat and cool
residential structures.

5. 1.0
Thermal Mass Advantages
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Thermal Mass
Advantages

6. 1.0
Effects of Environment
on System Performance
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Thermal & Energy
Heat Gain / Loss
Interior Moisture
Reduced Energy Efficiency

7. 1.0
Utilizing Mass Advantages
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on its thermal resistance (R-Value) as well
as thermal mass.
R-Value of
masonry
• Size and Type of Unit
is determined
by the
following
characteristics • Type and Location of Insulation
• Finish Materials
• Density of Masonry

8. 1.0
Utilizing Mass Advantages
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THERMAL MASS: Materials with mass
heat capacity and surface area are
capable of affecting building loads by
storing and releasing heat as the interior
and/or exterior temperature and radiant
conditions fluctuate.
Thermal mass tends to decrease both
heating and cooling loads in a given
building.

9. 1.0
Utilizing Mass Advantage
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dependent upon:
•Climate
Commercial
buildings
have peak
loads during •Building Design
the average •Fenestration, •Orientation
work day
•Occupancy, •Heat Sources
9:00 - 5:00
•Insulation Position
Residential
buildings
have peak
loads that
start earlier
•Wall Heat Capacity
and last later
into the
evening

10. 1.0
Utilizing Mass Advantages
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Buildings constructed with masonry can
require 18% - 70% less insulation than
similar frame buildings, while still
providing an equivalent level of energy
efficient performance.
Thermal storage is the temporary storage
of high or low temperature energy for later
use. It allows a time gap between energy
use an daily availability. Using thermal
storage, heating or cooling energy is stored
so that it is available for space conditioning
during peak demand periods.

11. 1.0
Utilizing Mass Advantages
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Services Standard 90.1 =
Energy Standard for
Buildings
Except Low-Rise
Residential Buildings.
This
standard Proper
allows management of a
owners and
builders to building’s thermal
take storage has
advantage of
thermal
resulted in 10-35%
mass to reductions in
reduce the peak electrical
requirement
for added use in commercial
insulation. buildings.

12. 1.0
Thermal Mass Advantages
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8
ASHRAE 7
90.1 Minimum
6
R-Value
The standard Masonry Bldg
recommends
5
a maximum 4
glass area Steel Frame
of 50%. 3 Bldg
If smaller 2
areas of
fenestration
1
are used, a 0
further Non- High-rise Semi-heated
reduction in residential residential (Warehouse)
R-value can
be provided SAN FRANSISCO
with the use
of masonry

13. 1.0
Thermal Mass Advantages
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8
7
6
Minimum
R-Value
5 Masonry Bldg
4
Steel Frame
3 Bldg
2
1
0
Non-residential High-rise Semi-heated
residential (Warehouse)
PHOENIX

14. 2.0
Selection of Insulation Materials
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Selection of Insulation
Materials

15. 2.0
Selection of the Insulation System
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Services Criteria for insulation selection
•Desired Thermal Properties
•Climate Conditions
•Ease of Construction
•Cost
•Additional Design Criteria

16. 2.0
Selection of the Insulation System
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Loose-fill insulation Polyurethane
Perlite Vermiculite foamed insulation Solid grouted
density range mid range mid range mid range mid
Exposed 85 6.3-8.2 7.1 5.9-7.5 6.6 6.9-9.4 8.0 1.9-2.1 2.0
block, 95 5.3-7.2 6.1 5.0-6.7 5.7 5.8-8.1 6.7 1.7-2.0 1.8
both 105 4.5-6.3 5.2 4.3-5.9 4.9 4.8-7.0 5.6 1.6-1.9 1.7
sides 115 3.8-5.5 4.4 3.7-5.2 4.3 4.0-6.0 4.7 1.5-1.8 1.6
125 3.2-4.8 3.8 3.1-4.6 3.7 3.3-5.1 4.0 1.5-1.7 1.5
135 2.7-4.2 3.3 2.7-4.0 3.2 2.8-4.4 3.4 1.4-1.6 1.5
Representative R-Values for 8 in. Normal Weight Concrete Masonry Units

17. Wall Assemblies
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Interior Insulated Wall
This strategy moderates the effect
of exterior temperature swings on
the building’s interior

18. Wall Assemblies
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Exterior Insulated Wall
Thermal mass is most effective
when insulation is placed on the
exterior of the masonry wall.
This strategy keeps masonry
directly in contact with interior
conditioned air.

19. Wall Assemblies
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CAVITY WALL

20. Wall Assemblies
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Core Insulated Wall
(Inserts)

21. 2.0
Selecting Insulation
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22. 2.0
Selecting Insulation
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Insulation
Strategies

23. Wall Assemblies
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Core Insulated Wall
(Loose-fill / Expanded foam)

24. 2.0
Selecting Insulation
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Services Insulation
Strategies

25. 2.0
Selecting Insulation
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Insulation
Strategies

26. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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27. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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Thermal bridging occurs when a
relatively small area of the wall,
floor, or roof loses more
heat than the surrounding area.
A thermal bridge allows to heat to short
circuit insulation
Thermal bridging is associated with
conduction heat transfer, where heat flows
through solid materials from warmer to
colder areas.

28. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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Wall Design
Considerations
Pathways
1. Intersection @ Parapet and Roof
2. Intersection @ 2nd Floor
3. Intersection @ Slab
4. At-Grade / Retaining

29. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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Thermal bridges can occur at:
•Where building elements are joined
THERMAL •Floors, roofs, beams
CONDUCTIVITY
•Improper installation of materials
ability of • Gaps in insulation
masonry to •Through materials that are good conductors
conduct heat
•Nails, steel framing
Lightweight
units 2.5 (80
pcf)
Heavy weight
8.3 (140 pcf)

30. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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Possible Effects of Thermal
Bridging
•Increased heat loss
•Local cold spots on the interior
•Condensation
•Damage to insulation

31. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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Services Thermal bridging effects can be
magnified by heat and moisture
transfer due to air movement.
Proper installation of vapor and air barriers can greatly
reduce moisture damage caused by thermal bridging.

32. 3.0
Thermal Bridging
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1. REDUCE TANSFERENCE
OF MOISTURE THROUGH
WEBS
2. INCREASE THERMAL
PERFORMANCE
3. REDUCE LABOR
INTENSITY

33. 4.0
Control of Air infiltration
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34. 4.0
Control of Air infiltration
Continuing
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leakage into conditioned
spaces of buildings. Its direct
result is an increase of energy
consumption to maintain
desired levels of human
comfort.
Infiltration can come from a
myriad of cracks, gaps, poorly
designed joints, flashing, utility
penetrations and window and
door frames.

35. 4.0
Control of Air infiltration
Continuing
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Services not have sill
plates as wood frame Control of Infiltration
buildings do.
Masonry construction is
Infiltration
accounts for
a continuous
40% of the assembly. This means
total heating that infiltration
and cooling is significantly reduced
load for the
average in a masonry
house. structure
Based on
research, the
use of a
waterproofed
masonry wall
can reduce
infiltration by
87%

36. 4.0
Control of Air infiltration
Continuing
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systems
10%
Windows
COST vs
BENEFIT 31% 11% Doors
Simply HVAC
increasing Elec. Outlets
R-value Pipes
becomes 15%
Vents
less
economical. 2% Fireplace
Required
14% Wall, Sill, Ceiling
4% 13%
changes in
construction
practices
must be
considered.

37. 4.0
Control of Air infiltration
1
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Wall Strategies
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2
1. Indoor vapor retarder in cold
climates. Delete in hot, humid 3
climates.
2. Adhesive attachment
preferred (mechanical
attachments optional).
3. Caulk or foam joints
between board insulation.
4
4. Caulk and seal utility
penetrations.