THERMAL BREAKS WITHIN A STRUCTURE WITH INTEGRATED INSULATION
A structure with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation includes a foundation. The foundation is configured to support the structure with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a steel frame attached to the foundation which includes a first support beam and a second support beam. The structure with integrated insulation further includes an assembly with integrated insulation which includes a building panel with integrated insulation, the building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the building panel with integrated insulation and is also attached to the second support beam, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the second support beam and the building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam and the second support beam in contact with the building panel with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the building panel with integrated insulation.
This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Feb. 5, 2014 (Attorney Docket No. 10457.1), and entitled, “STRUCTURE WITH INTEGRATED INSULATION”, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety (hereinafter “first related application”).
This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Feb. 5, 2014 (Attorney Docket No. 10457.2), and entitled, “ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS FOR SECURING PORTIONS OF A STRUCTURE WITH INTEGRATED INSULATION TO ONE ANOTHER”, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety (hereinafter “second related application”).
This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Feb. 5, 2014 (Attorney Docket No. 10457.3), and entitled, “ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS FOR SECURING PORTIONS OF A STRUCTURE WITH INTEGRATED INSULATION TO ONE ANOTHER”, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety (hereinafter “third related application”).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONReducing energy usage in buildings has become one of the most widespread goals in the construction industry. Efforts to reduce building energy use are typically focused on the mechanical, electrical and glazing systems and not the structural system. However, one area where structural designers can reduce energy consumption is thermal bridging. Thermal bridging refers to the loss of building energy through thermal conductivity of elements that “bridge” across the insulation of a floor, wall and roof enclosure of a conditioned (i.e., heated or cooled) space when the outside temperature is warmer or colder than the interior space. While all structural framing materials contribute to thermal bridging, the amount of thermal bridging can be reduced.
While the amount of energy loss due to thermal bridging may be significant, not many U.S. structural engineers are currently considering in their building designs. The lack of thermal bridging considerations appears to be due to fundamental misconceptions about the level of impact that a structural engineer's everyday design decisions can have on the thermal efficiency of a structure. There are several reasons for this.
First, there is the unspoken premise held by many structural engineers that their sole purpose is to design an economical system to provide for the building's structural integrity. Energy efficiency is seen as the responsibility of others—architects, mechanical engineers, envelope consultants, energy modelers, and others who understand thermal issues. The thinking is that structural integrity, serviceability, and durability are the areas of focus for the structural engineer.
Second, there does not seem to be a compelling argument to do things differently. Do structural details really make a significant difference in the overall energy performance of a building? How could a wood or a steel plate that extends through the insulation plane of an exterior wall cause very much heat loss? Shouldn't there be hard numbers about how much money will be saved in the occupants' utility bills, so that a real-world comparison can be done between the savings and the cost of modified details using new materials and products to address the issue of thermal bridging?
Finally, if structural engineers are to move from the tried-and-true structural details—wood framing or steel framing and angle legs extending out to support masonry or concrete foundation, continuous wood or steel canopy and balcony beams cantilevering out from the interior structure through the building wall (see
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a structure that accounts for and eliminates thermal bridging whenever possible. Further, there is a need for the structure to meet or exceed the strength requirements of conventional structures.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTSThis Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One example embodiment includes a structure with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation includes a foundation. The foundation is configured to support the structure with integrated insulation and transfer the weight of the structure with integrated insulation to the ground. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a steel frame attached to the foundation. The steel frame includes a first support beam and a second support beam. The structure with integrated insulation further includes an assembly with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation includes a building panel with integrated insulation. The building panel with integrated insulation includes a first surface, a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, a first edge, wherein the first edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and is opposite the first edge. The building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam in contact with the building panel with integrated insulation. The building panel with integrated insulation also being attached to the second support beam, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the building panel with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the building panel with integrated insulation.
Another example embodiment includes a structure with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation includes a foundation. The foundation is configured to support the structure with integrated insulation and transfer the weight of the structure with integrated insulation to the ground. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a steel frame attached to the foundation. The steel frame includes a first support beam and a second support beam. The structure with integrated insulation further includes an assembly with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation includes a first building panel with integrated insulation. The first building panel with integrated insulation includes a first surface, a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, a first edge, wherein the first edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and is opposite the first edge. The first building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the first building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the first building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam in contact with the first building panel with integrated insulation. The first building panel with integrated insulation also being attached to the second support beam, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the first building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the first building panel with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation also includes a second building panel with integrated insulation. The second building panel with integrated insulation includes a first surface, a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the second surface, a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface and is opposite the second edge. The second building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the second support beam on the second surface of the second building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the second building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the second building panel with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation additionally includes a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation.
Another example embodiment includes a structure with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation includes a foundation. The foundation is configured to support the structure with integrated insulation and transfer the weight of the structure with integrated insulation to the ground. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a steel frame attached to the foundation. The steel frame includes a first support beam and a second support beam. The structure with integrated insulation further includes an assembly with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation includes a first building panel with integrated insulation. The first building panel with integrated insulation includes a first surface, a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, a first edge, wherein the first edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and is opposite the first edge. The first building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the first building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the first building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam in contact with the first building panel with integrated insulation. The first building panel with integrated insulation also being attached to the second support beam, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the first building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the first building panel with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation also includes a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation also includes a second building panel with integrated insulation. The second building panel with integrated insulation includes a first surface, a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the second surface, a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface and is opposite the second edge. The second building panel with integrated insulation also includes an indentation in the first surface and a c-channel attached within the indentation. The c-channel does not extend to the first surface and is configured receive the first edge of the first building panel with integrated insulation. The c-channel includes adhesive on the entire surface of the c-channel in contact with the second building panel with integrated insulation. The second building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the second support beam on the second surface of the second building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the second building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the second building panel with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation additionally includes a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
The structure with integrated insulation 100, in addition to being made of materials that better resist heat transfer than a traditional “stick build”, offers greater thermal efficiency by virtue of providing thermal breaks or interruptions of a thermal bridge. A thermal bridge, also called a cold bridge, is a element that penetrates an insulating material. I.e., at thermal bridge is any area of heat transfer caused by a penetration of the insulation layer by a highly conductive or noninsulating material. For example, a thermal bridge can occur in the separation between the interior (or conditioned space) and exterior environments of a building assembly (also known as the building enclosure, building envelope, or thermal envelope).
Thermal bridging is created when materials that are poor thermal insulators come into contact, allowing heat to flow through the path of least thermal resistance (R-value; or a material's effectiveness in resisting the conduction of heat) created, although nearby layers of material separated by airspace allow little heat transfer. Insulation around a thermal bridge is of little help in preventing heat loss or gain due to thermal bridging; the bridging has to be eliminated, rebuilt with a reduced cross-section or with materials that have better insulating properties, or with a section of material with low thermal conductivity installed between metal components to retard the passage of heat through a wall or window assembly, called a thermal break. Therefore, a thermal break is an interruption of a thermal bridge within a structure. Attempting to increase energy efficiency of a structure has little success if thermal bridges exist which allow for heat transfer.
In particular, the adhesive is applied by spraying the adhesive along the entirety of the adjoining member 202 edges. Spraying the adhesive confers a number of advantages. In particular, spraying the adhesive creates a tight seal, which creates a better thermal break (as described above). Further, the adhesive is stronger than the insulating material (i.e., if two roof panels with integrated insulation 110 are glued together and separation is attempted, the insulating material will break before the adhesive fails) which eliminates the need for shear bracing or other structural supports that are required using current construction techniques.
The thermal break 200 is especially critical along a roof ridge line. Because warm air rises, thermal bridging along a ridge line can lead to a high amount of heat loss. I.e., as a structure warms, warmer air rises. As it becomes trapped, it is displaced by newly heated warmer air and its level continues to fall until it reaches areas where the heated air is desired. Therefore, a thermal bridge which is present along the roof ridge line allows the warmest air of the structure to escape (vs. cooler air that is at ground level) reducing the efficiency of the structure.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A structure with integrated insulation, the structure with integrated insulation comprising:
- a foundation, wherein the foundation is configured to: support the structure with integrated insulation; and transfer the weight of the structure with integrated insulation to the ground;
- a steel frame attached to the foundation, the steel frame including: a first support beam; and a second support beam;
- an assembly with integrated insulation, wherein the assembly with integrated insulation: includes a building panel with integrated insulation, the building panel with integrated insulation including: a first surface; a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface; a first edge, wherein the first edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface; and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and is opposite the first edge; the building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam in contact with the building panel with integrated insulation; and the building panel with integrated insulation also being attached to the second support beam, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the building panel with integrated insulation; and
- a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the building panel with integrated insulation.
2. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the second support beam is attached to the second support beam on the first surface of the building panel with integrated insulation.
3. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the second support beam is attached to the second support beam on the second surface of the building panel with integrated insulation.
4. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1 further comprising a covering, the covering configured to completely cover the attachment of the first support structure to the first surface.
5. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the first support beam does not pass through to the second surface.
6. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the first building panel with integrated insulation includes a wall panel with integrated insulation.
7. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the first building panel with integrated insulation includes a floor panel with integrated insulation.
8. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the first building panel with integrated insulation includes a roof panel with integrated insulation.
9. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the first support beam includes a T-beam.
10. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 1, wherein the first support beam includes an I-beam.
11. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 10 further comprising a rim plate, the rim plate configured to attach to the web of the I-beam opposite the building panel with integrated insulation wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the rim plate.
12. A structure with integrated insulation, the structure with integrated insulation comprising:
- a foundation, wherein the foundation is configured to: support the structure with integrated insulation; and transfer the weight of the structure with integrated insulation to the ground;
- a steel frame attached to the foundation, the steel frame including: a first support beam; and a second support beam;
- an assembly with integrated insulation, wherein the assembly with integrated insulation: includes a first building panel with integrated insulation, the first building panel with integrated insulation including: a first surface; a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface; a first edge, wherein the first edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface; and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and is opposite the first edge; the first building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the first building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the first building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam in contact with the first building panel with integrated insulation; includes a second building panel with integrated insulation, the second building panel with integrated insulation including: a first surface; a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the second surface; a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface; and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface and is opposite the second edge; the second building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the second support beam on the second surface of the second building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the second building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the second building panel with integrated insulation; and
- a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation.
13. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 12 further comprising:
- a panel connection configured to attach the first edge of the first building panel with integrated insulation to the second edge of the second building panel with integrated insulation; and
- an adhesive, wherein the adhesive covers the entirety of the first edge of the first building panel and the second edge of the second building panel.
14. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 12, wherein the panel connection includes a tongue on the first edge of the first building panel.
15. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 14, wherein the panel connection includes a groove in the second building panel, wherein the groove is configured to receive the tongue.
16. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 12, wherein the panel connection includes two tongues on the first edge of the building panel.
17. A structure with integrated insulation, the structure with integrated insulation comprising:
- a foundation, wherein the foundation is configured to: support the structure with integrated insulation; and transfer the weight of the structure with integrated insulation to the ground;
- a steel frame attached to the foundation, the steel frame including: a first support beam; and a second support beam;
- an assembly with integrated insulation, wherein the assembly with integrated insulation: includes a first building panel with integrated insulation, the first building panel with integrated insulation including: a first surface; a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface; a first edge, wherein the first edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface; and a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and is opposite the first edge; the first building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the first building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the first support beam and the first building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the first support beam in contact with the first building panel with integrated insulation; includes a second building panel with integrated insulation, the second building panel with integrated insulation including: a first surface; a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the second surface; a second edge, wherein the second edge is disposed between the second surface and the second surface and is opposite the second edge; and an indentation in the first surface; a c-channel attached within the indentation, wherein the c-channel: does not extend to the first surface; and is configured receive the first edge of the first building panel with integrated insulation; wherein the c-channel includes adhesive on the entire surface of the c-channel in contact with the second building panel with integrated insulation; the second building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the second support beam on the second surface of the second building panel with integrated insulation, wherein the attachment between the second support beam and the second building panel with integrated insulation includes adhesive over the entirety of the web of the second support beam in contact with the second building panel with integrated insulation; and
- a thermal break, the thermal break including an uninterrupted portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation.
18. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 17, wherein the indentation is approximately 2 inches high.
19. The structure with integrated insulation of claim 17, wherein the c-channel is approximately 1.5 inches high.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 5, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2015
Inventors: Steve Bates (Draper, UT), Dee Bates (Draper, UT)
Application Number: 14/173,721