Thermal Bridging Guide

June 2015

Foreword

This publication presents information on the nature and significance of structural thermal bridges in buildings constructed of
concrete and steel. It uses results from thermal modelling carried out by Oxford Brookes University employing methodology in
accordance with BS EN ISO 10211: Thermal bridges in building construction - Heat flows and surface temperatures.
The information provides general guidance on methods of calculating the impact of structural thermal bridges and offers effective
solutions to mitigate that impact.
The publication was prepared in cooperation with Oxford Brookes University.

Schck Design Department

Telephone hotline and technical project management
Tel: 01865 290 890
E-Mail: [email protected]

Lunch & Learn seminars

Phone: 01865 290 890
Internet: www.schoeck.co.uk
E-Mail: [email protected]

Schck Ltd
The Clock Tower
2 - 4 High Street
Kidlington
Oxford
OX5 2DH

Schck Isokorb
Table of Contents

Page

1. Summary

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

5 - 12

2.1 What is a thermal bridge?

2.2 The causes of thermal bridging
2.3 Examples of structural thermal bridges
2.4 Condensation in buildings
2.5 Heat Loss in Buildings
2.6 Building Regulations

5
6
7-9
10
11
12

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

3.1 Concrete balconies
3.2 Steel balconies
3.3 Steel canopies

13 - 19
14 - 15
16 - 17
18 - 19

4. Appendix

20 - 27

4.1 Calculating Heat Flow and Thermal Bridges

4.2 Humidity, Temperature and Condensation Control
4.3 Basic definitions of thermal characteristics

5. References

20 - 23
24 - 26
27

28

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

1. Summary

1. Summary

Minimizing energy use in buildings, and therefore improving the thermal performance of building envelopes, has become
increasingly important in the drive for sustainability and energy efficiency. We have seen the adoption of more stringent envelope
thermal performance requirements in Building Regulations (Part L in the England and Wales), and voluntary certification schemes
such as BREEAM and Passivhaus. These include requirements to reduce heat flow through the walls, roofs and floors. Adding
insulation to the building is one obvious way to do this, but insulation is not effective if there are easy heat flow paths around it.
This is why codes and standards are progressively moving to requirements based on Effective Thermal Resistance, in order to
identify and minimize thermal bridges in the building envelope.
Thermal bridges can be defined as localized areas with higher thermal conductivity than the adjacent areas. A typical thermal
bridge in a building envelope would be where a material of high conductivity, such as a structural attachment or metal flashing,
penetrates the insulation layer. The presence of a thermal bridge in a building assembly would result in:
Higher heat transfer through the assembly
Colder surface temperatures on the warm side of the assembly

The possible consequences of these conditions include:

Higher energy use for heating

Higher energy use for cooling
Noncompliance with Building Regulations
Discomfort due to cold surfaces
Condensation on cold surfaces, which could lead to:
Corrosion of metal elements and structure
Decay of wood-based materials
Visible patterns on interior or exterior surfaces due to variations of surface temperature and drying potential
Degradation of insulation performance (if condensation occurs within the structure)
Mould growth and associated health concerns
A primary design goal for the construction of any building envelope in cold climates is to have a continuous and aligned layer of
insulation, minimizing the number, size and impact of thermal bridges. Many designers are not fully aware of how significantly
some common thermal bridges compromise the value of the installed insulation.
As shown later in this document, the heat transfer through common thermal bridges in a well-insulated building can equal the heat
transfer through the insulated envelope (according to research by Oxford Brookes University). If designers do not consider the
impact of thermal bridging, they will not meet the carbon emission targets in the Building Regulation Part L models used to
establish compliance (SBEM and SAP).
Schck provides product solutions specifically designed to mitigate or eliminate structural thermal bridges in commercial and
multi-residential building construction. Schck has over thirty years research experience, developing expertise both in the building
physics of thermal bridging and bringing effective solutions to market.

The intent of this manual is to provide designers with:

A better understanding of how heat moves through building assemblies and how this affects the surface temperatures and
condensation control
A confirmation of the minimum Standards and Code Requirements to ensure absence of damage
Examples showing how the impact of thermal bridges can be mitigated during design, both in general and using
Schck Isokorb thermal breaks
Design guidance on how best to integrate Schck Isokorb thermal breaks for performance and code compliance
Methods to calculate the impact of thermal bridges on the energy flows, temperature and moisture performance of building
envelopes

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2.1 What is a thermal bridge?

The thermal efficiency of a building is a function of the thermal performance of the planar elements (e.g. wall, roofs, windows) and
the local heat losses that can occur around the planar elements and where they are penetrated by the building components that
conduct heat. These areas of high local heat flow, commonly known as thermal bridges, can have a significant impact on the
thermal performance of the building envelope and the building energy consumption.
As part of a thermal assessment of the building envelope, heat losses due to penetrations or similar local effects have to be
calculated and where necessary minimized, so that the thermal efficiency of the building envelope is within acceptable limits.
Thermal bridges can be identified using thermal imaging cameras. The thermal bridges will appear as areas of higher temperature
when viewed from the exterior of a building, typically these areas appearing as red or orange in colour. This is shown in Figure 1
where higher temperatures (i.e. thermal bridges) around the door, window and balcony slab can be seen due to higher heat
transfer through the assemblies. Low outside surface temperatures show that this area is well insulated, so there is much less heat
flow from inside to outside. Areas with low temperatures typically appear as blue or green in colour.
Figure 2 shows a well-insulated balcony with a low outside surface temperature (blue) resulting from minimized heat transfer
through the assembly.

Figure 1: Thermal image of a residential building with higher temperatures at the windows, doors and balcony slabs.

Figure 2: Thermal image of a residential building with minimized thermal bridges and an even temperature distribution along the envelope.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2.2 The causes of thermal bridging

Thermal bridges are localized areas of low thermal resistance. The rate of heat flow though a thermal bridge depends on a number
of factors:
The temperature difference across the thermal bridge
The thermal conductivity of the materials passing through the insulation layer
The cross sectional area of the thermal bridge
How easily heat can get into and out of the thermal bridge which, in turn, depends on:
The relative area and surface resistance of the surfaces of the thermal bridge facing the source of heat and those facing the
heat sink
The lateral heat flow paths in the assembly that can bring heat to and from the thermal bridge
It is easy to say that heat flow takes the easiest path, but it is sometimes very difficult to analyze what those three-dimensional
paths are, how much heat flows through them, and what actually happens when you block one path. In fact, this analysis was
almost impossible before the availability of 2D and 3D computer models. The recognition of how significant thermal bridges can be
and what the best ways to mitigate them are has grown in direct relation to the availability of such tools. One still needs to
understand the basic principles of heat flow through thermal bridges in order to effectively mitigate them.

Material Thermal Bridges

The most obvious kind of thermal bridge occurs when a thermally conductive element passes through an insulating layer. A typical
example would be anchor bolts penetrating a layer of insulation, see Figure 3. These steel anchor bolts allow more heat flow than
the surrounding insulation. Structural thermal bridges such as this are described in more detail in the next section.

Geometric Thermal Bridges

Another kind of thermal bridge depends on geometry, rather than on materials with different conductivities. Geometric thermal
bridges can occur when the heat-emitting surface is larger than the heat absorbing surface. Building corners are a typical example,
see Figure 4. Interior surfaces in the corner can be colder than other interior surfaces because more heat can flow due to the larger
emitting surfaces.

Material Thermal Bridge

Geometric Thermal Bridge

exterior

interior

interior

exterior
Figure 3: Cross-section through two materials, shows dark grey with high
conductivity (steel) and grey with medium conductivity (concrete). The
direction of heat flow is shown by the arrows. The heat flows from the warm
room (bottom edge of the image) to the colder area (top edge of the image)
through the material.

Figure 4: Cross-section of a building corner. The lines show the direction of

heat flow from the warm to the cold area. The linear heat flow from an
undisturbed wall is affected significantly by the geometric conditions.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2.3 Examples of structural thermal bridges

A structural thermal bridge may occur whenever you have a structural connection. In practice, structural connections often lead to
high heat loss and low surface temperatures in the room. Condensation and mould formation can be caused by structural thermal
bridges. The following images and examples show typical thermal bridges occurring in building envelopes.
In non-insulated cantilevered elements, such as balconies, the interaction between the geometric thermal bridge (cooling fin
effect of the cantilever) and the material thermal bridge (penetrating the thermal insulation layer with reinforced concrete or
steel) leads to significant heat loss, see Figure 5. Cantilevered balconies and exposed slab edges are considered the most critical
thermal bridges in a building envelope. Non-insulated cantilevers cause severe heat loss and significantly reduce the internal
surface temperature. As a result, the risk of mould growth greatly increases around the intersection of the interior slab and the
exterior wall assembly, see Figure 6.

Figure 5: Infrared scan of a balcony thermal bridge with higher temperatures

at the exterior slab.

interior

exterior

Figure 6: Photograph showing mould growth on the ceiling of a concrete slab

adjacent to an exposed slab edge thermal bridge. Condensation forms here
frequently as a result of colder interior surface temperatures.

interior

exterior

Figure 7: Continuous balcony slab compared with a solution with Schck Isokorb; Left: continuous balcony slab without thermal break, Right: Balcony slab
thermally broken with Schck Isokorb providing a continuous insulation layer.

Figure 7 shows the modelled temperature distribution through a reinforced concrete balcony with and without a thermal break.
The image on the left shows an unmitigated thermal bridge. The colour gradient shows how the heat flows to the outside through
the balcony slab, from the warm red to the cold blue area. The image on the right depicts a thermally broken balcony connection.
As the illustration shows, a load-bearing thermal insulation element significantly reduces heat loss and provides continuity in the
insulation layer.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

Linear Thermal Bridges

Linear thermal bridges are disturbances in the continuity of the thermal envelope that can occur along a certain length of the
envelope. Typical examples of this include concrete balcony connections with the floor slab going through the wall, outer wall
edges, floor supports and window to wall junctions. The energy losses incurred by a linear thermal bridge are quantified by the
linear thermal transmittance .

interior

exterior

Figure 8a: Illustration of a linear thermal bridge on a linear balcony

connection. The left side shows the warm interior with a red surface, while
the cold exterior is shown in blue on the right. As the yellow and green spots
in the interior corners show, the surface temperatures can drop quite
significantly in these areas.

Figure 8b: Top view; this shows a cross-section through the balcony slab
presented in 8a. You can clearly see that the heat loss is linear, meaning it
remains the same across the entire connection length of the balcony.

Point Thermal Bridges

Some thermal bridges can be characterized as singular or point thermal bridges. They only occur in one spot. Typical examples
include steel balconies, canopies, roof extensions, fastening elements, such as dowels or curtain wall supports and anchor bolts
that penetrate the insulating layer. The energy losses incurred by point thermal bridges are quantified by the Point thermal
transmittance .

interior

exterior

Figure 9a: Illustration of a local thermal bridge on a point balcony

connection. In this case, steel beams are connected to a concrete floor from
the outside. The left side shows the warm interior with a red surface, while
the cold exterior is shown in blue on the right. As the yellow and green spots
in the interior corners show, the surface temperatures can drop quite
significantly.

Figure 9b: Top view; this shows a cross-section through the balcony slab
presented in 9a. You can clearly see that the heat loss is caused by the two
continuous beams. The heat loss is also localised, meaning it is limited to
specific spots.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

Figure 10 shows typical thermal bridging occuring in steel structures, such as canopies or roof extensions. The image on the left
shows a steel beam penetrating the insulation layer. On the right is an infrared scan of this location revealing areas of higher
temperatures and heat loss around the area of penetration.

Figure 10: Structural thermal bridging in steel structures.

Figure 11: Thermal bridging occuring at continuous steel beams.

Figure 11 shows the effects of thermal bridging occurring at a continuous steel beam. The picture on the left shows the potential
damage of the adjacent assemblies created by cold interior surfaces and resultant condensation, while the image on the right
shows the temperature distribution by an infrared scan.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2.4 Condensation in buildings

Condensation control
Moisture in buildings accumulates from occupancy and everyday activities, such as cooking or bathing. However, it can also be
caused by moisture rising from the soil beneath the building.
As a result, mould growth may occur when moisture condenses onto cold surfaces such as those in evidence at a thermal bridge.
This can lead to damage to the structure through frost or corrosion. Furthermore thermal insulation performance is significantly
reduced by moisture, thus resulting in a higher level of heat loss, with possible catastrophic results on the structure.
In order to prevent these negative effects, it is essential that the requirements for condensation control are met. For the building
fabric, the main parameter that indicates surface condensation risk is the Temperature factor, which is governed by values
contained within Part L.

Mould growth
When air cools, part of the resulting water vapour turns into condensation. This is a typical problem on cold surfaces in heated
rooms. When the relative humidity is high, cold surfaces are also prone to mould formation, even before condensation occurs.
Mould growth can occur with moisture levels as low as 80% humidity. This means that mould begins to grow on cold surfaces if the
surface is at least cold enough for a moisture level of 80% to be reached in the layer of air directly adjacent to the surface. The
temperature at which this occurs is the so-called mould temperature S. Mould formation therefore already begins at
temperatures above the dew point temperature.

10

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2.5 Heat Loss in Buildings

Buildings lose heat to the surroundings by a combination of air leakage and thermal conduction through the building envelope,
including through the ground floor. Air leakage or infiltration has been addressed over the past decade by the introduction of
pressure testing which ensures that ever more stringent air tightness standards are met by paying attention to sealing details at
junctions and across porous wall constructions. Conductive heat losses have been subject to the same tightening of standards,
primarily by the progressive lowering of U-values.
Conductive losses through the building fabric can be split into two categories:
a) Plane heat losses: through the main elements of the building fabric (roof, walls, windows and floor). The U-value (W/m2K) of a
construction multiplied by the area of that construction gives the heat loss in (W/K).
b) Thermal bridge heat losses: through corners, junctions, and structural elements penetrating the insulation layer.
The relative importance of each mode of heat loss for current new build properties in the UK very much depends upon the type of
building under consideration and the level of performance being aimed at. In all cases, thermal bridge heat losses are responsible
for an increasing percentage of the overall building heat loss as airtightness and fabric U-values have been improved in UK Building
Regulations. For detached housing, it is common for thermal bridges to account for 30-50% of conductive losses, as calculated by
thermal modelling. For multi-residential projects (apartments) this figure could be 20-30%, and balcony connections can be a major
contributor to the total thermal bridge heat loss if effective thermal isolation is not included in the design.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

11

2. Introduction to Thermal Bridging

2.6 Building Regulations

Heat Losses
To pass Building Control requirements in England and Wales, it is necessary to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations.
The latest version of the Building Regulations Part L (2013) and associated guidance document for residential construction
Approved Document L1A (ADL1A) require that thermal bridging be included in the fabric heat loss calculations.
The Government Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 2012) is the simple energy use and carbon emissions model used to provide
evidence that the carbon emissions target has been achieved. The SAP calculation includes the term HTB (heat loss due to thermal
bridging) which is calculated or estimated as below:
a) The sum of all linear thermal transmittances () x length of detail (L)
HTB = (L x )
or, if no linear thermal transmittances are known:
b) Using the factor y = 0.15 in the equation below:
HTB = yAexp (where Aexp = total exposed fabric area)
Linear thermal transmittance () values used in (a) can be a combination of:
Approved Design Details if used (in Approved column of SAP Appendix K Table K1)
Uncalculated details (in Default column of Appendix K Table K1)
Modelled details, in which numerical modelling has been carried out by a person of suitable experience and expertise.
Method (a) is always preferable as it avoids the penalty imposed by (b) which can double the overall calculated heat loss in a wellinsulated construction. A similar approach is taken for non-residential buildings in Part L2A, in which the Simplified Building Energy
Model (SBEM) is used in place of SAP.
One off calculations of can be carried out on request for all details using Schck thermal breaks to obtain the optimal solution.

Condensation Control and temperature factor

Building Regulations Part L includes the requirement that minimum internal surface temperatures should be such that
condensation risk is minimized and mould growth avoided. A measure of condensation risk is the temperature factor fRsi:
fRsi =

Lowest surface temperature at junction outside air temperature

Inside air temperature - outside air temperature

Approved Document L1A (L2A for non-residential buildings) cites the BRE Information Paper IP1/06 (Assessing the effects of
thermal bridging at junctions and around openings) which includes some limiting values for fRsi:
Type of building
Dwellings, residential buildings, schools

Minimum fRsi
0.75

Offices, retail premises

0.50

Sports halls, kitchens, canteens; buildings heated with un-flued gas heaters

0.80

Details using Schck thermal breaks show temperature factors far in excess of Part L requirements in all cases. Temperature factors
can be calculated by Schck on request to provide bespoke details that verify code compliance.
12

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

The most effective way to minimize the heat transmittance of structural components (balconies, parapets, canopies) penetrating
the insulation layer is to thermally separate the exterior structure from the interior structure. With the aim of decreasing thermal
losses at the connection, Schck Isokorb structural thermal breaks optimize the function and performance of each integral
element at the junction. A primary goal for designing and selecting proper thermal bridging strategies is to comply with UK
Building Regulations Part L where minimum requirements for the temperature are provided.
The general concept is that more conductive materials such as reinforced concrete ( = 2.2 W/(mK)) or structural steel ( = 50 W/
(mK)) at the connection are replaced with expanded polystyrene (EPS, = 0.031 W/(mK)) with a minimum thickness of 80mm to
give an effective thermal separation. This is non-structural and constitutes the main body and surface area of the thermal break.
To conserve the structural integrity between the exterior elements (e.g. balconies, canopies) and the interior structure (e.g. floor
slab), reinforcement bars are used to connect both sides and transfer loads (tension and shear). These traverse the insulation body
of the thermal break and are made of high strength stainless steel ( = 15 W/(mK)), instead of carbon steel ( = 50 W/(mK)). This
not only reduces thermal conductivity, but also guarantees longevity through its inherent corrosion resistance. To transfer the
compression loads, the thermal break uses special compression modules made of high strength concrete ( = 0.8 W/(mK)), as these
offer better thermal performance in when compared with compression bars made of carbon steel or even stainless steel.
A thermal modelling study was undertaken by Oxford Brookes University to determine the effectiveness of Schck Isokorb. The
following sections show the results for different applications with different solutions.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

13

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

3.1 Concrete balconies

Typical residential buildings are supported by concrete frames, often implementing cantilevered balconies made of concrete.
Schck Isokorb type K is the solution to thermally separate the exterior balcony from the interior slab.
Schck Isokorb type K offers high thermal resistance by using stainless bars to act as tension and shear reinforcement and highstrength concrete bearings (HTE, high thermal performance) to act as compression modules.

Figure 12a: Schck Isokorb type K for concrete balconies connected to

interior slabs.

Figure 12b: Typical residential building, supporting structure made of

concrete. Concrete balconies are thermally broken by Schck Isokorb type K.

A modelling study was undertaken by Oxford Brookes University to determine the effectiveness of Schck Isokorb. The aim of this
investigation was to determine the heat loss, minimum surface temperature and hence temperature factor (fRsi)
resulting from use of Schck Isokorb type K units, connecting a concrete balcony to a floor slab and to compare these values
without the use of connectors (floor slab projecting straight through wall). Calculation was by means of finite difference analysis
using BISCO and TRISCO software from Physibel.

Figure 13a: Wall construction with balcony slab through.

Figure 13b: Schck Isokorb type K50 installed in construction.

Further information about the boundary conditions and the thermal conductivity of the used components in can be found in
Reference 2.

14

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

0C

+20C

0C

+20C

fRsi = 0.72

fRsi = 0.91

Figure 14a: Balcony connection without thermal breaks: temperature

distribution (section). This detail does NOT conform to UK Building
Regulations Part L requirements for minimum temperature factor in
dwellings (fRsi = 0.75)

Figure 14b: Schck Isokorb type K50 connection: temperature distribution

(section). This detail conforms with UK Building Regulations Part L
requirements for minimum temperature factor in dwellings (fRsi = 0.75)

Temperature factor (based on wall surface)

Linear thermal transmission (W/mK)

Without Isokorb

0.725

1.23

With Isokorb Type K50

0.91

0.71

Table 1: Thermal modelling results

Table 1 shows the temperature factor and linear thermal transmittance and equivalent thermal transmittance for the case without
an Isokorb unit installed, versus using an Isokorb Type K50. In the UK, the temperature factor (fRsi) is used to indicate condensation
and mould risk as described in BRE IP1/06, a document cited in Building Regulations Approved Documents Part L1 and L2. For
dwellings, residential buildings and schools, fRsi must be greater than or equal to 0.75.
It can be seen from the results that the Schck Isokorb Type K50 unit, with fRsi = 0.91 exceeds these values and therefore meets the
requirements of Building Regulations Approved Documents L1 and L2. The results for the case with no unit (fRsi = 0.72) is a failure
for dwellings. The heat loss using the Isoborb is reduced by over 40%.

Figure 15: Schck Isokorb type K incorporated between the exterior balcony
and the interior slab.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

15

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

3.2 Steel balconies

A common design feature in the UK is to connect a steel balcony to an interior concrete slab.
Schck Isokorb type KS is the solution which thermally separates the exterior balcony from the interior slab.
The main body of Schck Isokorb type KS consists of 80 mm thick EPS insulation. It offers high thermal resistance by using
stainless bars to act as tension, shear and compression reinforcement.

Figure 16: Schck Isokorb type KS for steel balconies.

Figure 17: Typical residential building, supporting structure made of

concrete. Steel balconies are thermally broken by Schck Isokorb type KS.

A modelling study was undertaken by Oxford Brookes University to determine the effectiveness of Schck Isokorb. The aims of this
investigation were to determine the heat loss, minimum surface temperature and hence temperature factor (fRsi) resulting from use
of Schck Isokorb type KS14 units connecting a steel balcony support to a concrete floor slab. To simulate the real life situation for
a balcony, the study included the glazing element as part of the building envelope.

Figure 18a: Wall construction with a direct steel balcony connection.

Figure 18b: Schck Isokorb type KS14 installed in construction.

Further information about the boundary conditions and the thermal conductivity of the used components can be found in reference 3.

16

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

0C

+20C

0C

+20C

fRsi = 0.68

fRsi = 0.90

Figure 19a: Direct connection (Case 1): temperature distribution (section)This

detail does NOT conform to UK Building Regulations Part L requirements for
minimum temperature factor in dwellings (fRsi = 0.75)

Figure 19b: KS14 H200 connection (Case 4): temperature distribution

(section). This detail conforms with UK Building Regulations Part L
requirements for minimum temperature factor in dwellings (fRsi = 0.75)

Linear thermal transmission (W/mK)

Minimum Temperature factor fRsi

Constuction without thermal break

0.98

0.68

With Isokorb type KS14 H200

0.287

0.90

Table 2: Thermal modelling results

From table 2 it can be seen that the KS14 unit, with fRsi = 0.90, exceeds the minimum temperature factor value cited in IP1/06
(fRsi = 0.75) and will therefore meet the requirements of Building Regulations Approved Documents L1 and L2. The construction
without a thermal break does not meet the temperature factor value required for dwellings. The heat loss by incorporating Schck
Isokorb KS is reduced by almost 70%.

Figure 20: Schck Isokorb type KS incorporated into the interior slab. Steel
balcony to be installed afterwards.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

17

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

3.3 Steel canopies

Exterior canopies penetrating the envelope typically occuring in schools, universities etc. are another critical thermal bridge which
leads to significant heat loss.
Schck Isokorb type KST is the solution to thermally separate the exterior steel structures from interior steel strcutures.

Figure 21: Schck Isokorb type KST for steel beams

Figure 22: Typical building with supporting structure made of steel. Steel
canopies are thermally broken by Schck Isokorb type KST.

The highly conductive structural steel ( = 50 W/(mK)) at the connection is replaced with expanded polystyrene
(EPS, = 0.031 W/(mK)) with a thickness of 80 mm to give an effective thermal separation of the steel beam. This is non-structural
and constitutes the main body and surface area of the thermal break.
Stainless steel is used within the Isokorb module for the structural elements (bolts and a hollow section) to transfer the loadings,
while further reducing the thermal conductivity, since stainless steel = 15W/(mK) has a thermal conductivity 30% that of carbon
steel carbon steel 50W/(mK).
Typically two Isokorb type KST/QST are used per beam connection. Appendix chapter 4.2 shows the equivalent thermal
conductivity eq and the equivalent thermal resistance Req respectively. Note that heat transfer through the connection is reduced by
about 85% compared to the heat transfer through a continuous steel beam.
The following 3D thermal models have used Schck Isokorb for concrete structures and steel structures.
A modelling study was undertaken by Oxford Brookes University to determine the effectiveness of Schck Isokorb. The aim of this
investigation was to determine the heat loss, minimum surface temperature and temperature factor (fRsi), and equivalent
conductivity resulting from use of Schck Isokorb type KST units connecting a steel beam, and to compare these values with
alternative connection methods and with a continuous beam. Calculation was by means of three dimensional finite difference
analysis.

Figure 23a: HEA200 beam passing through 80mm insulation

Figure 23b: Thermally broken steel beam with KST22

Further information about the boundary conditions and the thermal conductivity of the used components can be found in Reference 1.
18

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

3. Best Practice Solutions and Details

0C

+20C

0C

+20C

fRsi = 0.51

fRsi = 0.82

Figure 24a: Direct connection (Case 1): temperature distribution (section)

This detail does NOT conform to UK Building Regulations Part L requirements
for minimum temperature factor in dwellings (fRsi = 0.75)

Figure 24b: KST16 connection: temperature distribution (section). This detail

conforms with UK Building Regulations Part L requirements for minimum
temperature factor in dwellings (fRsi = 0.75)

Minimum
Surface
Temperature C

(W/K)

Minimum
Temperature
factor fRsi

Continuous Beam

5.7

0.77

0.51

With Isokorb
type KST 16

13.8

0.26

0.82

Table 3: Thermal modelling results

It can be seen from the results that the KST16 units, with fRsi = 0.75 respectively, exceed the minimum value of 0.75 and will
therefore meet the requirements of Building Regulations Approved Documents L1 and L2. whereas the continuous beam falls far
short of the requirements. The heat loss by incorporating Schck Isokorb type KST is reduced by almost 65%.

Figure 25: Schck Isokorb type KST installed between the interior and the
exterior beam.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

19

4. Appendix

4. Appendix

4.1 Calculating Heat Flow and Thermal Bridges

Basic Definitions
Thermal conductivity quantifies the ability of a material to transmit heat in terms of energy by unit thickness and by degree of
temperature difference, see Table 4.
Material

Thermal Conductivity in W/(mK)

Insulation Material

0.035

Reinforcement steel

50

Stainless steel

15

Concrete

1.8

Table 4: thermal conductivity of a range of materials

Thermal resistance
The thermal resistance R is the resistance to heat flow with K temperature difference across one m and is based on the
conductivity . R is calculated as the thickness (t) of the material divided by its thermal conductivity:
t

R=

: Thermal conductivity in W/(mK)

t: Material thickness in m
This calculation of the R-value can also be performed for multilayer components:

R=

t1
1

t2
2

+ ... . +

tn
n

Computation of the heat transfer in components

4

1
interior, i

exterior, e

R=

t4

t3

t2

t1 t2 t3 t4
+ + +
1 2 3 4

t1

Figure 26: A representation of a wall construction, to define the R value by the thickness of the layers
and the corresponding value.

20

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

4. Appendix

The U-value, or thermal transmission coefficient, quantifies the heat flow through a building construction by the degree
temperature difference across it. It is calculated as the reciprocal value of the sum of the thermal resistances and the surface
resistances Rsi and Rse:
U=

1
Rsi + R + Rse

The U-value describes one dimensional heat flow per square metre of component per degree temperature differential across it,
which is needed to calculate the energy loss of areas of the same assembly. U-value is not applicable to areas of thermal bridges,
such as that shown in Figure 27. For more information about Basic Definitions, see Apendix 4.3.

Computation of the temperature distribution in components

Temperature at the
inner surface
si = i - Rsi q

interior, i

exterior, e

si i

Rsi
R1= t1 / 1
R2= t2 / 2

Rsi + R + Rse
R3= t3 / 3
3

se
e

Temperature at the
separating layers
1 = si - R1 q
...
Temperature at the
outer surface
se = e - Rse q

R4= t4 / 4
Rse

t4

t3

t2

t1

Figure 27: Representation of a temperature profile through a wall. The slope of the temperature profile is
defined by the thickness of the layers and the corresponding R value. At the surfaces the surface resistances Rsi
and Rse also take effect. On the right hand side you can see how the temperature profile between the different
layers is calculated.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

21

4. Appendix

Consideration of lateral Heat Flow

Figure 28 illustrates several important concepts using the example of a slab, such as a balcony, penetrating a wall and therefore
the insulation layer:
Heat will flow laterally to the easiest path through the assembly (i.e. the slab).
The planar heat flow (U) is the heat flow through an assembly without thermal anomalies. The linear thermal transmittance is
the additional heat flow with the thermal anomaly due to lateral heat flow as shown in Figure 28.
One can view the influence of the thermal bridge as being an additional heat loss due to the slab (the yellow area under curve
on the graph) that is added to the heat loss of the wall without the slab (the blue area of the graph).

U=

1
Rsi+ R1 + R2 + Rse

Uh
U-value

R1

R2

Energy loss:
L= Ulh + l

Figure 28: Pattern of heat flow through a building envelope with materials that allow lateral heat flow to a
thermal bridge.

Recognizing that the heat flow through a thermal bridge can be added to the heat flow through a planar building assembly
provides a method of accounting for thermal bridges that cannot really be addressed by the parallel path method of the
equations in Chapter 4.3. This is particularly true when the power of computer modelling can be used to determine the heat flow
attributable to specific types of thermal bridges. It has proven useful to classify thermal bridges by how one would add them up:
Figure 29 illustrates an example of using computer modelling to determine the value of a linear thermal bridge, in this example
a slab penetrating a wall. One creates two models with the same width and height:

The impact of small, frequent and distributed bridging elements (e.g. brick ties or Z-spacers carrying cladding as seen in
Figure 29 on the following page) are generally best handled by adding their thermal influence to U-value (W/(mK) for the
assembly. These are repeating thermal bridges, and they are included in the U-value calculation.
The heat transfer associated with linear elements (e.g. slab edges, corners, roof/wall intersections, window wall
interfaces etc.) can be handled by determining the Linear Heat Transmittance coefficient W/(mK). The Greek
letter Psi () is conventionally used to represent a linear transmittance.
The heat transfer associated with intermittent or singular elements (e.g. beams or other projecting structural elements)
can be handled by determining the Point Heat Transmission coefficient (W/K)). The Greek letter Chi () is conventionally
used to represent a point transmittance.

1. The wall without the slab but with the frequent and distributed bridging elements (the Z-spacers in this case) that you would
want to include in the U-value. The program provides the steady state heat flow for the assembly (Q).
2. The assembly including the slab. The program provides the steady state heat flow for the combined assembly (Q).
22

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

4. Appendix

Q0

Qslab

Additional
heat loss
due to
the slab

Figure 29: Example of process of determining the linear transmittance of a slab penetrating a wall.

The difference in heat flow between the two models divided by the width of the modelled sections is the linear transmittance or
for slab. This value is effectively the area under the yellow curve in Figure 28.
A similar process can be used to calculate the point transmittance of a beam penetrating a wall.
Linear and point transmittances can be determined by two or three dimensional thermal modelling for specific details.
Using this concept, the total heat flow through a wall, roof or floor with linear and point thermal bridges is calculated by adding
the heat flow through the thermal bridges to that through the clear field of the assembly.
Q = [U A + (i Li) + (
j nj) ] T
where
U is the clear wall assembly heat transmittance (including the impact of frequent and distributed bridging elements)
A is the area of the assembly, including all details in the analysis area
i is the linear thermal transmittance value of detail i
Li is the total length of the linear detail i in the analysis area
j is the point heat transmittance value of detail j
n is the number of point thermal bridges of type j in the analysis area
The examples in Chapter 3 and 4 use this method of calculation.

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

23

4. Appendix

4.2 Humidity, Temperature and Condensation Control

One consequence of thermal bridging is that some surfaces can become cold enough to allow condensation of water vapour from
the indoor air. The collected moisture can corrode steel, rot wood and allow mould growth. Condensation control is an important
factor in the integrity and durability of buildings.
The term humidity refers to water vapour in the air. The amount of water vapour that air can hold depends on its temperature.
Relative Humidity (RH) defines the ratio of actual vapour in the air to the maximum amount the air could hold at that
temperature.

21C
50% RH

10C
100% RH

5C
100% RH

21C
35% RH

Figure 30: Illustration of condensation process.

Figure 30 is an illustration explaining some of the interactions between air, vapour, temperature and liquid water. It is based on
the idea that air is like a container that changes size with temperature, representing airs ability to hold moisture. If you start with
air at 21C and 50% RH, and allow the air to cool so our imaginary container shrinks, the relative humidity will increase even
though there is no water added or taken away. At some point, which happens to be about 10C, the container is full to the top. This
is the point where the air is saturated and is at 100% RH. This is also called the dew point temperature.
If further cooling occurs, the container shrinks and some water spills over the top. This is the same as moisture condensing from
the air as a liquid. The air is still at 100% RH but a calculable volume of liquid water has been released.
If the air is now warmed (without adding back the condensed moisture) the RH would reduce, and when it reaches the same
starting temperature, the air would be of a lower RH than at the beginning of the exercise.
All these relationships can be calculated using psychrometric charts and tables, but the important thing is to understand the
relationships between cold surfaces, humidity and condensation:
Air that has water vapour in it has a Dew Point Temperature: the temperature where the air is saturated.
Condensation will form on a surface that is below the Dew Point Temperature of the air to which it is exposed.
The more vapour in the indoor air, the higher its RH and dew point temperature. Therefore, the less cold a surface has to be to
start condensing, and the more condensation forms on a surface of a given temperature below the dew point.
The relative humidity of the air layer in contact with a cold surface will be at a higher value than the warmer air away from the
surface.
A major concern with condensation or high local RH caused by cold surfaces is that it can lead to mould growth. Because mould
spores and suitable nutrients (cellulose) are virtually always present in dust, all that is required to cause mould growth in a building
is a sufficient amount of moisture in the microclimate in which the spores exist. Liquid water as formed by condensation is a
particular concern, but some mould species can grow in high humidity conditions without actual liquid water. In Europe the
concept of Mould Temperature is used which is similar to the Dew Point Temperature, but defines the temperature where air is
at 75% RH. Figure 31 and 32 compare the Dew Point Temperature and Mould Temperature for a range of indoor conditions.

24

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

4. Appendix

20

20
22 C
20 C

16

22 C

18

Mould temperature in C

Dewpoint temperature in C

18

18 C
14
12
10
9.3
8
6

20 C

16
15,3

18 C

14
12,6
12
10
8
6

40

50

60

70

80

Relative humidity of the room air in %

Figure 31: Dependency of the dewpoint temperature on the room air
humidity and temperature.

90

40

50

60

70

80

90

Relative humidity of the room air in %

Figure 32: Dependency of the mould temperature on the room air humidity
and temperature.

The dew point temperature is dependent upon the inside air temperature and humidity (see Figure 18). The higher the relative
inside air humidity and temperature, the higher the dew point temperature becomes, - and the sooner condensation begins to
form on cold surfaces.
The indoor air climate is typically an average of approx. 20 C and 50% relative humidity. This puts the dew point temperature at
9.3 C. Rooms frequently exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, can easily reach higher humidity levels of 60% or more. This also
raises the dew point temperature and increases the risk of condensation forming. At a humidity level of 60% in a room, the dew
point temperature is already at 12.0 C.
Mould growth on building component surfaces can occur with moisture levels as low as 80% humidity in the room.
This means that mould begins to grow on cold component surfaces if the surface is at least cold enough that a moisture level of
80% can be reached in the directly adjacent air layer. The temperature at which this occurs is the so called mould temperature S.
Mould formation thus already begins at temperatures above the dew point temperature.
For an indoor climate of 20 C and 50% relative humidity, the mould temperature is 12.6 C (see Figure 32), which means it is 3.3 C
higher than the dew point temperature (see Figure 31). For this reason, the mould temperature is the decisive aspect of preventing
structural damage due to mould formation. Surface temperatures must therefore be kept above the mould temperature.

Predicting Surface Temperature

The temperature factor is a parameter that helps evaluate the risk of mould growth and condensation on the inside surfaces of a
construction.
The temperature factor fRsi is defined as the temperature difference between the inside surface temperature and the outside air
temperature (si e) divided by to the temperature difference between the inside and outside air (i e):

Rsi =

si e
i e

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

25

4. Appendix

Minimum requirement according to IP1/06

The purpose of the minimum requirements for the fRsi value is to prevent damage to the structure from condensation. The general
rule for dwellings is:

Rsi 0.75
If Accredited Construction Details are used, there is no requirement to prove thermal performance. If another detail is used,
numerical modelling must be carried out to prove that fRsi > 0.75
The fRsi is a relative value and thus provides the advantage that it depends only on the design of the thermal bridge and not on the
external and internal air temperature like si. The value of the temperature factor when f = 1 is if the minimum inside surface
temperature min is the same as the inside air temperature and when f = 0 is if it is the same as the outside air temperature (see
Figure 33).

i = 20

1.0
0.9

17,5
15,0
min = 13.75

min in C

13.75 C

0.8

12,5

0.7

10,0

0.6

7,5

0.5

5,0

0.4

2,5

0.3

0,0

0.2

2,5

0.1

e = 5

fRsi = 0.75

fRsi

0.0

Figure 33: Definition of the fRsi value.

The minimum surface temperature is determined using three dimensional numerical analysis. With this number and with the air
temperature inside and outside it can be calculated thus:
Rsi =

15C - 0C = 0.75
20C - 0C

In this example the surface temperature is 15C and the air temperatures are 20C and 0C, this results in an Rsi of 0.75.

26

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

4. Appendix

4.3 Basic definitions of thermal characteristics

Symbol

Units

Conductivity

W
(m K)

The ability of a material to transmit heat in terms of energy per unit area per unit
thickness for each degree of temperature difference.

Equivalent
Conductivity

eq

W
(m K)

The averaged or equivalent thermal conductivity of a component consisting of

several building materials, effectively treating the component as a homogeneous
material that provides the same thermal characteristics.

Term

Description

Thermal
resistance

(m2 K)
W

The thermal resistance R is the resistance of a 1m length of material to heat flow

per Kelvin temperature difference.
R= t/
Thermal resistance of an assembly with uniform layers of materials, including air
films, which can be added to get the total.
R = R1 +R2+R3

Thermal
Transmission
Coefficient

W
(m2 K)

Rate of Heat flow through a unit area of an assembly for a temperature difference
of 1K
U=1/ R

Heat Flow

Linear Heat
Transmittance
coefficient

W
(m K)

A calculated value representing the added heat flow associated with a linear
thermal bridge.

Point Heat
Transmittance
coefficient

W
K

A calculated value representing the added heat flow associated with a point
thermal bridge.

Rate of Heat flow through an assembly

1W = 1 J/s

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

27

5. References

5. References

1. Report 060814SCH, Thermal Performance of Steel Beam Junctions using Different Connection Methods, Oxford Brookes
University, updated 18th December 2012
2. Report 121212SCH, Thermal Performance of Concrete Balcony Connections using Different Connection Methods, Oxford Brookes
University, 24th January 2014
3. Report 120927SCH, Steel balcony connections to concrete slabs using different connection methods, Oxford Brooks University,
updated December 2012

28

Schck Ltd | 01865 290 890 | www.schoeck.co.uk | Thermal Bridging Guide | June 2015

Rights reserved to make technical changes.

Publication date: June 2015

Schck Ltd
The Clock Tower
2-4 High Street
Kidlington
Oxford OX5 2DH
Telephone: 01865 290890
Fax: 01865 290899
www.schoeck.co.uk
[email protected]

803943/06.2015/GB/150189