Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
CONDUCTIVITY
CONCRETE
SOLUTION GUIDE
SOLUTION
GUIDES
CONTENTS
Introduction 8
Technical description 9
System performance 13
On-site implementation 19
Environmental performance 21
Related information 29
3
GLOSSARY
Insulating Materials Density Class
Those that reduce or prevent the transmission Definition of the density of concrete
of heat, sound or electricity, in this application in the hardened state, as detailed in
those that reduce the transfer of heat energy. BS EN 206-1:2000 5.
The level of resistance to heat transfer within The rate at which heat is transmitted through a
a specific component, where R increases so linear metre of intersection between building
does resistance and insulating properties 2. elements or components.
Typical Applications
Residential, Offices, Retail, Commercial,
Hospitals and Industrial
6
7
INTRODUCTION
Low thermally conductive concrete is an innovation which, as part of a construction solution, can
improve a building’s thermal efficiency. It combines improved thermal performance characteristics
with the structural and mechanical performance of conventional concretes, requiring no changes to
conventional construction methods.
As part of a construction solution significant reductions in heat loss through thermal bridging can
be made. Reductions can be as much as 40% and 15% in internally and externally insulated systems
respectively and can avoid the need for thermal breakers.
Where internally insulated structures are considered further design and construction benefits can be
realised. Low thermally conductive concrete promotes the opportunity to express the structure of
the building as part of it’s aesthetic scheme, without the need to highlight key structural features as
part of the cladding system over external insulation. Additional external finishes or cladding typically
required for externally insulated structures is not required as low thermally conductive concrete
forms a robust and durable
external facade. INTERNAL INSULATION
CLADDING OR RENDER
INTERNAL FINISH
FLOOR SCREED
0.6 LOW THERMALLY
CONDUCTIVE
CONCRETE WALL
ACCOUSTIC INSULATION
FLOOR SLAB
8
PERFORMANCE
Low thermally conductive concrete is an ideal concrete
to facilitate the construction of low energy buildings. Its
thermal properties are derived from its rheology and use
of specialist aggregates which deliver its unique thermal
performance properties.
With a density of 1,400 kg/m3 and a compressive strength of 30 N/mm2
(higher strengths can be achieved in accordance with British Standards 6),
low thermally conductive concrete can be used with traditional
construction methods and provide a guaranteed thermal conductivity
performance (λ) of 0.6 W/mK.
9
LOW CONDUCTIVITY AND
STRUCTURAL CONCRETE LOW
CONVENTIONAL
THERMALLY
PERFORMANCE ‡ CONDUCTIVE
CONCRETE
Low thermally conductive concrete is proven CONCRETE *
(C25/30) 6
concrete construction. * Performance has been shown in the test case to exceed
assured minimum performance characteristics, without
changes to its original mix design.
10
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE
The unique thermal characteristics of low thermally conductive concrete, in
combination with its strength and lightness, ensure that it is a viable option
for construction. Through adaptation of its design its characteristic strength
can be increased to 40 N/mm2, without any detrimental effects on its thermal
performance, facilitating its implementation into many forms of construction
including structural frame.
Using low thermally conductive concrete for a wall element, an analysis was
undertaken, using computational modelling* to compare thermal bridge
effects at the slab/wall interface. The results (shown opposite) illustrate the
improvements that can be achieved compared to conventional construction.
11
Comparison of thermal bridge coefficient Comparison of thermal bridge coefficient
of ETI system of ITI system
C25/30 concrete wall Low thermally C25/30 concrete wall Low thermally
Ψ=0.007 W/mK conductive concrete wall Ψ=0.99 W/mK conductive concrete wall
Ψ=0.006 W/mK Ψ=0.59 W/mK
12
PERFORMANCE
DELIVERY
13
HIGHER THERMAL RESISTANCE due to shortfalls in modelling, poor
construction, unexpected energy use or
A low thermal conductivity results in a higher
inefficiencies in operation.
thermal resistance (R) than conventional
concretes, which can reduce energy losses Confidence or tolerance design 7, utilising low
through the fabric of a building. thermally conductive concrete, can mitigate
poor construction practices. This approach
involves thermal performance based design
AS-BUILT PERFORMANCE GAP
decisions to be made based on the use of
A Carbon Trust study demonstrated that conventional concrete but actual construction
energy use in buildings can be five times completed using low thermally conductive
that expected in design and the same study concrete.
stating that the average performance gap was
The improved thermal characteristics can
16%, with the worst performing case adding
provide confidence that performance
operating costs of £10/m2 per annum 8. This
requirements will be satisfied by creating a
gap is defined as the difference in terms of
performance buffer.
energy consumption and carbon emissions,
between design and as-built performance 7
14
REDUCTION IN HEATING (OR
COOLING) DEMAND
Through an independent study carried out
by Tribu Energie, low thermally conductive
concrete was shown to considerably improve
energy performance.
KWh EP/m2 . an ‡
20
consumption by 7-10%.
15
The study considered three climate zones 10
- H1a, H2b and H3 - and demonstrated 5
improvements in all.
0
H1a H2b H3
In the chart shown, zones H1a and H2b can be
LOW THERMALLY STANDARD ITI
considered indicative of the UK climate. CONDUCTIVE
CONCRETE ITI
The study was carried out by Tribu Energie an independent energy assessment organisation
Climate zones have been taken from Réglementation Thermique 2012 9.
‡
Energy Consumption Ratio: is the energy consumption in kilowatt hours for primary energy
usage (heating, hot water) per square meter per year. In France this is known as kWhEP/m2.an.
15
16
EFFICIENCY OF THE SYSTEM WITHIN
CLIMATIC REGIONS
Structural walls constructed with low An approximate estimation of the systems
thermally conductive concrete have the efficiency in a range of climate zones has been
potential to add value when a buildings provided with estimates based on the thermal
thermal resistance is considered, however resistance (R) of the system and average
performance is dependent on heating and climatic data, for example daily and seasonal
cooling requirements. temperature variance.*
* The system efficiency assessment proposed in the map is based on the comparative analysis of various climatic parameters (temperature
variations, solar radiation, etc.) within the different considered climate zones and does not take into consideration factors such as micro-climates,
specific building load and occupancy, etc. which may highly influence the efficiency of the building system.
17
Structural THERMEDIA™ walls have the potential to add value Figure 4.5 provides an approximate estimation of the system
when considering the thermal resistance of a building. The efficiency in a range of climate zones. It has been based on
level of performance is dependent on the heating and cooling the thermal resistance (R) of the system and the average
requirements of the building. climatic data of these zone, for example daily and seasonal
temperature variance.*
Figure 4.5 Map of areas where the implementation of THERMEDIA™ structural walls are most effective.
SPECIFICATION
Building with low thermally conductive concrete does not require any
new construction techniques or approaches to achieve its insulating
thermal properties.
Existing UK best practice for concrete placement should be adhered to and
care taken as with all concrete final quality is dependent on workmanship.
Quality Assurance
The Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete (QSRMC) provides ISO 9001 and product conformity
certification for the design, production and supply of ready mixed concrete. QSRMC sets the highest
certification standards for ready mixed concrete and it is the preferred certification scheme of almost all
the major UK suppliers and a large number of smaller producers 10.
19
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION BEST PRACTICE
20
SUSTAINABILITY
COMPARISON OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINTS
An environmental study comparing two systems was carried out for the
implementation of a low thermally conductive concrete wall system for the
external envelope of a four storey residential development.
System A comprises a low thermally conductive concrete external wall connected
to a conventional concrete slab with internal insulation. System B is based upon a
traditional system with an external brick wall connected via a thermal breaker to an
internal conventional concrete slab with internal insulation.*
To simplify the comparison process only the buildings envelope components were
modelled (excluding windows). The compared systems were designed to achieve
the same thermal and structural performance properties †. Results are expressed
per m2 of external wall, with the period of analysis representing the full life cycle
of the building, taken as 100 years, based upon the principles of ISO 14040 11 and
ISO 14044 12.
21 *
The analysis has been based upon French construction systems and analysis on typical British design detailing is being undertaken.
system for the external envelope of a 4 storey residential systems were designed to achiev
development. System A comprised of a THERMEDIA™ structural performance propertie
external wall connected to a conventional concrete slab, metre2 of external wall, with the p
with internal insulation. System B was based upon a the full life cycle of the building,
traditional system, with an external brick wall connected
mental performances
via a thermal breaker to an internal conventional concrete
slab, with internal insulation.*
Brick wall
NMENTAL
Low thermallyFOOTPRINTS
Thermedia™
conductive 0.6
concrete Thermal breaker
System A
Low thermally conductive concrete
was carried To simplify the comparison process only the buildings envelope
external wall connected to conventioanal
6 wall components were modelled (excluding windows). The compared
Internalwere
insulation
concrete slab with internalInternal
insulation
insulation
dential systems designed to achieve the same thermal and + plasterboard
+ plasterboard
DIA™ structural performance properties†. Results are expressed per
e slab, metre2 of external wall, with the period of analysis representing
na the full life cycle of the building,
System A taken as 100 years. System B
nected
Figure 6.1 THERMEDIA™ wall system Figure 6.2 Conventional wall syste
concrete
Total primary energy
Brick wall 1
Depletion of abiotic
resources Embodied energy
Thermal breaker
System B CO2 PERFORMANCE
0.5
Traditional system - external The THERMEDIA™
brick wall system can
through the use of cement repla
connected via a thermal
Depletion of abiotic breaker to an
reduce the amount of insulation
Air acidification 0
internalresources
conventional concrete slab with
Internal insulation internal insulation
+ plasterboard ENERGY EFFICIENCY
A THERMEDIA™ wall system re
to the use of replacement mater
Greenhouse effect Water consumption
System B the construction system.
0.5
0 Depletion of
Air acidification abiotic resources
Production of waste
23
CO2 PERFORMANCE
A low thermally conductive concrete system can reduce greenhouse emissions
through the use of replacement materials, reductions in insulation and energy loss
through thermal bridges.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
A low thermally conductive concrete wall system reduces energy demand by minimising
energy loss through external surfaces, minimising energy demands.
RESOURCE OPTIMISATION
The production of waste is extremely low as production quantities can be closely managed
and concrete is 100% recyclable.
24
RECYCLING BES 6001*
The concrete industry has taken significant Lafarge Tarmac has achieved a ‘Very Good’
steps to improve its performance in terms rating for all its production sites and products.
of material reuse, reducing the depletion of The independent third-party scheme assesses
abiotic resources, increasing energy efficiency responsible sourcing polices and practices
and reducing carbon emissions. Significant throughout the supply chain 15.
improvements have already been achieved
compared to the industry’s 1990 baseline 13.
‡
Lafarge Tarmac concrete products offer the ability to conform with a wide-ranging number of assessment criteria in both BREEAM and LEED.
For more information contact Lafarge Tarmac sustainability team.
* Our BES 6001 certificate number for our readymix concrete products is BES 559207.
25
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT SCHEMES
Concrete can play an extended role in enabling an efficient building to be created and can
contribute in a number of assessment schemes and help achieve a range of credits ‡.
BREEAM † LEED
Man 03: Responsible Construction Practices EA Credit 1: Optimise energy Performance
Lafarge Tarmac’s Carbon Calculator has the capability Low thermally conductive concrete based solutions
to determine and provide data relating to the CO2 can reduce energy loss and subsequently energy
arising from production and delivery of our products. demand reducing environmental and economic
impacts.
26
PEOPLE PLANET
Safetyand
Safety andhealth
health Climate
Climatechange
change
Ourpeople
Our people Environmental
Environmentalstewardship
stewardship
Communityinvolvement
Community involvement Resource
Resourceefficiency
efficiency
PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS
Economicvalue
Economic value Sustainable
Sustainablesupply
supplychain
chain
Governanceand
Governance andethics
ethics Innovation
Innovationand
andquality
quality
Communication
Communication Sustainable
Sustainableconstruction
construction
3727
OUR SUSTAINABILITY
OUR SUSTAINABILITY
STRATEGY
STRATEGY
Sustainabilityisisabout
Sustainability aboutsecuring
securinglong-term
long-termsuccess
successfor
forour
ourbusiness,
business,customers
customersand
andcommunities
communities
byimproving
by improvingthe theenvironmental,
environmental,social
socialand
andeconomic
economicperformance
performanceofofour ourproducts
productsandandsolutions
solutions
throughtheir
through theirlife-cycle.
life-cycle.This
Thismeans
meansconsidering
consideringnot
notonly
onlythe
thegoods
goodswe wepurchase,
purchase,our
ouroperations
operations
andlogistics
and logisticsbutbutalso
alsothe
theperformance
performanceofofourourproducts
productsininuse
useand
andtheir
theirreuse
reuseand
andrecycling
recyclingatatthe
the
endofoftheir
end theirlife.
life.By
Bydoing
doingthis,
this,we
wecan
canunderstand
understandand andtake
takeaction
actiontotominimise
minimiseany
anynegative
negativeaspects,
aspects,
whilemaximising
while maximisingthe themany
manypositive
positivesustainability
sustainabilitybenefits
benefitsour
ourbusiness
businessandandproducts
productsbring.
bring.
FOUR THEMES
FOUR THEMES
Usingthis
Using this‘whole
‘wholelife’
life’thinking
thinkingwe
wehave
haveengaged
engagedwith
withour
our
stakeholderstotodevelop
stakeholders developour oursustainability
sustainabilitystrategy.
strategy.The
The
strategydefines
strategy definesthe
themain
mainsustainability
sustainabilitythemes
themesand
andour
our
keypriorities,
key priorities,those
thoseissues
issueswhich
whichare
aremost
mostimportant
important Twelvekey
Twelve keypriorities
priorities
totoour
ourbusiness
businessandandourourstakeholders.
stakeholders.ItItsets
setsout
outour
our Twelvecommitments
Twelve commitments
commitmentstototransform
commitments transformour ourbusiness
businessunder
underfour
fourmain
main
themes:People,
themes: People,Planet,
Planet,Performance
Performanceand andSolutions.
Solutions.
Twelve2020
Twelve 2020milestones
milestones
Fortyfour
Forty fourother
otherperformance
performancetargets
targets
Buildingon
Building onprogress
progressalready
alreadymade,
made,wewehave
haveset
setambitious
ambitious
2020milestone
2020 milestonetargets
targetsfor
foreach
eachofofour
ourkey
keypriorities.
priorities.
Theseambitious
These ambitioustargets
targetshave
havebeen
beenset
settototake
takeususbeyond
beyond
incrementalimprovement
incremental improvementprogrammes
programmestotobusiness
business
transformingsolutions.
transforming solutions.Our
Our2020
2020milestones
milestonesareare
rangeofofother
supportedbybya arange
supported otherperformance
performancetargets.
targets.
Thishierarchy
This hierarchyhelps
helpsmake
makeititeasier
easiertotobuild
buildunderstanding,
understanding,
driveimprovement
drive improvementandandenables
enablesusustotoreport
reportprogress
progressinina a
meaningfuland
meaningful andmeasurable
measurableway.
way.
28
38
INFORMATION
REFERENCES
1. The BPF Expanded Polystyrene Group 7. Zero Carbon Hub: Carbon compliance for tomorrows new
www.eps.co.uk/abouteps/attributes.html homes
www.zerocarbonhub.org/resourcefiles/TOPIC4_
2. RIBA Sustainability Hub, U values
PINK_5August.pdf
www.architecture.com/SustainabilityHub/
Designstrategies/Earth 8. Carbon Trust: Closing the gap
www.carbontrust.com/media/81361/ctg047-closing-the-
3. Guide 2: Concrete Frame, the NBS
gap-low-carbonbuilding-design.pdf
www.thenbs.com/PublicationIndex/
DocumentSummary.aspx?PubID=1402&DocID=296398 9. French Climates Zones according to Réglementation
Thermique 2012 (French Regulations)
4. Energy Saving Trust Technical Guidance –
www.rt-batiment.fr/batiments-neufs/reglementation-
CE 71: Insulation Materials Chart
thermique-2012/donnees-meteorologiques.html
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
10. QSRMC
5. BS EN 206 – 1:2000, Concrete, Part 1: Specification,
www.qsrmc.co.uk/
performance, production and conformity
www.bsol.bsigroup.com 11. BS EN ISO 14040:2006, Environmental management.
Life Cycle assessment. Principles and framework
6. Thermal Mass Explained – The Concrete Centre
www.concretecentre.com 12. BS EN ISO 14044:2006, Environmental management.
Life Cycle assessment. Requirements and guidelines
29
13. Concrete Industry Sustainability Performance Report
– 4th Report: 2010 performance data
This catalogue is provided for information purposes only. Lafarge Tarmac expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind,
whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability and validity of the content and accepts no liability for any
loss or other commercial damages incurred as a result of using and relying on the information provided. There is no
partnership between Lafarge Tarmac and the companies mentioned in this catalogue. All products and intellectual
property rights of these companies are only used for identification and information purposes and remain, at all times,
the exclusive property of their respective owners.
30
Portland House, Bickenhill Lane,
Solihull, West Midlands, B37 7BQ
T +44 (0) 845 1 218 218
SOLUTION
GUIDES
The names 'Lafarge Tarmac Trading Limited', 'Lafarge Tarmac Cement and Lime Limited', all 'ULTI' prefixed brand names,
'Lafarge Tarmac', the 'LT logo', 'Tarmac' and 'Lafarge' are all registered trademarks. ©2015 Lafarge Tarmac Limited. 3678/1214 - FCC0243
LAFARGETARMAC.COM