Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios
In the construction domain, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and energy optimisation. Light-gauge steel panels (LGSPs) stand out for their inherent advantages including lightweight construction and energy efficiency. However, the effective management of thermal eff...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/1/300 |
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| author | Dilanka Chandrasiri Perampalam Gatheeshgar Hadi Monsef Ahmadi Lenganji Simwanda |
| author_facet | Dilanka Chandrasiri Perampalam Gatheeshgar Hadi Monsef Ahmadi Lenganji Simwanda |
| author_sort | Dilanka Chandrasiri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the construction domain, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and energy optimisation. Light-gauge steel panels (LGSPs) stand out for their inherent advantages including lightweight construction and energy efficiency. However, the effective management of thermal efficiency, particularly addressing thermal bridges, is crucial. This paper conducts a detailed numerical investigation into the thermal performance of LGSPs, examining varied insulation ratios. Thermal finite element (FE) models were initially developed using the THERM software and validated against code predictions and results available in the literature. A comprehensive parametric study explored different insulation ratios, insulation materials, and wall thicknesses, discovering their impact on thermal transmittance (U-value). Key findings revealed that U-value correlated with insulation material conductivity, with E-PLA insulation exhibiting the lowest values, and increasing wall thickness resulted in decreased U-values. It was found that a strategic use of insulation yielded a U-value reduction of over 65%. New simplified design approaches were developed, featuring insulation ratios linked to accurate U-value predictions for LGSP configurations. The new design approaches were found to provide more accurate and consistent U-value predictions. Moreover, optimum insulation ratios for new builds and existing building extensions were found to be around 0.9 and 0.7 for 275 mm and 325 mm thick walls, respectively. These proposed energy-efficient solutions, facilitated through advanced design, are well-aligned with net-zero construction objectives. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:56:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e0b3a0f751d847a8b797cd05278c0033 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:56:17Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-e0b3a0f751d847a8b797cd05278c00332024-01-29T13:49:56ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-01-0114130010.3390/buildings14010300Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation RatiosDilanka Chandrasiri0Perampalam Gatheeshgar1Hadi Monsef Ahmadi2Lenganji Simwanda3School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKSchool of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKDepartment of Civil Engineering, Niccolò Cusano University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of South Africa, Johannesburg 2001, South AfricaIn the construction domain, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and energy optimisation. Light-gauge steel panels (LGSPs) stand out for their inherent advantages including lightweight construction and energy efficiency. However, the effective management of thermal efficiency, particularly addressing thermal bridges, is crucial. This paper conducts a detailed numerical investigation into the thermal performance of LGSPs, examining varied insulation ratios. Thermal finite element (FE) models were initially developed using the THERM software and validated against code predictions and results available in the literature. A comprehensive parametric study explored different insulation ratios, insulation materials, and wall thicknesses, discovering their impact on thermal transmittance (U-value). Key findings revealed that U-value correlated with insulation material conductivity, with E-PLA insulation exhibiting the lowest values, and increasing wall thickness resulted in decreased U-values. It was found that a strategic use of insulation yielded a U-value reduction of over 65%. New simplified design approaches were developed, featuring insulation ratios linked to accurate U-value predictions for LGSP configurations. The new design approaches were found to provide more accurate and consistent U-value predictions. Moreover, optimum insulation ratios for new builds and existing building extensions were found to be around 0.9 and 0.7 for 275 mm and 325 mm thick walls, respectively. These proposed energy-efficient solutions, facilitated through advanced design, are well-aligned with net-zero construction objectives.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/1/300light-gauge steelthermal performancenumerical analysisinsulation ratiosU-valuenew design approach |
| spellingShingle | Dilanka Chandrasiri Perampalam Gatheeshgar Hadi Monsef Ahmadi Lenganji Simwanda Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios Buildings light-gauge steel thermal performance numerical analysis insulation ratios U-value new design approach |
| title | Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios |
| title_full | Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios |
| title_fullStr | Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios |
| title_short | Numerical Study of Thermal Efficiency in Light-Gauge Steel Panels Designed with Varying Insulation Ratios |
| title_sort | numerical study of thermal efficiency in light gauge steel panels designed with varying insulation ratios |
| topic | light-gauge steel thermal performance numerical analysis insulation ratios U-value new design approach |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/1/300 |
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