The efficiency and sustainability of a building are greatly influenced by the materials used during construction and remodeling. Polystyrene concrete is one such material that is becoming more and more well-liked because of its exceptional insulating qualities and lightweight design. Among its many attributes, the thermal conductivity index is one that is particularly important for figuring out how useful it is in building.
Expanded polystyrene beads are incorporated into a concrete mixture to give polystyrene concrete, which is frequently used for walls, floors, and roofs, its thermal characteristics. In addition to lowering the concrete’s density, these beads also produce pockets of trapped air that improve the material’s insulating qualities. Thus, the efficiency with which heat transfers through this material is measured by the thermal conductivity index.
The density of the polystyrene concrete, the ratio of polystyrene beads to other ingredients in the mixture, and the configuration of these beads inside the concrete matrix are all taken into account when calculating the thermal conductivity index. Better insulating qualities, which lower the energy needed for heating and cooling buildings, are indicated by a lower thermal conductivity index.
In order to design energy-efficient structures, builders and architects must comprehend and precisely calculate the polystyrene concrete’s thermal conductivity index. Building professionals can lessen the environmental impact and overall energy consumption of a building by selecting materials with lower thermal conductivity.
- What it is?
- Table of coefficients for different types of blocks
- Requirements for different types of walls
- Calculation examples
- Consequences of an incorrect choice
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What it is?
The ability of polystyrene concrete blocks to conduct and hold heat is included in the concept of thermal conductivity. The unique chemical makeup of a few carefully chosen substances causes this physical phenomenon by molecularly balancing the variations in high and low temperatures in the surrounding area.
This is the process of accumulating and storing thermal energy, which is measured by a coefficient known as thermal conductivity.
The Greek letter lambda "λ" stands for this term for polystyrene concrete, which is expressed in calculations as "WxmS" or "W/(m2xK)".
The polystyrene concrete block thickness determines the indicator; the higher the thickness, the higher the thermal conductivity index.
For a material thickness of 1 m, λ is computed and presented as a coefficient. However, the thermal conductivity coefficient must be divided by the product’s width, given in m, in order to calculate any other thickness.
GOST R 51263-2012:5126399; SP 434.1325800.2018; STO 00284807-001-2011 all specify the necessary wall thickness and material requirements.
Legal materials state that the average thickness coefficient is 3.4. However, this number could be closer to or less depending on the area and the technological demands of the actual construction.
The density of the material has a major influence on thermal conductivity. The higher λ, the higher this brand D indicator is. This is evident from the table in the picture below:
Wall partitions can be insulated thanks to the low weight and low cost of polystyrene concrete. Polystyrene concrete products are useful not only for walls but also for ceilings, roofing, and "warm floors."
Table of coefficients for different types of blocks
Polystyrene concrete is included in the category of cellular concrete, and its thermal conductivity index is primarily determined by its density and the brand that the manufacturer specifies. However, he also places a lot of significance on the kind of block. Polystyrene concrete comes in a few primary varieties and is separated into:
- load-bearing (structural);
- partition (thermal insulation and structural);
- thermal insulation.
Every type on the list serves a specific purpose in construction and can be utilized singly or in combination. The following configuration is the best choice for cellular concrete construction: external walls (a load-bearing structure with structural blocks) + partition walls composed of structural material that insulates heat + two layers of heat-insulating blocks adjacent to the load-bearing ones.
The table below could represent a table containing each type’s attributes along with the required indicators:
Additionally, cellular concrete can be utilized in conjunction with other kinds of construction supplies. It looks great with brick cladding and complements materials like wood, cinder block, and monolith.
Requirements for different types of walls
The regulatory requirements of GOSTs are specified in the above paragraphs, and indicators of requirements for λ are displayed in the tables. They rely on several elements, such as the building’s construction site’s climate, the kind of wall, and the pie, which might, for instance, search for expanded polystyrene concrete as shown in the image:
As was already mentioned, the density of the wall directly affects thermal conductivity. Even though load-bearing walls have a higher density than thermal insulation, when combined, they can form a strong structural layer, or "pie," in the space that will aid in the creation of a comfortable microclimate.
The following can be used to present the density indicator ratio (kg/m3) and λ (W/mxºΡ) in accordance with the requirements:
- 150 – 0.05;
- 200 – 0.06;
- 250 – 0.07;
- 300 – 0.085;
- 350 – 0.095;
- 600 – 0.145.
The manufacturer and the type of wall—which come in a variety of densities—have an impact on thermal conductivity indicators.
These blocks will not be able to provide enough thermal conductivity, making the decision to buy them structurally incorrect if the production of polystyrene concrete is carried out in a way that violates technological regulations and the manufacturer sells low-quality, uncertified, unlabeled, and unguaranteed products.
Crucial! Superior material always has instructions in Russian, is sold in undamaged packaging, is designated with D and B (compressive strength class), and complies with Russian product nomenclature.
Calculation examples
In construction, the λ indicators from the GOST tables are actively used to determine pie size because the thermal conductivity of a polystyrene block directly influences the ideal wall thickness. The image below shows some examples of the wall thickness calculations that are required:
Many unskilled self-taught artisans frequently struggle with the necessary computations. You can avoid making mistakes with the formulas by seeking assistance from engineers from a local state architectural bureau or construction companies offering these services.
It is essential to comprehend the thermal conductivity of materials in construction, such as polystyrene concrete. This index gauges the material’s heat-transfer efficiency, which affects building comfort and energy efficiency. The thermal conductivity of polystyrene concrete influences how well it insulates against heat gain or loss. The density and composition of the materials used to calculate this index have an impact on energy-saving and building design choices. Understanding and maximizing polystyrene concrete’s thermal conductivity allows builders to improve indoor comfort and environmental sustainability in the same building project.
Consequences of an incorrect choice
The polystyrene concrete’s ability to hold heat increases with thickness. Consequently, when selecting a material, particular attention is given to the block quality that the manufacturer presents as well as the thickness of the standards for the future wall as per the project (24.5 – D 500; 20.3 – D400; 16.4 – D300). When investing in expanded polystyrene concrete products, certification and warranty are crucial considerations.
The results of choosing the wrong kind of block for thermal conductivity can include uneven heat loss in the space, the need for insulation, and the need to use alternate heating sources, which raises the cost of fuel for gas, coal, wood, or electricity.
In contemporary construction, it is essential to comprehend polystyrene concrete’s thermal conductivity. This material is a preferred option for building insulation because of its capacity to control heat flow, which affects energy efficiency. Builders can guarantee that structures meet strict energy efficiency standards by computing the structure’s thermal conductivity index.
Because polystyrene concrete has a low thermal conductivity, heat transfer through walls and floors is effectively reduced. This characteristic reduces heating and cooling expenses in addition to assisting in the maintenance of comfortable indoor temperatures. Polystyrene concrete is one of the materials that builders frequently use first to improve sustainability and lessen environmental impact.
Precisely computing thermal conductivity during construction guarantees that buildings are both energy-efficient and conform to regulations. Architects and builders can maximize the performance of residential and commercial spaces and create environments that are both comfortable and economical to maintain by selecting polystyrene concrete with the appropriate thermal properties.
