Thermal Bridging '22: What to Know and What to Do

James D'Aloisio
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Jim D'Aloisio
Proposer First Name
Jim
Proposer Email
jad@khhpc.com
Proposer Last Name
D'Aloisio
Proposer Phone
(315) 391-5459
Proposer Job Title
Principal
Proposer Additional Info
Jim has over 30 years’ experience in structural building design, envelope consulting, condition reviews, and forensic engineering. Jim was a principal investigator for the recently completed Pankow Foundation-sponsored research project "Thermal Break Strategies for Cladding Systems in Building Structures." He is a former Chair of the SEI Thermal Bridging Task Force. He has written several articles on the relationship between building structures and building envelopes, and has presented over 300 times, including over 15 day-long seminars on the NYS Energy Conservation Construction Code.
Proposed Session Description
We will review the three types of structural thermal bridging: Planar (e.g., stud walls), linear (e.g., shelf angles), and point (e.g., a protruding beam, and identify options for thermal loss mitigation for each. We will present advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. We'll cover foundation and slab edge insulation placement and detailing to minimize thermal losses. The presentation will provide examples of infrared images of buildings which helps to visualize the thermal losses caused by thermal bridging. We’ll relay examples of unmitigated conditions that have led to severe building problems. Finally, we will summarize the conductive thermal requirements of the Energy Codes and identify strategies to calculate thermal properties.
Why is this session important?
Thermal bridging is important for several reasons: • It can lead to problematic condensation that is difficult to mitigate. • It can increase a building's energy usage, and reduced occupant comfort. • It usually increases the operational carbon emissions of the building. • It may create a condition of noncompliance with the governing Energy Code. This is especially true for projects subject to the NYC Energy Code or the NYStretch Code. • It usually involves structural elements for which the structural engineer is responsible. • Practical, high-efficacy solutions exist and can be implemented in collaboration with the other members of a project's design team - if identified early in the design process. Thermal bridging can occur with all structural materials, especially concrete, steel, and masonry. Mitigation strategies include: • Thermal separation of interior and exterior elements • Use of low-conducting material such as FRP or stainless steel • Substitution of discrete (intermittent) bridging elements for continuous (linear) elements • Use of proprietary manufactured structural thermal bridging assemblies - usually considered design-delegated elements. • Use of insulative paints or coatings.

Comments

Elizabeth Engoren Mon, 05/02/2022 - 10:31 am

ROUND 1: MAYBE - I've worked with Jim before (on his 2019 "Carbon Counts!" NESEA talk) and he is a passionate and engaging speaker. I'm sure this will also be a good talk but am curious to see how this topic compares to other proposed session (i.e., does another talk discuss thermal bridging as a part of a larger focus? Do we have enough demand for a session that just focuses on thermal bridging?).

Sara Bayer Mon, 05/02/2022 - 8:50 pm

Round 1: Maybe.   In the 2022/3 NYC code, I believe we will have to mitigate thermal bridging now, not only report it out in our plan reviews.  Architects are being heavily martketed to for "thermal bridge free" solutions that sometimes are just gimicks. Its important and timly topic, but maybe a little one dimensional.  However it would be very good to have a deep technical session like this, and one that isnt always focused on the mecahnical/electrical technologies.

Stuart Brodsky Wed, 05/04/2022 - 5:39 pm

Maybe. I'd prefer Matthew Malia's and Mark Ginsberg's proposals over this one.  

Ben Sachs-Hamilton Mon, 05/09/2022 - 11:42 am

Round 1 Discussion:Need to discuss with presenter how to make more relevant - provide a zoomed out approach to topic to begin session. If possible to add speaker to flesh out idea.

Sara Bayer Wed, 05/25/2022 - 11:31 am

I strongly recommend having this session. The topic is very important and will have broad interest.  But its also very technical and detailed.  Its such a critical topic to delivering the low EUI buildings that we need to have Everyone doing, but requires a more IDP approach - which he will touch upon. Also there is a lot of noise out there from manfuacturers and he has good examples of what really works/doesnt work.  He also has some excamples from university buildings of the draw backs of not addresssing this. The presenter has presented at building energy boston before and other venues, and seems like an engaging speaker.  He's given this presentation on 20 minutes or up to 7 hours, so the lenght is OK for one presenter - but if we want to add someone he did mention he has done some fun presentations with Jodi Smiths Anderson, if we wanted to suggest adding her for a portion.

Ben Sachs-Hamilton Fri, 06/03/2022 - 8:47 am

R2 Discussion:What do you want curator to do? Give a background of thermal bridging and why it's important. Address how it relates to current and upcoming code in NYC (e.g., Stretch Code) and other jurisdictions.Seems like a strong session. Jim is a good speaker and this topic would be helpful/informative to the NYC community; would be open to adding another speaker like Jodi. University and K-12 buildings (he's based in Syracuse). Yes, thinks there's enough demand from architects, structural engineers, energy consultants, etc. Advocating for better QC of the code.

Diversity and Inclusiveness
The material does not address equity specifically, but it does convey a message that progressive voices are needed to address, and question, the status quo of traditional construction details.
Learning Objectives
Realize the impact of structural details on energy code compliance.
Differentiate thermal bridging conditions that can have a significant effect on building energy loss vs. those that have minimal effect.
Compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of some of the design options available for mitigation of structural thermal bridging.
Review NYC Energy Code code requirements for assessing and mitigating thermal bridging conditions.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
I have presented on Thermal Bridging at NESEA BuildingEnergy, and have recently (spring 2022) presented to SEAoNY on thermal envelopes, which had a lot of this content. Presentation was very well received. The new 2020 NYC Energy Code focuses on thermal bridging specifically, making the topic extremely timely.s, Plus over the years I have presented on the subject of thermal bridging approximately ten times, at various venues.

NYC 2022 Areas of Focus

Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists

Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2022

Comments about your speaker roster
In 2019 I presented "Carbon Counts! Calculating the Carbon Content of Commercial Construction" at BENYC. It was very well received.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
Providing accurate information on this topic is CRITICAL - there are manufacturers and practitioners who are recommending inaccurate and ineffective solutions to thermal bridging.
Reviewer 1
Bayer, Sara
Reviewer 2
Bayer, Sara
Curator
Smits Anderson, Jodi
Proposal #
129
Session #
104
Committee Decision
Accepted

Presenters