Thermal Break for Tilt-Up Construction Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tilt-up construction, existing exterior walls face structural failures due to the lack of adequate weight-bearing support for fixtures, leading to thermal energy loss and potential mechanical failures from differential expansion and moisture issues between wood and concrete components.
Innovation Solution
A thermal break system comprising an elongate body with non-wooden thermal insulating materials, featuring protrusions that contact both the fascia and structural wythes, providing a weight-bearing surface for fixtures and accommodating thermal expansion, while integrating insulating material to reduce energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fixtures are mounted directly onto the structural wythe or fascia wythe, then weight-bearing support is provided, but thermal energy loss occurs at the mounting locations
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal break component is introduced as an intermediary element between the structural wythe and the fixture. This thermal break includes an insulating material that reduces thermal energy loss while still providing adequate weight-bearing support for the fixture. The thermal break acts as a mediator that allows the fixture to be mounted while maintaining thermal efficiency at the mounting location.
2Strength
If wood is used to provide mounting support between insulating material and exterior wall, then weight-bearing capacity is improved, but differential expansion and moisture issues cause mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter of the mounting support is changed from wood to a synthetic material that does not suffer from differential expansion with concrete. The thermal break component is made of materials that have compatible thermal expansion properties with the surrounding concrete structure, eliminating the mechanical failure caused by differential expansion and moisture absorption.
3Loss of energy
If insulating material is placed between structural wythe and fascia wythe, then thermal energy loss is reduced, but weight-bearing support for fixtures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal break component uses composite materials that combine insulating properties with structural strength. The thermal break includes an insulating material core that reduces thermal energy loss, reinforced with structural elements that provide adequate weight-bearing capacity for fixture mounting. This composite structure allows both thermal efficiency and structural support functions to be achieved simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The thermal break system enhances structural integrity by providing a weight-bearing surface for fixtures, reduces thermal energy loss, and minimizes mechanical failures by accommodating expansion differences between materials, thus meeting energy code requirements and extending the lifespan of exterior walls.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of insulating material disposed between the fascia wythe and the structural wythe
Implementation Method 2
minimizes mechanical failures by accommodating expansion differences between materials
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an exterior wall for tilt-up construction comprising: (a) a fascia wythe; (b) a structural wythe; (c) a layer of insulating material disposed between the fascia wythe and the structural wythe; and (d) a thermal break in contact with at least the structural wythe, the thermal break comprising an elongate body comprising one or more non-wooden thermal insulating materials, a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first contacting surface, and a second contacting surface opposite the first contacting surface, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The structural wythe contacts at least a portion of the second contacting surface.