Thermal Clip System with Insulating Cavities for Wall Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional exterior cladding systems in building construction are inefficient in terms of thermal resistance, allowing thermal energy escape and failing to meet prescriptive building code requirements due to the thermal path created by connections between cladding frameworks and exterior walls.
Innovation Solution
A thermal clip system comprising a base section with a mounting surface and an arm section that supports girt members, featuring recessed cavities for insulating material to provide a thermal break between the clip and the internal wall, enhancing the thermal efficiency of wall assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional continuous girt or cladding attachment systems are used, then structural support and cladding attachment are achieved, but thermal resistance is significantly reduced with only 40-60% effective R-Value
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous girt member is segmented into discrete sections spaced apart from each other, creating thermal breaks between sections. This segmentation maintains structural support functionality while interrupting the thermal path that causes energy loss through the wall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal break materials are introduced as intermediary elements between the metal girt sections and the wall assembly. These intermediary materials have low thermal conductivity, preventing direct thermal conduction while allowing the girt to maintain its structural attachment function.
2Ease of operation
If traditional continuous girt or cladding attachment systems are used, then cladding attachment is achieved, but thermal resistance fails to meet prescriptive building code requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The girt system is divided into spaced sections rather than continuous members, creating inherent thermal breaks that improve thermal resistance performance to meet building code requirements while maintaining ease of cladding attachment at each discrete location.
Solution Approach 2:
The girt assembly combines metal girt sections with thermal break materials of different thermal properties, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical attachment capability and improved thermal resistance to meet prescriptive code requirements.
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 clip system significantly improves thermal resistance by reducing heat transfer, aligning with national building code requirements and enhancing the overall thermal performance of exterior wall assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
the recessed cavity being configured for receiving an insulating material so as to provide a thermal break between the base member and the internal wall
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal clip system suitable for use with a wall assembly. The clip comprises a base section and an arm section. According to an embodiment, the clip is formed a unitary piece from extruded aluminum. The base section is configured with mounting holes for receiving fasteners to secure the clip respective studs in a wall. The arm section includes a surface for fastening a girt member, wherein the girt member is configured to secure one or more exterior cladding panels. The base section may include a recessed cavity for receiving an insulating material to form a thermal break between the clip and the stud wall. The arm section may include a recessed slot for receiving an insulating material to form a thermal break between the clip and the girt member.