Thermal Bridging

Thermal bridging occurs when materials that are poor insulators are in contact which creates a path for heat flow. Heat loss due to thermal bridging is a real concern where conductive materials, including those used for structure, penetrate fully or in part, the envelope of a building. Steel is highly conductive and is therefore the focus of the Thermal Steel Bridging Task Committee (TSBTC), which is hosted by the SEI Sustainability Committee. The original Thermal Bridging Working Group (TBWG) is now focusing on thermal bridging issues that result from materials other than steel.  The purpose of the TBWG and the TSBTC is to define and quantify the problem of thermal bridging, identify solutions, and communicate findings to the building design and construction community. We have set the following goals:

1. Review existing and current research on thermal steel bridging, particularly research that aims to define the magnitude of energy loss.
2. Review what other countries are doing to address thermal bridging.
3. Identify and contact manufacturers that provide products that can be used as thermal breaks.
4. Review any code implications of integrating thermal break material into building details.
5. Review energy codes to determine the code requirements, if any, that relate to thermal bridging.
6. Review how various energy modeling software programs handle thermal steel bridging.
7. Compile options for details, including details developed by practitioners.
8. Identify opportunities for presentations, papers, and articles.
9. Write and publish a document, in conjunction with AISC, about thermal steel bridging.