Thermal Bridging Calculations Course - Vancouver

Thermal bridging is an important consideration in low-energy building design. Generally, the aim is to wrap entire the thermal envelope in a blanket of insulation, thereby eliminating all bridges. However, practicalities and cost may prevent this goal from being achieved. To properly assess junctions that contain thermal bridging, 2D thermal modeling is often needed. This modeling must be carefully performed using validated software to ensure accurate results.

In this two-day masterclass course, participants will learn the fundamentals of thermal bridging calculations for wood-framed construction. Common junction details and their modeling conventions will be examined. Modeling techniques will be taught using Therm. Participants will be given the opportunity to perform calculations and have them reviewed in class.

Course Objectives:

1. Gain better understanding of heat loss in buildings due to thermal bridging
2. Understand what comprises a high quality junction detail
3. Assess degree of thermal bridging in a junction qualitatively
4. Learn basic commands in the steady state numerical analysis software THERM
5. Create 2D thermal models of junction details
6. Set up the steady state models to output correct results
7. Calculate heat flows in THERM
8. LQuantify the degree of thermal bridging at junctions
9. Gain practical experience in the calculation of thermal bridging heat loss
10. Account for thermal bridging in building energy modelling software

Intended Audience: Architects, developers, self-builders, thermal modelers and other building professionals.

Prerequisites: Participants must have a familiarity with Excel and basic building heat loss calculations.

Course Requirements: Laptop with THERM 7 preloaded, MS Excel (or equivalent); calculator, pencil and notepad for sketching. Therm 7 can be downloaded here: http://windows.lbl.gov/software/therm/7/index.html.

Course Instructor: Andrew Peel

 Course hours are 9am – 5pm both days.

This course has been approved for 16 PHI Credit Points towards CPHC/D certification renewal.