Experimental investigation of thermal bridges in building at real conditions

¹ Thermodynamics Department, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszów University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
² Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Fundamentals, the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rzeszów University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland

^* Corresponding author: robsmusz@prz.edu.pl

Abstract

In recent time the energy consumption of buildings may be reduced by the application of modern technologies in the construction industry. Modern building materials ensure a reduction of heat losses. However, studies show that thermal bridges may cause up to 30% of the additional heat losses through the building envelope. Therefore, a one key aspect in assessing the real thermal state of buildings is the identification of the heat losses through thermal bridges. The analytical, experimental and numerical methods are used for the assessment of thermal transmittance value of building. In the paper the authors present the experimental research on heat losses through the building under real winter conditions. Infrared thermovision technique has been used to the thermal bridges assessment in situ. IR thermography technique allowed the determination of the influence of thermal bridges on the additional heat losses. For the obtaining the surface emissivity the measurements have been also performed with the use of thermocouples system. Numerical validation of the experimental results has been performed.