Mass Concrete Wall Construction

Interior installation using the rigid board batt or spray on methods is the least expensive method.

Mass concrete wall construction.

A trombe wall is a north facing heavy wall made of concrete or some other thermal mass material located behind a layer of glass. Any volume of concrete in which a combination of dimensions of the member being cast the boundary conditions the characteristics of the concrete mixture and the ambient conditions can lead to undesirable thermal stresses cracking deleterious chemical reactions or reduction in the long term strength as a result of elevated concrete temperature due to heat from hydration aci 207 1r. The insulation must be at least 50 on the exterior or integral to the wall to count. Although the thermal mass and inherent r value u factor of concrete masonry may be enough to meet energy code requirements particularly in warmer climates concrete masonry walls often require additional insulation.

Mass concrete is defined by the american concrete institute as. Delivered pre sealed using a sealant option to suit the individual environment application and budget and if needed can be anti graffiti treated. The wall s exterior is dark coloured to attract the sun s heat. In heavy civil construction the florida department of transportation fdot sets the maximum temperature of concrete at 180 f.

Mass concrete structures include massive mat foundations dams and other concrete structures with a width or depth exceeding three feet or one meter 3 feet 1 m. Otherwise you re back in the wood frame wall insulation requirements. Historically in britain mass concrete designated early concrete with no reinforcement cast in situ using shuttering. When they do there are many options available for insulating concrete masonry construction.

It defines mass walls as walls that are made of concrete block concrete insulated concrete form masonry cavity brick earth adobe and solid timber or logs. It is constructed as a load bearing structure to transfers loads from floor to the wall below or to the foundation in addition to divide spaces in multi storey buildings. They have acoustic and thermal properties. Concrete walls can be insulated on the interior or exterior face or by embedding the material within the wall.

The panels can be fixed in various ways. Built in a day while t mass walls cost more than wood they also go up faster. The heat takes several hours to travel through the wall before it is released into the home s living areas. Mass wall panels are lighter and thinner than traditional stones.