Thermal Performance of Spandrel Assemblies in Glazed Wall Systems

3:05pm – 4:05pm

Ivan Lee, Daniel Haaland, Andrea La Greca

Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Credits: This session has been approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH. | This session has been approved for 1.0 AIA LU/Elective. | 1 hour (60 min) of Education is eligible for 1 BSS Credit | 1 OAA Core Learning Hour | Session may qualify for PEEK CPD.
Session Topics(s): Research & Technology: R&T, Codes & Standards: C&S, Fenestration/Glazing

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, the attendee will be able to:

• Identify the limitations of current thermal simulation methods for spandrel assemblies.
• Evaluate the impact of ventilation in spandrel assemblies.
• Discuss the experimental setup for performing laboratory testing.
• Compare laboratory test results to thermal simulation results.

Description
While the thermal performance calculation of discrete vision areas in curtainwall and window wall systems is well understood, when combined with opaque spandrels, it often stretches the limits of common evaluation methods. Recently published spandrel simulation procedures continue to struggle with nonstandard sizes, especially small slab bypass units with high frame to center-of-spandrel ratios; heat flow from adjacent assemblies (vision glazing and building components such as walls, floors, and roofs); and evaluation of interior temperatures, particularly near corners and framing intersections. As a result, there is confusion and inconsistent results in spandrel thermal performance values. Several studies show that conventional 2D thermal simulations may overestimate R-values by 30% compared to physical testing or 3D simulations.  This presentation summarizes ongoing research that includes literature review, simulations, and laboratory testing. The research objective is to develop improved thermal simulation techniques that more accurately represent the thermal behavior of spandrel assemblies and its integration with the building envelope. We appreciate the RCI-IIBEC Foundation for contributing to this research.

Presenter/Author

Ivan Lee, PEng

Morrison Hershfield

With over 14 years of experience, Ivan Lee, P.Eng., is the leader of the Component Modelling Team, focusing on hygrothermal and thermal modeling. He applies his background in building science and modeling to evaluate the performance of building assemblies. Using 2D and 3D thermal simulations, he evaluates thermal bridging and condensation risks in building assemblies to establish effective thermal performance of the building envelope for manufacturer products and systems, new construction, and low-energy retrofit projects. He is also the co-chair of the Thermal Bridging Working Group of the SEI Sustainability Committee, bringing awareness of thermal bridging to engineers in the industry.
 

Daniel Haaland, MASc, PEng

Principal, Building Science Engineer
RDH Building Science

As a Senior Building Science Engineer, Daniel Haaland, MASc, PEng, supports RDH’s core practice areas, including new construction, research, and sustainability, while also sharing his knowledge with the industry as an author, speaker, and guest lecturer. As the leader of RDH's advanced analytics team, Haaland helps teams to assess and meet their ambitions for energy-efficient and high-performance building designs. Recognized as a leader in the field of finite element analysis for construction, he has authored multiple related industry guidelines and standards, such as CSA Z5010 and the THERM Passive House Window Simulation procedure.

Andrea La Greca, PE

Consulting Engineer
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc

Andrea La Greca is a consulting engineer at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH) in its Chicago office. Since joining SGH in 2017, she has worked on projects involving design, investigation, and rehabilitation of building enclosures and materials. She is an active member in SGH's building science practice group and is skilled in various tools to evaluate thermal and condensation issues in building enclosure systems. Her additional experience includes failure investigations, existing building assessments, repair and rehabilitation design, building enclosure commissioning, and construction administration services. She has coauthored technical papers and lectured on topics ranging from hurricane and tornado storm shelter design to advances in effective thickness methods for laminated glass. 

Non-presenting Author

Cheryl Saldanha, PE, CPHD

Senior Project Manager, Building Science Practice Leader
Simpson Gumpertz and Heger

Cheryl Saldanha specializes in designing and evaluating building enclosures for new projects and existing building enclosure renovations. She is adept at using multiple simulation tools for thermal, condensation, whole-building energy, and daylighting analyses. She co-chaired the NYC Chapter of the International Building Performance Simulation Association and participated on the NYC Commercial Energy Code Technical Advisory Committee. She has authored technical papers and lectured on topics ranging from embodied and operational carbon of facades, thermal bridging calculations, energy modeling, and condensation issues in building enclosure systems. Cheryl was awarded Building Design + Construction magazine’s Top 40 under 40 for 2022.