1.

3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Thermal Properties of Materials

Thermal properties are relevant to: Heat loss from buildings. The effect of sunlight on buildings. Heat generation during cement hydration. Thermal cracking

1.3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Temperature
Temperature is the property which can generally be measured when studying thermal properties. The common units are degrees centigrade (oC). The name celsius is sometimes used in place of centigrade and has the same meaning. For many calculations degrees Kelvin (oK) must be used. The temperature in oK is obtained from the temperature in oC by adding 273.12. This figure is used because 0 oK, i.e. -273.12 oC is the temperature at which the vibration of atoms (which is responsible for the temperature that we observe) stops. It is actually impossible to finally reach it however good a cooling system is used. 32oF = 0oC 212oF = 100oC

1.3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Energy
Energy is measured in Joules. 1 Joule is defined as the energy required to push against a force of 1 Newton over a distance of 1 metre.

energy Power is the rate of doing work = time

1 Watt of power = 1 Joule/second When we buy energy in the form of electricity the units on the meter are kilowatt hours. One kilowatt hour is 60 x 60 x 1000 = 3.6 million Joules. i.e. the Joule is a very small unit.

1.3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Specific Heat
The Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) of a material is the number of Joules required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the material through 1 oC. Thus:

Temperature Change = T2 - T1 =
Cp has the units of Joules/(kg oC)

ENERGY Cp MASS

1.3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Thermal Conductivity
Temperature Wall

The Thermal Conductivity (k) is the measure of the ability of a material to transmit heat by conduction. The heat (Q) is measured in Watts. k is defined from the equation:

Q=
Distance Real building

kA(Ta - Tb) d

Calculated

Where Ta and Tb are the temperatures either side of an element of material with thickness d and cross sectional area A. k has the units of Watts/(m oC)

Insulation in wall

How to calculate heat loss through a cavity wall

100 65 100

The air is equivalent to a very thick skin of brickwork with thickness 65mm k1/k2
k1 A(T1 T2 ) Q 0.2 0.065 k1/ k 2

k1
k2

k1

Insulation in roof

Insulation in brick wall

1.3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Other Thermal Properties

Thermal capacity = Specific heat Mass
Thermal diffusivity = Thermal Conductivity Density Specific Heat

Thermal inertia = Thermal conductivity Density Specific heat

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

This is defined as the proportionate length change per oC of temperature change. If the coefficient is x the length change will be: L = x L T where L is the length and T is the change in temperature.

Thermal expansion

Heat Generation
Heat may be generated in a number of different ways.
Burning fuel generates a lot of heat. For example burning 1kg of high grade petrol will give off 45 million Joules.

When cement hydrates it gives off heat. Hydrating 1kg of cement gives off about half a million Joules.

Radiant Heat
In normal circumstances a structure will lose or gain heat substantially through convection, i.e. the heat is lost to the air next to it which then circulates to bring in cooler air. If this process does not take place (e.g. in a vacuum) and the object is black and nonreflecting the heat loss is:

Q = AT

where : Q is the heat loss in Watts (Joules per second) is Stefan's constant = 5.67 10-8 W m-2 oK-4 A is the area in m2 T is the temperature in oK

1.3 THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

1.3.1 Relevance 1.3.2 Temperature 1.3.3 Energy 1.3.4 Specific heat 1.3.5 Thermal conductivity 1.3.6 Other thermal properties 1.3.7 Performance in fire

Concrete
Loss of Strength in Fire Low thermal conductivity of concrete protects steel and concrete. Failure is by spalling (tensile failure) exposing steel. Concrete lost all strength by 850oC Steel by 550oC

Coefficients of thermal expansion similar so bond OK

Other Colour Change of concrete on heating CaO (quicklime) formed in concrete will react violently with water.

Steel
Flammability Non-Flammable but often painted Loss of Strength in Fire High thermal conductivity leads to rapid failure. (note that a high thermal capacity would delay failure). Strength lost by 550oC. Cold worked steel worse. Other hazards High thermal expansion will disrupt structure. High thermal conductivity may ignite other areas.

Fire damage to steel

Fire damage to steel (2)

Plastics
Thermoplastics melt and then burn. Thermosetting plastics char and then burn. Great variations between types but typical ignition at 400oC Loss of Strength in Fire Thermoplastics may melt by 100oC Thermosets OK to about 300oC (varies) Other hazards Toxic fumes, Melts and drops.

Asphalt
Flammability Burns and volatiles will flash but far safer than pure bitumen/tar. Loss of Strength in Fire Softens at low temperatures Other hazards Melted asphalt sticks to skin Asphalt fire is spread by water Fumes carcinogenic (but not as toxic as for plastics)

Glass
Loss of Strength in Fire Sheet glass shatters due to differential thermal expansion. Design Toughened/Double glazing no help for resistance but hazard from toughened is less. Wire glass, intumescent laminate can give resistance. Fibres often used for fire resistance (e.g. fire blankets)

Timber
Flammability Depends on species. Protected by charcoal (up to 500oC) Loss of Strength in Fire Little loss of strength due to heat. (drying increases strength). Low thermal conductivity protects. Other hazards Low expansion (unlike steel) Possible fumes from preservatives.

Masonry
Flammability Non-Flammable Loss of Strength in Fire Minimal May buckle due to heat on one side only Other hazards Stays hot for a long time