NCMA TEK 6-1B - R Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls 2009
NCMA TEK 6-1B - R Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls 2009
NCMA TEK 6-1B - R Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls 2009
TEK 6-1B 2009 National Concrete Masonry Association (replaces TEK 6-1A)
wythe, a 2 to 41/2 in. (51 to 114 mm) wide cavity, and a 4-in. U = 1/R = 1/14.0 = 0.071 Btu/ hr.oF/Btu (0.4 W/ m2.K)
(102-mm) masonry veneer. By reference to Specification for Calculations are performed using the series-parallel (also
Masonry Structures (ref. 4), the International Building Code called isothermal planes) calculation method (refs. 1, 5). The
(ref. 6) allows cavity widths up to 41/2 in. (114 mm), beyond method accounts for the thermal bridging that occurs through
which a detailed wall tie analysis must be performed. More the webs of concrete masonry units. The method is briefly
detailed information on cavity walls can be found in Refer- described on the following page, and its use is demonstrated
ences 8 through 11. on page 4 of this TEK.
Thermal values for concrete masonry walls are correlated
R-VALUE TABLES to density, since the thermal conductivity of concrete increases
with increasing concrete density. For each density, Table 1 lists
Table 1 presents R-values of uninsulated concrete masonry a range of R-values as well as a single value, which represents
cavity walls with 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 in. (102, 152, 203, 254 the middle of the range. A range of thermal values is appropri-
and 305 mm) backup wythes and a 4 in. (102 mm) concrete ate for concrete products because the thermal conductivity of
masonry veneer. These R-values should be added to the concrete cannot always be accurately estimated from density
applicable R-values in Tables 2 and 3 to account for cavity alone. The thermal conductivity of concrete may vary with
insulation and/or interior furring with insulation, respectively. aggregate type(s), the mix design, moisture content, etc.
Table 4 contains the thermal data used to develop the tables. These published values reflect a compendium of historical
To convert the R-value to U-factor (as may be needed for data on thermal conductivity of concrete (refs. 1, 5). Locally
code compliance), simply invert the R-value, i.e.: U = 1/R. available products and local conditions may result in thermal
Note that U-factors of various wall components cannot be values which fall outside of this range. The middle-of-the-range
directly added together. To determine the overall cavity wall values are presented for use in cases where more accurate
U-factor, first add the component R-values together, then values are not available from local manufacturers.
determine overall U-factor by inverting the total R-value. The values in Table 1 are based on an ungrouted backup
As an example, to determine the R-value of a concrete wythe. However, the addition of grout to a hollow concrete
masonry cavity wall with 8 in. (152 mm) 105 pcf (1,682 kg/m3) masonry backup wythe does not significantly affect the overall
backup insulated with 2 in. (51 mm) of extruded polystyrene R-value of an insulated cavity wall. For example, the R-value
insulation in the cavity, first determine the R-value of the unin- of a cavity wall with 8 in. (203 mm) ungrouted 105 pcf (1,682
sulated wall from Table 1 (4.0 ft2.hr.oF/Btu, 0.70 m2.K/W), then kg/m3) backup and 2 in. (51 mm) of perlite in the cavity is 9.3
add the cavity insulation R-value from Table 2 (10 ft2.hr.oF/Btu, hr.ft2.oF/Btu (1.72 m2.K/W). When the backup wythe is grouted
1.8 m2.K/W), to obtain the total R-value of 14.0 ft2.hr.oF/Btu solid, the R-value becomes 8.8 hr.ft2.oF/Btu (1.67 m2.K/W), a
(2.5 m2.K/W). The corresponding U-factor for this wall is: decrease of about 5 percent. With a partially-grouted backup,
the difference in R-value is smaller than 5%.
Table 1R-Values of Uninsulated Cavity Walls With 4 in. Concrete Masonry Veneer (ft2.hr.oF/Btu)A
R-VALUE CALCULATION
The series-parallel calculation method is recommended (refs. 1, 5) for estimating R-values of concrete masonry walls. This
calculation treats the block as a series of thermal layers, as illustrated in Figure 1. The face shells form continuous outer layers,
which are in series with the layer containing webs and cores. The total R-value, RT, of the block is the sum of the R-values
of each layer, as outlined below. An example illustrating use of the equation is provided on the following page Note: When
the core is partially filled (i.e. when using insulation inserts), the core is divided into multiple layers.
where: R f Rm Rw Rc
ac = fractional core area, seeSection A-A RT = Ri + + + Ra + Rv + Ro
af = fractional face shell area, see elevation a f Rm + am R f ac Rw + aw Rc
am = fractional mortar joint area, see elevation
aw = fractional web area, see Section A-A
Ra = thermal resistance of cavity
Rc = thermal resistance of cores
Rf = thermal resistance of both face shells,
rc x (2tfs) tfs
Ri = thermal resistance of inside air surface film Section A-A
Rm = thermal resistance of mortar joint, rm x (2tfs) A A
tw
Ro = thermal resistance of outside air surface film
RT = total thermal resistance of wall
Rv = thermal resistance of veneer tfs
Rw = thermal resistance of concrete webs, rc x tw
rc = thermal resistivity of concrete
rm = thermal resistivity of mortar
tfs = face shell thickness Elevation of unit face
tw = length of concrete webs Figure 1 Concrete Masonry Unit Thermal Model
EXAMPLE R-VALUE/U-FACTOR CALCULATION
Determine the total R-value and U-factor of the masonry cavity wall shown below.
Calculate R-value of 8-in backup (series parallel calculation):
Given: rc = 0.085 hr.ft2.oF/Btu.in tfs = 11/4 in.
unit length = 155/8 in. unit thickness = 75/8 in.
5
unit height = 7 /8 in. mortar joint thickness = 3/8 in.
. 2.o .
rm = 0.1 hr ft F/Btu in tweb = 1 in.
Ri = 0.68 hr.ft2.oF/Btu Ro = 0.17 hr.ft2.oF/Btu
Provided by:a
R = 0.97 hr . 2.o
ft F/Btu R v
= 0.84 hr.ft2.oF/Btu
R-value of cavity insulation (XPS) = 10.0 hr.ft2.oF/Btu
tw = width of unit - 2tfs = 75/8 in. - 2(11/4 in.) = 51/8 in.
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