Opportunities of Light Steel Framing towards thermal comfort in southern European climates: Long-term monitoring and comparison with the heavyweight construction

• Published in: Building and environment 2021-08, Vol.200, p.107937, Article 107937
• Main Authors: Roque, Eduardo, Vicente, Romeu, Almeida, Ricardo M.S.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brick construction; Brickwork; Climate; Concrete construction; Construction materials; Experimental research; Framing; Indoor environments; Indoor thermal comfort; Indoor thermal environment; Intermittent occupation; Light steel framing; Masonry; Masonry construction; Mediterranean climate; Reinforced concrete; Reinforcing steels; Steel frames; Thermal comfort; Thermal environments
• ISSN: 0360-1323; 1873-684X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107937

In a climate such as the southern European, heavyweight buildings have been associated with improved indoor comfort conditions. The heavyweight reinforced concrete and brick masonry construction is the most widespread and technically known constructive system. However, alternative lightweight systems have been gaining market share, such as the Light Steel Framing (LSF). Experimental research focused on the comparison between the two constructive systems is yet scarce. The present work intends to focus on this research gap by analysing and comparing the performance of the two constructive systems in terms of indoor thermal environment and thermal comfort, considering an intermittent residential occupation. To this end, a robust experimental campaign was carried out, based on the construction and monitoring of two identical experimental test cells, differing only in the constructive system. The test cells are located in Portugal and were monitored for one full year. It is shown that the LSF constructive system presents higher daily indoor temperature fluctuation and more expressive peak values, following closer the outdoor dry-bulb temperature variations. The obtained results also evidence the opportunities of the LSF constructive system in terms of indoor thermal comfort, presenting, in general terms, a more promising scenario on the performed annual analyses. •Comparison of constructive systems: Lightweight Steel Framing vs heavyweight masonry.•Experimental campaign carried out in two full-scale test cells.•One-year round monitoring for indoor environment and thermal comfort assessment.•LSF presents nearly 20% less accumulated degree hours of discomfort on an annual basis.•LSF benefits from intermittent residential occupancy and mild climate conditions.