Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
(OP)
Hi everyone,
New member and first post here. We have a Client who has a freezer room next to an office (separated by an interior partition wall) and they are experiencing condensation on the interior wall and along floor between the two rooms because of the temperature and relative humidity differential between the two spaces. I was informed that this phenomenon is known as "thermal bridging".
One of the solutions that our building engineer is recommending is to provide a joint in the concrete floor slab filled with insulation foam (directly underneath the interior partition wall that separates the two spaces) in order to provide a thermal break between the two spaces. Right now, it appears that one of the contributors to the condensation on the wall and floor is the travel of the cool air from the freezer room to the warm side of the office via the concrete floor slab. The concrete slab construction is currently unknown. It is possibly between 6 to 12 inches thick. It is either reinforced concrete slab on grade or a post-tension concrete slab.
My question to everyone is - what are your ideas on how to go about installing this new insulated joint in the concrete slab to provide a thermal break? Presumably the slab will need to be cut through its entire thickness in order for the thermal break to be effective. I have concerns about cutting through the rebar if it is a concrete slab on grade and I have even bigger concerns about cutting through the post-tension cables if it is a PT concrete slab.
Any ideas would be appreciated!
New member and first post here. We have a Client who has a freezer room next to an office (separated by an interior partition wall) and they are experiencing condensation on the interior wall and along floor between the two rooms because of the temperature and relative humidity differential between the two spaces. I was informed that this phenomenon is known as "thermal bridging".
One of the solutions that our building engineer is recommending is to provide a joint in the concrete floor slab filled with insulation foam (directly underneath the interior partition wall that separates the two spaces) in order to provide a thermal break between the two spaces. Right now, it appears that one of the contributors to the condensation on the wall and floor is the travel of the cool air from the freezer room to the warm side of the office via the concrete floor slab. The concrete slab construction is currently unknown. It is possibly between 6 to 12 inches thick. It is either reinforced concrete slab on grade or a post-tension concrete slab.
My question to everyone is - what are your ideas on how to go about installing this new insulated joint in the concrete slab to provide a thermal break? Presumably the slab will need to be cut through its entire thickness in order for the thermal break to be effective. I have concerns about cutting through the rebar if it is a concrete slab on grade and I have even bigger concerns about cutting through the post-tension cables if it is a PT concrete slab.
Any ideas would be appreciated!






RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
My concern about cutting a concrete slab on grade is that the joint may have to be cut all the way through the slab thickness for the thermal break to be effective, as opposed to just cutting a shallow sawcut joint and filling with insulation material.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
For a ground supported, mildly reinforced slab, the full depth cut probably won't pose a problem unless you're dealing with serious racking loads etc.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
My apologies for the jumbled (or lack thereof) information. I only learned of this issue today and am trying to get some brainstorming going before my meeting tomorrow.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
Ventilating the wet area can also be a solution. Ventilation can heat the area enough to not sweat.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
Like others have said, if it's not a PEMB or PT, I'd cut it.
RE: Ideas for installing a thermal break joint in an existing concrete slab???
If putting the joint in the concrete, you might want to align the joint with the outside edge of the partition (cold side). Some (any permanent freezing cold storage has heating loops under the slab to prevent frost from going down into the soil. Careful for the heating loops.
Dik