Thermal bridging atlas of steel construction for improved energy efficiency of buildings (TABASCO) : final report

The TABASCO project investigates how thermal bridging in steel construction can be minimised in order to improve building energy performance. Thermal bridging is particularly relevant to steel technologies used in all forms of construction i.e. in housing and residential buildings, commercial and industrial buildings due to the relative contribution of the steel elements to thermal bridging in highly insulated building envelopes. The main objective of the TABASCO project was to develop an atlas of construction details and to prepare best practice design guidance in relation to thermal bridging, with a view to assisting architects and suppliers in achieving energy efficient steel construction. As part of the project, thermal modelling of a large number of construction details was carried out to assess their thermal bridging performance. Thermally broken steel components were investigated through both thermal modelling and structural testing, and laboratory tests and onsite surveys were also conducted. The project resulted in the development of a series of best practice design guides collating the most useful findings from the work carried out throughout the TABASCO project. The guidance provided includes advice on thermal bridging calculation methods and modelling, and has been prepared in relation to the following forms of construction: single storey buildings, light steel and modular construction and multi-storey buildings. The produced design guides are included in this report in Appendix A.