Masonry Magazine June 1981 Page. 14
Brick Masonry in Passive Solar Energy Systems
Brick masonry is an excellent material for use in passive solar energy systems because of its durability, aesthetics, fire resistance, and sound transmission resistance. Brick masonry can be used as a thermal storage component in passive solar energy systems.
Durability
Brick masonry is a durable material that can withstand the effects of weathering and erosion. This makes it an ideal material for use in passive solar energy systems, which are often exposed to the elements. Brick masonry is also resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. Brick masonry is a low-maintenance material that does not require painting or staining. Brick masonry can be cleaned with water and a mild detergent. Brick masonry is a long-lasting material that can last for centuries. Brick masonry is a sustainable material that can be recycled or reused. Brick masonry is a fire-resistant material that can help to protect buildings from fire damage. Brick masonry is a sound-resistant material that can help to reduce noise pollution. Brick masonry is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of applications. Brick masonry is an attractive material that can enhance the appearance of buildings. Brick masonry is a cost-effective material that can save money on energy bills. Brick masonry is a good investment that can increase the value of buildings. Brick masonry is a wise choice for passive solar energy systems. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which are often exposed to direct sunlight. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from thermal shock. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can experience large temperature fluctuations. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from moisture. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be exposed to rain, snow, and humidity. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from chemicals. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be exposed to pollutants in the air and water. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from abrasion. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be exposed to wear and tear from people and equipment. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from impact. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be exposed to collisions from vehicles and other objects. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from vandalism. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be targeted by vandals. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from earthquakes. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in earthquake-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from hurricanes. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in hurricane-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from tornadoes. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in tornado-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from floods. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in flood-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from landslides. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in landslide-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from avalanches. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in avalanche-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from volcanic eruptions. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in volcanic eruption-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from meteorites. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in meteorite-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from nuclear explosions. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in nuclear explosion-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from terrorist attacks. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in terrorist attack-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from war. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in war-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from natural disasters. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in natural disaster-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from man-made disasters. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in man-made disaster-prone areas. Brick masonry is also resistant to damage from any type of disaster. This is important for passive solar energy systems, which can be located in any type of disaster-prone area. Brick masonry can also be used as a finish material, eliminating the need for additional coatings or coverings when trying to optimize on the available thermal storage and thermal energy retrieval. Since coatings and coverings are not required, brick masonry may be exposed to enhance the aesthetics of the building. The use of coating applied to exterior brick masonry is discussed in Technical Notes 7E.
Aesthetics
Brick masonry is normally used as an exterior facade, not only because of its durability but also because it provides architectural freedom. Brick masonry offers many bond patterns, colors and textures. As elements of the building, brick masonry provides options for architectural freedom that no other building material can offer. For instance, not only the texture of the brick itself is available in many varieties, but brick allows variation in wall texture, also. The texture of the wall may be varied by using projected or recessed brick or even sculptured brickwork. The typical modular sizes of brick masonry are given in Technical Notes 10B and common bond patterns are given in Technical Notes 30. Brick masonry used as paving is discussed in Technical Notes 14 Series. Information on the use of brick masonry sills and soffits is provided in Technical Notes 36 Series. The use of brick masonry arches and reinforced brick masonry lintels are discussed in Technical Notes 31 Series and 17H, respectively.
Fire Resistance
Depending upon the specific application of brick masonry in passive solar energy systems, brick masonry may be designed and placed to offer fire protection. The fire resistance of brick masonry is discussed in Technical Notes 16 Series.
Sound Transmission Resistance
Brick masonry, because of its inherent properties offers considerable reduction in sound transmission. Thus, depending on specific design applications, strategically placed thermal storage elements may be used to reduce sound transmission from one area of the building to another or from the exterior to the interior of the building. Information on the sound transmission classification of brick masonry is provided in Technical Notes 5A.
Effective Thermal Storage
The overall performance of the brick masonry as a passive solar energy system thermal storage component is dependent on its absorptivity, emissivity, and ability to store heat. The ability of a material to store heat is usually referred to as heat capacity which is a function of the specific heat and density of a material. In addition to the heat capacity, the way the wave of thermal energy penetrates the material being used to store heat should also be considered. The performance as a thermal storage media may be estimated using the value of the thermal diffusivity of the material. Thermal diffusivity is not only a good value for assisting in the selection of materials but is also useful in simplified heat flow calculations to determine the amount of heat penetrating a material and the number of hours it takes for the heat transmission to occur. This information is useful for selecting the thickness of thermal storage walls, as is discussed in Technical Notes 43E and 43F. The thermal diffusivity is a function of the specific heat, density and thermal conductance of a material.
Specific Heat
The specific heat, c, of a material is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a unit weight of material one degree. The specific heat, c. in Btu per pound per degree Fahrenheit, for brick may vary from 0.20 to 0.26. Typically this variation is due to the impurities in the clay used to manufacture the brick. The greater the percentage of metallic oxides in the clay, usually the greater the specific heat. Building brick which usually have a low percentage of metallic oxides by weight have low specific heats usually between 0.20 to 0.22 Btu/lbF, whereas face brick which contain larger amounts of metallic oxides, typically up to 35%, have specific heats ranging between 0.22 to 0.26 Btu/lb/°F. A value of specific heat of face brick which may be used when the actual specific heat is not known is 0.24 Btu/lb/°F.
For building brick or brick containing a low percentage of metallic oxides, a value of 0.22 Btu/lb/°F may be used. Generally red, brown and blue brick contain high amounts of metallic compounds.
The value of the specific heat for brick may be assumed for brick masonry. The specific heat of grouted hollow brick may be approximated by determining the percent of the brick masonry which is to be grouted, and averaging the specific heat, accordingly. This may be done by adding the product of the specific heat of face brick times the fraction of the brick which is solid, at least 0.60, and the specific heat of grout times the fraction of the brick which is cored, less than or equal to 0.40. For grouted hollow walls, the specific heat for the masonry wall may be modified for the grout by using Equation 1:
[(1×1)+(12)
+(tox)]/(tor+to+)
(1)
where: Average specific heat of a grouted brick
masonry wall, in Btu/lb/°F.
Nominal thickness of the exterior
wythe of brick masonry, in inches.
Specific heat of the brick in the exterior
brick masonry wythe, in Btu/lbF.
Nominal thickness of the interior
wythe of brick masonry, in inches.
Ch
2