R-Value and CR Value Spreadsheet (Ver11)

Calculator for R-value and CR-value for walls
Theory and explanatory notes:

If you wish to use the R-value or CR-value calculator move to the next tab.
1. Regulatory requirements is South Africa

The thermal resistance of walls in many types of building in South Africa are required to be in excess of certain mandatory levels for purposes of the revised National Building Regulations and SANS 10400XA. (i) Non-masonry walls should have an R-value of not less than either 1.9 or 2.2m 2K/W depending on the geographic location of the structure (ii) Masonry walls will comply if they comprise of a double brick construction or through the wall 150mm hollow concrete block which are plastered internally. (iii) Other masonry walls should have an R-value which is greater than 0.35m 2K/W. In the SANS 204 Energy Efficiency in buildings standard, a performance requirement for walling is set out which ensures a higher level of energy efficiency, amdit is recommended this be used as a basis for the rational design of walls.
2. Calculation of thermal resistance (R)

Building elements, particularly those in the shell of a structure give protection from the outside environment, and from extremes of heat and cold. The measures of how effectively the shell of a building maintains an equable temperature for the benefit of occupants is in part via the thermal resistance of the shell. The thermal resistance of a building element or materials provides that the flow of heat (always from hot to cold temperature) is impeded. This impedance is measured in terms of the total R-value, which is the sum of all the component R-values of the various materials, the inner and outer air surfaces and any airspaces that make up the composite building element. This is achieved using equation:
Where: hi ho a1an
R = The total thermal resistance of the wall = coefficient of heat transfer for inner surface of wall, = coefficient of heat transfer for outer surface of wall = air-spaces coefficient of heat transfer
d1...dn = thickness of each successive layer of materials k1 ...kn = thermal conductivity of n successive layers or different materials comprising the element (W/mK) Then if: d1 = 0,114 m for a single course of brick k1 = 0,82 W/mK for brick work Then: R = = 0,60 m2K/W
The average thermal resistance of the shell is the weighted average of the various Rvalues of the elements or the inverse of the average U-value of the building shell. Where: Un = 1/Rn and UAverage = A1 x U1 + ...An/Rn A RS =1/UAverage
3. Thermal Capacitance (C )
As daily temperatures fluctuate externally and as the building shell becomes exposed to solar radiation and then outward radiation at night-time, the surface temperature of an external wall will also fluctuate. In winter (heating) conditions the heat of the day can usefully contribute to maintaining internal temperatures in the comfort zone, as some portion of the heat gain is passed through the wall, often with a lag in time in which case this heat arrives at a useful time when the building is being heated. This serves to reduce the overall heating requirement if the building is occupied and heated at night. Similarly in the hot season night-time, walls can create a heat sink which will absorb unwanted heat during the day. This physical property is known as the thermal capacitance (C)
4. Calculation of heat storing capacity of a structure

The calculation of the heat-storing capacity of the structure as a whole is complicated by the position of any high mass element relative to any possible insulation which might prevent that mass from accepting heat or giving it up to the internal environment when it is required for comfort. In its simplest form the thermal mass is the product of the volume of an element multiplied by the density of the material times the specific heat of the material, being the amount of heat necessary to change a unit mass of a substance by one degree K in temperature. It is convenient to express the heat-storing capacity of the shell in terms of the building shell area, i.e. external walls as these are generally the major contributors to the total capacity, and are unlikely to be compromised by wall covering as may be the case for the floors of buildings. In SANS 204 the heat storing ability of the structure is measured as the CR-value which is described below
5. CR-value
The rate of heat transfer through the element (or wall or layer within a wall) is determined by a combination of factors or variables. These are: The Specific Heat (capacity) of the materials used (c), the size and volume of the element (V), the density () and hence the mass of material, as well as the accessibility of this thermal capacitance, which is governed by the thermal resistances of the component layers (R) and external surface resistances (h), all contributing to a thermal time constant for the element. For the purposes of SANS204 a table of requirements has been set out in terms of a simplified CR-value for each climatic region of South Africa and for various occupancies. This is the product of the themal capacity and the thermal resistance. The weighting of the elements in terms of their position in the wall relative to the heat source is excluded from the calculation.
6. Calculation of thermal capacity

The thermal capacity is the sum of the thermal capacity of the building elements divided by the total area of all the elements
-2 CS = V1p1c1 + . Vnpncn kJKm
A Where V1Vn the volumes of various layers or components of structure (m) p1, ..pn mass densities of various components (kg m -) C1,..C2 specific heats of various components (kJC-1 kg-1) A total area of shell (m) CS = (V1p1c1 + . + Vnpncn) (A1 + . + An )
7. Calculation of CR-value in terms of SANS 204

The calculation of CR-value of the shell of the strucure for the purposes of SANS 204 is simply to multiply the R-value by the C-value and this we refer to as the CR-value.
CR= Cs * Rs* 0.2777

The factor of 0.2777 is to convert the units from seconds to hours.
20 W/m2K 9,4 W/m2K 6,2 W/m2K m
he element (W/mK)
R-value and CR-value calculator

Notes for users: This model can handle up to 15 wall elements or air-spaces which should be selected below: The internal and external surface heat transfer coefficients are pre-entered Start at the top - enter layers from outside to inside in the material selection field. Select the material from the dropdown list of options, then enter the thickness of the material If a layer is not required in the wall leave the selection on "None" with zero thickness The resultant output is displayed across in the input section
Inputs
Wall elements Select the material Layer thickness
First click the yellow box and then a dropddown icon will appear. (Millimeters)
Outside surface coefficient Outer plaster or rendering Outer thermal insulation Outer air space Outer masonry or structural element Mid wall outer air space Mid-wall thermal insulation Mid wall inner air space Mid-wall masory or structural element Inner wall air-space Inner wall thermal insulation Inner masonry or structural element Inner air-space Inner liner insulation Inner liner or partitioning Inner plaster or rendering Inner surface coefficient None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Results
R-value for the wall C-value for the wall CR-value for the wall
2 0.16 m K/W 2 0 kJ/m K
0 Hours

R-Value and CR Value Spreadsheet (Ver11)

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What are the factors that determine the heat transfer rate through building elements?

How is thermal resistance (R-value) calculated?

Calculator for R-value and CR-value for walls

Theory and explanatory notes:

1. Regulatory requirements is South Africa

2. Calculation of thermal resistance (R)

4. Calculation of heat storing capacity of a structure

6. Calculation of thermal capacity

7. Calculation of CR-value in terms of SANS 204

CR= Cs * Rs* 0.2777

20 W/m2K 9,4 W/m2K 6,2 W/m2K m

R-value and CR-value calculator

2 0.16 m K/W 2 0 kJ/m K

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