Author

STEPHEN ZSEMBERY*, ROBIN E. CLARKE** and TOM MCNEILLY***
*Brick &. Mortar Research Laboratory, **CSIRO, Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
***Consultant Architect
Abstract

The relationship between thermal conductivity and bulk density of 14 brickwork test panels was measured and found to be similar to that reported on a range of British masonry materials. Good relationships were also found to exist between panel conductivity and perforation volumes and bulk densities of the constituent unit. Panels having the highest bulk densities (typically made from pressed bricks) were found to be the best conductors of heat and, as expected, highly perforated extruded units, being less dense, were found to be the best insulators. The results support substantially increased R-values for brickwork in Australian building regulations and thermal performance calculations.