Heat Flow Through Framed Wall

[AxisCat]

TL;DR

Trying to get a deeper understanding of how heat energy flows through materials.

Hi All-

I am trying to calculate an overall u-value for a wall with steel c shaped framing. Here is my model, i simplified it to (2) parallel flow paths. I can't be sure if the correction factor I used for the metal stud is even correct:

I am a tradesman and having been performing heating and cooling calculations on structures for 30 years. Thinking about this it occurred to me I don't even have a basic understanding of how heat energy even moves through a material. I am not a scholar and truth be told didn't even graduate high school. The way I visualize this is as the heat energy increases in a material the 'molecules' vibrate at a faster rate. And maybe a material that is a good insulator is able to absorb more heat energy before it starts to heat up.

Can anyone help me out with an easy way to understand this?

Appreciate it!
Axis

 

[Lnewqban]

The way I visualize this is as the heat energy increases in a material the 'molecules' vibrate at a faster rate. And maybe a material that is a good insulator is able to absorb more heat energy before it starts to heat up.

Heat transfer = Flow of energy through a material (as conduction).

Temperature difference (or delta T) = It induces thermal energy flow from a hot source to a cold sink.

Transfer area = Area perpendicular to the flow of thermal energy.

Heat transfer coefficient = Rate at which energy flows or is conducted (material specific).

Specific heat = How much thermal energy a material needs to increase its temperature (not to be considered when a steady flow of thermal energy has been established).

Please, see:
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/conductive-heat-transfer-d_428.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_conduction

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/overall-heat-transfer-coefficient-d_434.html

 

[AxisCat]

Appreciate the reply and i will check out the links you supplied. Thanks for your help and insight.

 

[digitalghost]

Also, check out:

For the U constant:
https://www.engineersedge.com/calculators/overall_coefficient_of_heat_transfer_15675.htm

and for a wall
https://www.engineersedge.com/heat_transfer/conductive_heat_transfer_large_plane_13840.htm

May will need to do a free body diagram the sum then determine an average "U" value.