ESP Pins for sandwich panels

The assessment of the thermal performance of building envelopes is a highly topical issue in relation to the problem of limiting energy consumption and implications of an environmental nature, also in light of transposition in Italy of Directive 2002/91/ EC regarding energy performance in construction. To meet the needs of its customers that are specialised in the production of thermal break cladding panels, Edilmatic has studied and tested a new connection system called Spina ESP (ESP Pin) which allows the creation of multilayer sandwich cladding panels with thermal insulation, preventing thermal bridges. In this type of panels there are two layers of concrete (external load-bearing and internal load-bearing) between which a layer of thermal insulation material is interposed. The ESP connection, suitably prepared, connects the two layers of concrete, crossing the thermal insulation layer and supporting the external panel. 
The Edilmatic ESP connection pins are available in two versions ESP 200 and ESP 260, depending on the thickness of the thermal insulation material used.
The ESP 200 pins may be used with layers of insulation up to 80 mm thick and with a maximum load in use corresponding to Cu = 80 kg. The ESP 260 pins may be used with insulation layers over 60 mm and up to 100 mm with variable load capacities from 60 kg to 30 kg, always dependent on insulation thickness.

The ESP pins are made of thermoplastic material: it is a polyamide-66 composite, reinforced for 50% by glass-fibre and heat stabilised, by injection moulding.
The very low thermal conductivity of this material allows correct distribution of temperatures inside the panel, inhibiting the creation of thermal bridges and determining panel transmittance values that are lower than those resulting from the use of metal connectors. The modest stiffness of the material also means the insert can "accommodate" displacements between concrete layers due to thermal expansion to which the panels are subject. The pin also has excellent mechanical properties (traction, bending and shear strength) and its special shape makes it very easy to insert it into any type of thermal insulating material.

For the special features of both the material and the product, a series of trial tests have been conducted, with the aim of determining the mechanical and physical features of the pins in various situations of potential use. All technical reports for tests conducted which also concerned the behaviour of the connector in basic environments and at different temperatures are available from Edilmatic.
All trial testing for determining the mechanical features of the Plug and Connection were conducted at the University of Brescia.
To support designers, with pins, Edilmatic provides a software application called k-term, verified and validated by ICMQ, which allows users to obtain details on the correct arrangement of the inserts in the panel (graphic in dxf) and to also obtain data on the thermal transmittance of the panels made in compliance with the requirements of the UNI EN 6946:2008 standard.