Nirvana™ Sandwich Panels

Nirvana™ is an insulated concrete sandwich panel system developed by Reid Construction systems that maximises thermal efficiency by combining insulation with the high thermal mass properties of concrete.

Thermal Mass has the overall effect of flattening out the temperature variations of the internal environment. Typical Nirvana™ houses require little or no cooling during summer, or warming during winter.

At the heart of the Nirvana system is the unique, round Nirvana Connector pin, which can be placed at any orientation around the long axis without affecting bending strength. The connectors are pushed through polystyrene insulation and placed at 600mm centres. Additional connectors should be used in narrow sections around openings in a wall panel.
Nirvana utilises the thermal conductivity benefits of EPS polystyrene that has a nominal minimum density of 28kg/m3. EPS polystyrene is a closed cell material that does not readily absorb water, unless subjected to prolonged saturation. Even when saturated EPS maintains its shape, size, structure, physical appearance and approximately 85% of its insulation value. EPS is environmental friendly as it contains no CFC’s or HCFC’s.

Links
Nirvana Brochure

Nirvana Performance

Thermal Performance of Nirvana according to the BCA

The RStatic Values of standard Nirvana panel configurations can be calculated as follows:

Wall Element Themral Conductivity 50mm/55mm/150mm 75mm/65mm/150mm
Thickness R-Value Thickness R-Value
Outside air film     0.03   0.03
Exterior concrete panel 1.44 0.05m 0.03 0.075m 0.05
Nirvana insulation 0.0352 0.055m 1.56 0.065m 1.85
Interior concrete panel 1.44 0.15m 0.10 0.15m 0.10
Interior air form     0.12   0.12
TOTAL RStatic     1.84   2.15

The Nirvana System utilises a high density EPS insulation board that while ‘water-proof’ still
allows the wall system to ‘breathe’. As such, it does not form a vapour barrier, which would
cause internal vapour to condense and form a dew point at the interface of the internal concrete
panel and the insulation. With Nirvana, dew point is designed to occur on the inner face
of the outer concrete panel.

All components of the Reid Nirvana System are resistant to moisture, however, when Nirvana
panels are taken below ground, it is advisable to provide suitable sub-grade drainage to prevent
the exposed edges of Nirvana EPS insulation boards becoming subjected to hydrostatic
water pressure. Joints in Nirvana wall panels can be sealed with a suitable backing rod and
sealant.