VANGEEM, Martha G.

OPTIMAL THERMAL MASS AND R-VALUE IN CONCRETE

Abstract eng:
The thermal performance of wall systems is determined by two parameters. The steady-state thermal resistance is well established in building codes. Thermal inertia, the reluctance of the wall to change temperature when exposed to a dynamic temperature regime, is considerably more complicated, less well understood and has been approximated in codes and standards by crude assumptions. This paper reports the influence of density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat on the dynamic testing of wall and unit specimens and the impact of these criteria on energy transfer. Results show that for exterior single-layer uninsulated concrete product walls, the beneficial effects of thermal inertia (sometimes referred to as thermal mass) are increased as density is reduced from 2400 kg/m³ (150 lb/ft³) to 800 kg/m³ (50 lb/ft³).

Contributors:

RIES, John P.

Publisher:

Japan Concrete Institute, Tokyo

Conference Title:

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Concrete Sustainability

Conference Title:

First International Conference on Concrete Sustainability

Conference Venue:

Tokyo (JP)

Conference Dates:

2013-05-27 / 2013-05-29