Thermal performance of various insulations in below-earth-grade perimeter application

Journal Article · Mon Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1981 · Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5240729

Ovstaas, G; Smith, S; Strzepek, W; Titley, G

Much work has been presented in an effort to document the thermal performance of insulating materials in severe moisture environments, such as highway roadbeds and upside-down roofs. Relatively little has been done, however, to evaluate the thermal performance of insulations installed below-grade on the perimeters of buildings. To better understand the effect of the potentially moist perimeter environment on insulating materials, field studies were carried out in which several materials were installed below the earth grade on portions of the perimeters of two commercial buildings. The structures were located in Granville, Ohio, and Sarnia, Ontario. The thermal insulations evaluated were polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, molded bead polystyrene, and extruded polystyrene rigid foams. Water absorption and thermal transmission data were collected for specimens recovered following earth exposures of approximately 6 and 18 months. Measured thermal transmission data were compared with values calculated from mathematical equations introduced in previously published work. Analysis of measured data indicated that the thermal transmission of several insulations increased significantly as a result of exposure to the perimeter environment.

• Research Organization: Ontario Research Foundation, Mississauga, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5240729
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States) Vol. STP-789; ISSN ASTTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320104* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Commercial & Industrial Buildings-- (-1987)
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360404 -- Materials-- Polymers & Plastics-- Physical Properties-- (-1987)
ABSORPTION
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EFFICIENCY
FIELD TESTS
ISOCYANATES
LEVELS
MATERIALS
MOISTURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASTICS
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYSTYRENE
POLYURETHANES
POLYVINYLS
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TESTING
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
UNDERGROUND
USES