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Materials Science and Engineering

Series

2013

Insulation

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

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Managing Moisture - The Key To Healthy Internal Wall Insulation Retrofits Of Solid Walls, Joseph Little, Benat Arregi Apr 2013

Managing Moisture - The Key To Healthy Internal Wall Insulation Retrofits Of Solid Walls, Joseph Little, Benat Arregi

Conference papers

This study investigates the appropriateness of internally insulating solid walls to the Passivhaus standard. A number of variables are assessed using numerical hygrothermal simulation (under EN 15026) to check (1) associated risk of mould growth on original substrate and (2) if they result in a greater likelihood of timber decay at built-in joist ends. While air and vapour control layers (AVCLs) perform well regarding mould risk in low absorption walls, the results question their appropriateness where joist ends are built-in: when AVCLs are used, moisture levels at joist ends can potentially rise above critical thresholds, even in low absorption walls. …


Transient And Quasi-Steady Thermal Behaviour Of A Building Envelope Due To Retrofitted Cavity Wall And Ceiling Insulation, Aimee Byrne, Gerard Byrne, Anna Davies, Anthony Robinson Jan 2013

Transient And Quasi-Steady Thermal Behaviour Of A Building Envelope Due To Retrofitted Cavity Wall And Ceiling Insulation, Aimee Byrne, Gerard Byrne, Anna Davies, Anthony Robinson

Articles

Accurate understanding of the thermal behaviour of building components is essential for predicting heat-ing or cooling needs and facilitates the implementation of more successful energy saving strategies and retrofits. This paper focuses on a specific measure commonly introduced through the residential energy efficiency retrofit programmes in Ireland–insulation. Traditionally, assessments of the performance of building envelopes have been based on assumed thermal resistances of the materials involved, labora-tory tests and computer modelling. The aim of the present work is to investigate the in situ thermal behaviour of a case study building and its components under transient and quasi-steady environmental conditions, comparing …