Most of the studies on the thermal performance of basement construction systems have focused on modeling. There has been a lack of detailed monitored performance data to substantiate the models. Therefore, a joint research project of industry and the Institute for Research in Construction was initiated to assess the in-situ thermal performance of a number of insulation products used as exterior basement insulation. The effect of two-year monitoring provided an opportunity to analyze, in detail, the heat flow patterns in two experimental walls, each having eight insulation specimens instrumented side by side. This paper presents key findings on both the experimental and analytical side. A number of analytic tools (two-dimensional and three-dimensional analyses) were developed to interpret the temperature fields in detail. As a result, a clearer picture of twoand three-dimensional heat flow patterns within the basement walls was developed. The analysis provided in this paper deals with heat flow through the exterior insulation below grade, as well as vertical and lateral components of heat loss and thermal storage effects in the concrete wall. With this information, the authors can differentiate between the thermal performance of the wall system and that of the insulation materials themselves.

Authors: Michael C. Swinton, P.E.; Wahid Maref, Ph. D.; Mark Bomberg, Ph. D.; M. Kumar Kumaran, Ph. D.; Nicole Normandin

Citation: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VIII

Keywords: December, Florida, 2001