Application of monolithic foam concrete in building envelopes of a cottage, used in conditions of intermittent heating

Abstract

The paper focuses upon the peculiarities of application of monolithic foam concrete as a heat-insulating layer in building envelopes of houses used in conditions of intermittent heating. The researchers analyze thermal characteristics, review literature describing the application of foam concrete in construction and demonstrate this material applicability at outer walls insulating, taking buildings and constructions with variable thermal behaviour as an example. The paper outlines main criteria that building envelopes of such structures should meet. To assess the effectiveness of monolithic foam concrete in building envelopes application, the authors carried out thermo-technical calculation of the outer walls, insulated with monolithic foam concrete. The graphs of dependence of multilayer building envelope heating time upon thickness of a heat-insulating layer and upon heat transmission resistance of the construction was obtained on the basis of these calculations. The dependence of specific energy consumption upon the heating time is also given in the paper. The study reveals the optimal range of thickness and density of monolithic foam concrete for insulating outer walls of buildings, used in in conditions of intermittent heating. This calculation also proves that the application of foam concrete as an insulant on the inside of the outer wall makes it possible to reduce the load on the building foundation.