Effect of insulation core type on thermal conductivity of sandwich structure

Abstract

The influence of the layer thickness on the thermal conductivity of a sandwich structure containing an insulation material as the core layer was investigated by developing a corresponding finite element model simulating the structure. The insulation core studied included expanded polystyrene foam, polyurethane and mineral wool core. It was found that an increase in the ratio of core thickness to total surface layer thickness (shelling ratio) resulted in the decrease in the thermal conductivity of the sandwich structure. This change was significant when the shelling ratio was less than one. Regression analysis was conducted to describe the relationships among shelling ratio and thermal conductivities of the sandwich structure and each of its components. The evaluation of the thermal transmittance of the window system containing the sandwich structure used in window or other building components can be more accurate and simple.