A quick method of measuring thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of building fabrics

✍ Scribed by K.N. Agarwal; V.V. Verma

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1967
• Weight: 477 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-3628
• DOI: 10.1016/0007-3628(67)90016-3

✦ Synopsis

A simple method has been developed for rapid determination of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of building and insulating materials. The thermal conductivity has been measured in the steady state by introducing a heat flow meter in the twin sample arrangement whereas thermal diffusivity measurement has been done by recording the temperature history at the mid-point of a twin sample. One of the faces of the sample is in contact with a constant temperature source, while the temperature of the other face is maintained at the ambient level. Theoretical analysis has proved that the thermal response function is a delayed exponential function with rise time defined by the ratio d2/2D. Measurements of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the standard sample (wall insulating board)from National Bureau of Standards, U.S.A. and other building fabrics have revealed that the method can be employed by the laboratories for testing building and insulating materials which are commonly used, in the temperature range below IO0°C with +_5 per cent accuracy and simple experimental set up.