Experimental Study on Different Types of Insulating Layers in Multilayer Wall Structures

Abstract

The present study reports thermal profile observations related to the on-field experiments in hot dry climatic zone on four identical test building structures each having dimension 2×2 sq. ft. (0.61×0.61 sq. m.) but with different insulating layers. The experiments have been performed at Kota, Rajasthan, India. All four structures are made of fly ash brick wall and roof is made of concrete. Concrete roof is made on wood slab. In all four structures an opening of 10×12 square inches (0.25m×0.30m) is given in south direction. In one structure no insulation is applied, it is taken as the standard reference structure. In others structures, insulating layers of polystyrene, polyurethane, expanded polystyrene (thermocol) and gypsum board have been used. Temperature profiles for the structures with time are presented with the observations of ambient temperatures and solar radiation. The observations reveal that the heat transfer reduces with addition of insulating layer as compared to conventional plaster-brick-plaster wall.