Hygrothermal Analysis of Masonry Wall with Reed Boards as Interior Insulation System

Kadri Keskküla, Tambet Aru, Mihkel Kiviste and Martti-Jaan Miljan
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Kadri Keskküla: Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, F. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51006, Estonia
Tambet Aru: Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, F. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51006, Estonia
Mihkel Kiviste: Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, F. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51006, Estonia
Martti-Jaan Miljan: Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, F. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51006, Estonia

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 20, 1-10

Abstract: When the masonry walls of buildings under heritage protection need to be restored and thermally improved, the only option is to use an interior insulation system. This is also the riskiest method of insulating walls in cold climates. Capillary active interior insulation systems have been proven to be the most reliable, minimizing the risk of mold growth and decay caused by condensation. They have also been proven to be less risky in wind-driven rain. The building studied is situated in a heritage-conservation area in downtown Tartu, Estonia, and therefore cannot be insulated from the exterior. This paper compares the hygrothermal performance of four different interior insulation systems with and without a heating cable and vapor barrier. In the first case, Isover Vario KM Duplex UV was placed between reed panels. In the second case, reed panels were used without the vapor barrier. Data loggers were applied between the reed panels and the original wall and inside the room to measure temperature and relative humidity in one-hour intervals. Exterior temperature and relative humidity values were taken from the Estonian University of Life Sciences Institute of Technology weather service station. In addition to the measurements taken in the case study building, calculations were made using heat-air-moisture (HAM) Delphin software to simulate the situation. The use of a smart vapor retarder (Isover Vario KM Duplex UV) with reed panels in the interior insulation system reduced the relative humidity level inside the wall. The vapor retarder improved the drying-potential compared to the interior insulation system without the vapor barrier.

Keywords: interior insulation; hygrothermal performance; reed insulation; heating cable (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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