Thermal Insulation and Radiation Control Technologies for Buildings

Dr. Kosny is a leading building envelope researcher with over 30 years of experience in the building sciences. He leads the Building Enclosure Research Program at the Fraunhofer CSE. The main focus of this R&D program is on Building Physics, High-Performance Thermal Control Materials, and Building Integrated PV Technologies. Dr. Kosny holds a Ph.D. in Building Physics from the Polish Academy of Sciences. Prior to joining the Fraunhofer CSE, Dr. Kosny spent 18 years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he developed several high-performance building envelope and BIPV concepts. Since 1981, he has held a number of faculty positions in Europe and North America and published more than 120 technical papers and numerous patents related to advanced building concepts. Dr. Kosny is an active member of the committees ASTM C16, ASHRAE TC 4.4, and ASHRAE TC 4.7. He has represented the United States in various international organizations and standards bodies including the International Energy Agency. Dr. Kosny is the winner of a 2009 R&D 100 Award for the development of a novel phase-change product.

Dr. David W. Yarbrough, Vice-President of R&D Services, Inc., located in Cookeville, TN, USA, is a Professor of Chemical Engineering, Emeritus at Tennessee Technological University, where he served for 32 years as a faculty member and Departmental Chairperson. In 2011, he retired from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory after 30 years as a part-time research participant in the area of thermal insulations and materials. Dr. Yarbrough's research in both of the above positions included thermal insulation design, evaluation, and use. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and registration as a professional engineer. Dr. Yarbrough is an active member of ASTM Committee C16 (Thermal Insulation) with task-group leadership and subcommittee assignments. Dr. Yarbrough is a fellow and governing board member of the International Thermal Conductivity Conference, a fellow and past president of the Tennessee Academy of Science, and a member of ASHRAE. In addition to an active history of publications and presentations, and he is the author of handbook chapters dealing with thermal insulation and a book chapter dealing with reflective insulation. Dr. Yarbrough is a member of the Editorial Boards for the Journal of Building Physics and the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science. His current employment is with R&D Services, Inc., an accredited test laboratory that deals with thermal insulations and related building products.

This book offers a unique treatment of building insulating products and the integration of these products with building components. This book was written for all those involved in building design, specification, construction, and commissioning, providing them with an understanding of and appreciation for the wide variety of thermal insulation products and technologies available for use in all types of buildings. The book proceeds from basic definitions and discussion of heat-transfer topics and thermal insulation concepts, to the design and use of these products. The impact of thermal insulation on dynamic building performance, including factors other than heating and cooling, is also discussed.

The book does not require an advanced mathematical background. The authors provide sufficient information to provide a qualitative understanding, with more mathematical sections included for those interested in modeling and analysis. The basic physics associated with heat transfer in buildings are presented, along with the steady-state and transient analysis techniques needed for the effective implementation of thermal insulation and assemblies.

Modern building design involves the integration of comfort, safety, economics, durability and cost considerations, all of which impact the selection and use of thermal insulation materials in buildings. In addition to theoretical explanations of the underlying science, the book details the properties and application of new thermal insulation materials, including vacuum panels, gas-filled panels, aerogels, phase-change materials, and radiation control technologies.

Given its scope, the book will be of interest to researchers and building engineers wishing to understand the latest technologies and materials available, so as to achieve reduced energy consumption in commercial and residential buildings.

Introduction.- Thermal Insulation Materials and Radiation Control Technologies.- Why Buildings Need Thermal Insulations and Radiation Control Technologies.- A Short History of Thermal Insulation Use in Buildings.- An Overview of Past and Present Radiation Control Applications in Buildings.- Thermal Insulation Performance - Heat Transfer Fundamentals.- Thermal Bridging - a Construction Reality.-  Building Energy Dynamics - Thermal Mass, Thermal Comfort and Energy Conservation.- Impact of Hygrothermal Processes on Building Enclosure Performance.- Thermal Insulations Using Natural Materials.- Fibrous and Particulate Insulations.- Lightweight Concretes, Gypsums, and Clay-Based Materials as Insulation.- Cellular-Plastic Insulations.- High Performance Thermal Insulations.- Dynamic Thermal Insulations.- Today's Radiation Control Products for Use in Buildings.- Physical Characteristics and Test Methods for Thermal Insulations.- Thermal Insulations and Fire Safety.- Thermal Insulation and Sound Transmission.- Health Impact of Common Building Insulations.- References.- Appendices.