Tenpierik, M J; Cauberg, J J M and Thorsell, T I (2007) Integrating vacuum insulation panels in building constructions: An integral perspective. Construction Innovation, 7(1), pp. 38-53. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – Although vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) are thermal insulators that combine high thermal performance with limited thickness, application in the building sector is still rare due to lack of scientific knowledge on the behaviour of these panels applied in building constructions. This paper, therefore, seeks to give an overview of the requirements for and the behaviour of VIPs integrated into building components and constructions. Moreover, the interaction between different requirements on and properties of these integrated components are discussed in detail, since a desired high quality of the finished product demands an integral approach regarding all properties and requirements, especially during the design phase. Therefore, the importance of an integral design approach to application of VIPs is shown and emphasized in this paper. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve this objective, the legally and technically required properties of VIPs and especially their interrelationships have been studied, resulting in a relationship diagram. Based on these investigations of thermal-, service life- and structural-properties have been selected to be studied more elaborately using experimental set-up for structural testing and simulation software for thermal and hygrothermal testing. Findings – Two relationships between requirements or properties were found to be of principal importance for the design of façade components in which VIPs are integrated. First, thermal performance requirements strongly interact with structural performance, principally through the edge spacer of this façade component. A high thermal performance requires minimization of the thermal edge effect, in most cases reducing the structural performance of the entire panel. Second, an important relationship between thermal performance and service life has been recognised. The operating phenomenon mainly governing this interaction is thermal conductivity aging. Originality/value – Most research in the field of vacuum insulation until now has been directed towards gaining knowledge on specific properties of the product, especially on thermal and hygrothermal properties. The relationships and interactions between these properties and the structural behaviour, however, have been neglected. This paper, therefore, addresses the need for an integral design (and study) approach for the application of VIPs in architectural constructions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building specifications; integration; structural design; thermal efficiency; vacuum devices |
| Index terms: | efficiency, service life, building specification, thermal conductivity, design phase, investigation, interaction, testing, insulation, thickness, minimization, spacer, building construction, integration, methodology, thermal performance, building component, structural design |
| Subjects: | architectural elements, research methods, algorithms, performance management, material properties and characteristics, organizational analysis, building construction, asset management, behavioral psychology, data collection methods, architectural engineering, materials science, building materials, professional practice, energy systems |
| Topics: | Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Construction Technology, Quality Management, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here