Determine R Value of Exterior Wall - Get Help Now!

  • Thread starter ghboom
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Value
In summary, the conversation revolved around determining the R value of an exterior wall, with one person proposing the use of thermography and another suggesting a more theoretical approach. The main question posed was how to determine the R value of a wall made with different materials without any prior knowledge of the materials used. The conversation also touched on the impact of anomalies, such as gaps or compressions, on the overall R value of a wall. Ultimately, it was concluded that a larger sample size would be more reliable in determining the R value of a wall.
  • #1
ghboom
6
0
... I need you folks !

Simply putting it, Id like to determine the R value of an exterior wall.

Im willing to treat the assembly as one and assign the R for the
complete assembly.

if anyone can come up with anything, Id love to hear it.

From what I have so far, comparing it to electricity, the problem may be figuring
the equivalent of I as E/I*R

thanks in advance..
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Heat transfer is just proportional to temperature difference: q=k(dT)

But I'm actually not sure what you're going for here. Are you trying to do it by experiment? Or just based on what you know of the materials the wall is built from?
 
  • #3
what I am going for ? Imagine you were given a task, to figure out a walls R value
with no information on what's in it, and your not allowed to look.
Or
you have a wall with a proposed R value, you need to verify it ...

How could you do it by measuring ?
 
  • #4
In practice, it is usually calculated from theoretical values and verified by thermography.
 
  • #5
problem is thermography doesn't show R values, just differences in heat.

If heat were water and the the hull was a wall, how could you see how much water leaked in a given area while being on one side or the other ...
 
  • #6
ghboom said:
problem is thermography doesn't show R values, just differences in heat.

If heat were water and the the hull was a wall, how could you see how much water leaked in a given area while being on one side or the other ...

Right. It requires a reference.
 
  • #7
Experimentally, you can take a heated room, shut off the heat, and watch the cooling profile. I'm actually doing that in a room right now...
 
  • #8
ok, Think of it like this...
Say you were given a brand new wall, A real honest wall in a new home. Instead of sheet rock, it had a new material called plasti-rock, then instead of
2x4 studs the wall has 5"x5" rails 24 OC made out of (pick any new material) and it was insulated with treated popcorn.
the exterior sheathing was made from tree bark, and the siding was rubber.

Your task is to find the R value of 5 sections, all measuring 1' square..

Could you (or anyone) figure out how to do it ?
 
  • #9
ghboom said:
ok, Think of it like this...
Say you were given a brand new wall, A real honest wall in a new home. Instead of sheet rock, it had a new material called plasti-rock, then instead of
2x4 studs the wall has 5"x5" rails 24 OC made out of (pick any new material) and it was insulated with treated popcorn.
the exterior sheathing was made from tree bark, and the siding was rubber.

Your task is to find the R value of 5 sections, all measuring 1' square..

Could you (or anyone) figure out how to do it ?

Go back to Russ's answer previous.

However, the answer to the posed question, which I'm now certain is a homework question, is most likely no. Any testing which is compliant with ASTM C 236 or C 976 will require a specimen considerably larger than 1'x1'.
 
  • #10
Actually, my previous post was not quite right - thermal inertia is difficult to estimate and has a large impact there. A better way would be to integrate over time and delta-T the heat provided by a heater to keep the room warm.
 
  • #11
TVP, No this honestly isn't a Homework question.
The Reason for 1 ft sq, any larger can introduce
anomalys. A small section should be consistent.

Im Happy russ keyed back in, because the whole room is being
profiled, not a section measured.

R value per sq ft is a very meaningful value...
 
  • #12
Anomalies? What kind? Seems like the only such effects might be at the edges and a larger section minimizes that. What is this thing?
 
  • #13
Insulation values take a big hits for small gaps, areas of compression,
pipes in the bay etc...

If you have a 16" bay insulated well, close to perfect, then a sample from the
center is as good as that wall can be. That is the purpose of
my quest.

But to entertain the question further, If that 1 bay was perfect, and
the larger sample picked up pipes, 3 studs, compressions then the
perfect square foot took a large hit.

Determining the R value of a fake wall can show this more...
take a non standard 125' x 8' wall
(OA 1000 sq ft) built using 2x10 studs and single plates...
If the wall is built 16"oc

95 studs at 93" high R 7.5
32 studs for 1 top and 1 bottom plate at a full 8'
Cavity insulation, yet to be invented 9.5" R-100 fiber-stop1
1 large window 9' wide 5' high U= .35

whats the over all R value ?

Studs R7.5 U .13333 92 Sq ft UA=12.26
Plates R7.5 U .13333 2.6 Sq ft UA = .355555
Wall R100 U .01 860.4 sq ft UA = 8.604
window U .35 45 Sq ft UA = 15.75

1000 sq ft / 36.96 = Over all R27.7

The R 100 wall lost 72.3 on its over all R because of 16% performing poorly.

So accidently measuring areas that are already known bad performers cant
reliably say how well a product can perform...
 

1. What is the R value of an exterior wall?

The R value of an exterior wall is a measure of its thermal resistance, or how well it can resist heat flow. It is calculated by dividing the thickness of the wall by the thermal conductivity of the material. The higher the R value, the more insulating the wall is.

2. Why is it important to determine the R value of an exterior wall?

Determining the R value of an exterior wall is important because it can help determine the energy efficiency of a building. A higher R value means better insulation, which can lead to lower energy costs and a more comfortable living or working environment.

3. How can I determine the R value of an exterior wall?

The R value of an exterior wall can be determined by using a variety of methods, including thermal imaging, insulation thickness measurements, and consulting building plans and material specifications. It is recommended to consult a professional for an accurate and comprehensive assessment.

4. What factors can affect the R value of an exterior wall?

The R value of an exterior wall can be affected by a variety of factors, including the type of insulation used, the thickness and density of the insulation, the presence of air gaps or moisture, and the quality of installation. Climate and location can also impact the R value, as well as the type and condition of the building materials.

5. Can the R value of an exterior wall be improved?

Yes, the R value of an exterior wall can be improved by adding more insulation or upgrading to a more efficient type of insulation. Proper sealing and maintenance of the wall can also help improve its R value. Consulting with a professional and regularly evaluating and updating the insulation can help maintain or improve the R value over time.

Similar threads

  • Aerospace Engineering
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
4
Views
961
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • Special and General Relativity
6
Replies
202
Views
26K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • General Discussion
Replies
4
Views
605
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top