Laboratory testing of developed thermal insulation plasters on pillars built from masonry bricks

Abstract

Based on the development of silicate-based thermal insulation materials performed thus far, the next stage of research involved observing the behaviour of these materials; mainly heat and moisture transport. This paper describes the initial part of research involving the construction of masonry pillars suitable for being plastered with the newly developed materials with the purpose to examine moisture transport in the thermal insulation plasters. Two methods were designed for the examination of hygrothermal behaviour; method of electrical impedance spectrometry (EIS) and determining water content using a capacitive hygrometer. The initial results have confirmed the expectation that moisture transport is a complicated process and it will be necessary to observe the characteristics over a long period of time. However, the final evaluation will contribute greatly to the development of energyefficient materials using alternative raw material resources and chemical additives.