Analysis of the economic aspects of insulation in buildings with special reference to the stresses in framed structures, resulting from changes in temperature and humidity

Abstract

The consideration of the problems of economic insulation against temperature variation has only come to the fore in recent years* The outstanding developments in methods of central heating which have grown up with the XXth Century have brought with them a desire to investigate the manner in vAiich heat losses occur in different types of buildings. After the Great War, shortage of capital, lack of fuel, and the general want of suitable material for building oaused a demand for general construction on much cheaper lines and vith the use of much lighter material* One difficulty of this new method of building was, that very little data on the insulating properties of the materials chosen for use was available, and what little data there was, was largely incorrect. The consumption of fuel required to heat buildings during the winter months reached enormous proportions because of this, and it was quite impossible to lower the consumption without discomfort. In direct contrast, during the summer months, the rays of the sun penetrated to such on extent that adequate cooling became an even more urgent problem. In certain countries in which long bright cold nights are a feature of the winter climate, walls and especially flat roofs of buildings radiate heat rays continuously into the atmosphere for 24 hours every day. The atmosphere being of comparatively infinite proportions absorbs these heat rays, providing only short periods of sun radiation in exchange. In fact in mid winter in extra time latitudes the sun only shines for such a short period out of the £4 hours that the heat