Hygrothermal behavior of wood fiber insulation, numerical and experimental approach

Many new insulation materials are being developed and thermally tested aiming at understanding improving their characteristics in order to improve the energy performance of existing buildings. Bio-sourced appear among solutions presenting advantage able save on one hand having a low environmental impact other. The wood fiber material is most successful natural recently used building constructions. It presents many advantages besides its performance; due density, it stores moisture thereby indoor air quality; also an excellent acoustic insulator because has tendency absorb reduce sounds. In evaluate effectiveness applications, this study analyzes hygrothermal modelling applications by adopting two approaches: A numerical approach using mathematical model that describes heat mass transfer within considered as porous media. first determined experimentally for purpose, namely thermal conductivity, capacity, isotherms sorption desorption. An experimental carried out controlled uncontrolled ambiance conditions validate model. 50 cm × sample 8 thickness purpose. very high accordance observed between measured modelled results both temperature relative humidity evolutions x = 2 4 with mean difference $$ \overline{\Delta \mathrm{T}} 0,21 °C 1 cm. maximum recorded differences are: 5,5% 4,5% respectively. ability predict hygric behavior will thus allow better efficiency materials.