Using bark as a heat insulation material

Abstract

Spruce bark particles were used as an insulation fill material for the thermal insulation of a timber frame wall which was subjected to a simulated winter temperature difference between indoor and outdoor climate. The temperature profile development of the wall's cross section was modeled using Fourier's transient heat flow theory. It was shown that bark layers conducted heat more slowly than commonly known blow-in insulation materials because of their low thermal diffusivity. Moreover, material moisture development due to water vapor streams caused by vapor pressure differences between the inside and outside climate was studied, and it supported general timber construction rules.