Modelling Settling of Loose-Fill Insulation in Walls. Part I

Abstract

A method is presented for estimating theoretically the necessary density of loose-fill insulation in walls in order to ensure volume stability. Stress analysis for the mass to remain in a stress-stable state and creep of the material have been considered. From stress analysis it is shown to be possible to set up equations to estimate stresses in a granulated insulation material as a function of the height of the wall. These considerations are combined with theories describing creep of a material, thus providing a better understanding of the material behaviour of loose-fill insulation materials in walls. The use of the creep theory is limited to the case for which parameters describing the material are independent of time. For most materials this requires a stable environment and preconditioning. Furthermore, a homogeneous distribution of the loose-fill insulation material is required. The model is experimentally verified in ‘‘Modelling Settling of Loose-fill Insulation in Walls, Part II’’.