I searched Google for information on insulated concrete
panels, and came across Ian Doebber's thesis for an MS-ME out of Virginia Tech:
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-10262004-214448/unrestricted/FinalThesis.pdf
It's a simulation comparing conventional 2x4 construction
to 2x6 construction, flat ICF, waffle ICF, and insulated pre-cast-concrete panels in six
different US
cities. His conclusions seem reasonable,
but counter much of what I understood to be the "conventional wisdom" on concrete walls. His study included the effects of air
infiltration, thermal bridging, thermal mass, R value, and "equivalent R
value." He concluded that the most
important feature was reducing air infiltration, then adding insulation, and (3rd)
was thermal mass. But where(geographically) and why the thermal mass mattered was
interesting. And he concluded that --
given a competent wall -- the joints between the walls and the windows, the floors, and
the ceilings made a surprising difference. And
that part of his study would seem to directly apply to SIP construction.
If any of you read it, I'd like to know your responses. Do you know of any actual data that would counter his conclusions?
Very respectfully,
Larry