Abstract The ubiquity of styrene and Styrofoam containers and cups cannot be understated; they will be archeological markers for the next many hundred years until a method of sequestration or recycling is discovered. Their chemical properties, however, are very similar to rigid foam insulation: a product equally ubiquitous in construction and very effective insulator. This investigation sought to identify the utility of this material in osb structurally insulated panels, and compare the insulative capacity to its rigid foam counterparts. Two chambers and a testing panel frame the testing system: One insulated chamber with a heat lamp imitating hotter exterior conditions is connected to the testing panel of osb/testing material sandwiched together, in turn sealed against the measuring chamber, housing the humidity and temperature sensor in an insulated enclosure. Testing materials include the rigid foam control sample, styrene clamshell in shredded, cut, and woven orientations and conditions. Results will compare temperature increase over time, and material samples that increase less over time/increase to a lower overall temperature than other materials will be considered “more effective” as insulation materials. The rigid foam insulation control group tested to be ______, while the styrene samples had the best overall insulation in the _____ orientation. [Data will populate the abstract as acquired; conclusions added after all data is collected]
Sage Duffey
Fourth Year Undergrad // May 2021 Interested in how global warming will affect the way we design and build.
Boone, NC
Aiden Williams
Year Four Undergraduate // May 2021 Interest in radical waste reduction and restructuring of product life cycle influencing lifestyle and design approach.