Influence of the heat insulation layer on the thermally stressed condition of the facade wall

Abstract The temperature-stress state of the concrete facade wall with a window opening, which is the external enclosing structure of the room with a steel heating device, was investigated by the method of numerical modeling. Estimated studies were performed for winter period when the heating system of the building is functioning. According to the results of solving the system of equations of thermal stress and equation of thermal conductivity, the temperature distribution over the wall volume and distribution of normal and tangential stresses were determined. Areas of the wall where these stresses are maximum were identified. The research was performed for cases of both, absence and presence of a heat-insulating layer on the outer surface of the facade wall. From comparison of the results obtained for these two options, it follows that the external thermal insulation coating not only helps to reduce dissipative heat loss through the facade wall, but also reduces the absolute values of stresses in the concrete wall arising resulting from temperature deformations. In some cases, the sign of stresses changes from stretching (wall without external insulation) to compressive (wall with insulation).