The Conundrum and Reality – Aging of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) in Buildings

P. Mukhopadhyaya
University of Victoria,
Canada

Keywords: building materials, vacuum insulation panels

Summary:

Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) is widely acknowledged as the most promising thermal insulation for next generation building envelope constructions. However, long-term performance or uncertainty regarding the service life of VIP in exterior building envelope applications is the most critical design issue, yet to be addressed conclusively by the researchers and engineers. However, in recent years, researchers and scientists across the world have worked to address this issue and number of case studies (field applications), and laboratory investigations have been documented. This presentation will include laboratory-based accelerated aging tests results and critical analysis of the field study observations conducted by the researchers at the University of Victoria (UVic). Attempt will be made to establish a relationship between accelerated aging test results and field performance expectations.