Thermal conductivity

Insulation · The Basics · printed page 232 (PDF page 233)

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Conductivity – Thermal Thermal Conductivity Insulation – the Basics

Text in the illustration

the thermal conductivity (k) of a homogeneous material is equal to the number of BTUs that will pass through one square foot of the material (that is 1" thick) over the course of 1 hour (with a 1 °F temperature difference across the material)
in this case, the thermal conductivity (k) of the concrete slab is 12
concrete slab
T °F
T+1 °F
1" thick
1 square foot
12 BTUs

Generated explanation

The illustration explains thermal conductivity using a concrete slab shown in perspective. The slab is labeled as 1 inch thick, with a marked area of 1 square foot and temperatures on opposite faces differing by 1 °F. A large arrow labeled "12 BTUs" represents heat passing through the marked area. The accompanying text defines thermal conductivity in terms of heat transfer over one hour and gives the concrete slab a conductivity (k) of 12.

Components

concrete slab

Materials

concrete