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Report A3132.1 <br /> Page 16 <br /> Discussion <br /> The following general observations are made as a result of these experiments. <br /> 1. The in-situ tracking of thermal performance of the specimens indicated stable <br /> thermal performance over the two years of monitoring. In most cases there was an <br /> improvement in specimen thermal performance in the second heating season. <br /> correlates with dryer prevailing soil conditions in the second year. This <br /> 2. Based on the temperature profiles at the specimen/soil interface, and corres ondin <br /> observations of heavy rainfall or thaw periods, the specimens are apparently g <br /> 'handling' moving water at the specimen surface. This appears to have negligible <br /> effect on thermal performance of the specimen. There is also independent evidence <br /> that the EPS insulation protected the concrete structure during these events (no <br /> temperature deflegtions on the inside face, and clean interior surfaces observed on <br /> removal of the insulation). <br /> 3. The samples wrapped with a polyethylene cover appeared to have similar water <br /> handling and thermal characteristics as the samples without thisrotectio <br /> data suggests that, by whatever mechanism, there may be even more water. <br /> The <br /> movement at the soiVpolyethylene interface than at the interfaces of the other <br /> specimens. <br /> 4. Type B and Type C EPS specimens equally maintained stable thermal performance <br /> through the monitoring period. <br /> 5. The Type °A" EPS specimen was wrapped in polyethylene. It maintained thermal <br /> Performance throughout the monitoring period as well. <br /> 6. The effect of grooves in the insulating board was also indistinguishable within <br /> margin of error of the method. No evidence of water movement down the back of <br /> the board was recorded. <br /> 7. The effect of shiplap joints was indistinguishable from butt-joints - none of the EPS <br /> specimens showed evidence of moisture movement behind the specimens. <br /> 8. The following parameters of EPS products used on the exterior of basement walls <br /> appeared to have little or no effect on the observed thermal performance of <br /> specimens within the scope of this experiment: <br /> • duration of exposure <br /> • mean temperature of the specimen <br /> • water movement at the outer surface <br /> • density of product <br /> • freezing cycles <br /> i <br />