Composite Wall Experiment
Objective:
To determine the total thermal resistance and thermal conductivity of a composite wall using
experimental data and theoretical analysis.
Aim:
To study heat conduction through a composite wall and evaluate its effective thermal
conductivity and overall thermal resistance.
Introduction:
Heat conduction through solid walls is a fundamental aspect of thermal engineering. In real-
world applications, walls are made of multiple materials forming composite structures. The study
of heat transfer in composite walls is crucial for designing energy-efficient insulation systems
and thermal barriers (Incropera & DeWitt, 2011).
Theory:
Heat transfer through a composite wall occurs in series and parallel combinations. The total
thermal resistance (RtR_tRt) is given by:
Rt = Σ (L / kA)
where:
L = Thickness of each layer (m)
k = Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)
A = Cross-sectional area (m²)
The rate of heat transfer through the wall follows Fourier’s law:
Q = ΔT / Rt
where ΔT is the temperature difference across the wall (Çengel, 2019).
Description of the Setup:
The composite wall setup consisted of different material layers sandwiched between heater
plates. Thermocouples were placed at various positions to measure temperatures. A controlled
amount of heat was supplied through an electric heater, and the temperature readings were
recorded.
Fig: composite wall
Utilities Required:
Composite wall apparatus
Heater
Thermocouples
Voltmeter and Ammeter
Insulating material
Data acquisition system
Experimental Procedure:
1. Setup Preparation: The composite wall apparatus was assembled, and all components
were properly connected. The thermocouples were checked and positioned at different
layers of the wall.
2. Powering the Heater: A known voltage and current were supplied to the heater. The
system was allowed to reach steady-state conditions.
3. Temperature Measurement: Once steady-state was achieved, temperature readings at
various points across the wall were recorded using thermocouples.
4. Heat Input Calculation: The heat supplied to the system was calculated using the
formula Q = VI, where voltage and current values were taken from the respective meters.
5. Data Analysis: The thermal resistance and effective thermal conductivity were calculated
using the recorded temperature data and standard heat transfer equations.
Observations and Calculations:
Observation Table
S.No t V I T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
(min) (Volt) (Amp) (°C) (°C) (°C) (°C) (°C) (°C) (°C) (°C)
1 0 100 0.62 23.1 23.4 22.8 22.5 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.6
2 5min 100 0.62 27.1 27.0 25.4 25.2 21.2 20.7 20.7 20.7
3 10min 100 0.62 29.1 29.0 27.6 27.3 22.2 22.5 21.0 21.0
4 15min 100 0.62 31.8 31.5 29.6 29.5 23.8 23.3 21.5 21.3
5 20min 100 0.62 34.8 34.3 32.4 32.3 25.4 25.3 22.3 22.2
6 25min 100 0.62 36.9 36.9 33.6 33.7 27.4 27.3 23.9 23.9
7 30min 100 0.62 39.1 39.3 37.1 37.1 29.1 29.3 23.9 23.9
8 35min 100 0.62 41.8 41.6 40.1 39.8 30.6 30.8 27.4 27.4
9 40min 100 0.62 43.5 43.5 43.1 43.2 32.8 32.6 26.2 26.5
10 45min 100 0.62 45.8 45.5 45.2 45.2 38.9 37.4 26.5 26.1
11 50min 100 0.62 47.8 47.2 47.5 45.5 35.5 35.5 28.1 28.1
12 55min 100 0.62 49.8 49.2 49.8 47.5 37.6 38.1 28.1 28.1
13 60min 100 0.62 51.3 51.2 49.0 48.8 38.6 38.6 29.2 29.1
14 65min 100 0.62 53.1 53.1 51.5 50.5 39.7 39.7 29.7 29.8
15 70min 100 0.62 54.6 54.7 52.2 52.2 41.1 41.3 30.8 30.8
16 75min 100 0.62 56.6 56.5 54.1 54.0 42.5 42.6 31.5 31.6
Calculation Table:
S.No Q ΔT (°C) Rt Keff K3 TA1 TA2 TA3 TA4
(W/m²) (°C/W) (W/m·°C) (W/m·°C) (°C) (°C) (°C) (°C)
1 631.526 2.65 0.004 11.2 -1.738 23.25 22.4 20.45 20.6
2 631.526 6.35 0.01 4.634 -11.495 27.05 23.3 21.12 20.7
3 631.526 8.05 0.012 3.687 7.281 29.05 29.4 22.55 21.0
4 631.526 10.2 0.016 2.986 2.375 31.65 29.55 23.75 21.45
5 631.526 12.25 0.019 2.422 1.436 34.55 32.45 23.95 22.2
6 631.526 14.05 0.021 2.12 -1.084 36.95 33.9 23.95 23.9
7 631.526 15.15 0.023 1.959 0.93 39.15 37.1 23.95 23.9
8 631.526 17.15 0.027 1.458 0.447 41.8 40.8 27.4 27.4
9 631.526 17.9 0.028 1.658 0.695 43.5 41.25 32.6 25.6
10 631.526 19.35 0.03 1.533 0.614 45.65 43.2 38.8 26.9
11 631.526 20.0 0.031 1.484 0.588 47.05 45.2 35.85 27.8
12 631.526 21.45 0.033 1.389 0.524 49.55 47.25 36.95 28.8
13 631.526 22.1 0.034 1.343 0.502 51.25 48.9 38.6 29.15
14 631.526 23.35 0.036 1.271 0.463 53.1 51.0 40.65 29.75
15 631.526 23.85 0.037 1.244 0.449 54.65 52.2 41.2 30.8
Nomenclature:
Q = Heat flux (W/m²)
Rt = Total thermal resistance (°C/W)
keff = Effective thermal conductivity (W/m·K)
A = Cross-sectional area (m²)
L = Layer thickness (m)
Precautions and Maintenance:
Proper insulation was ensured to minimize heat losses.
Thermocouples were checked for proper functioning before taking readings.
The system was allowed to reach a steady state before recording temperature readings.
Electrical connections were secured to avoid fluctuations in power supply.
References:
1. Incropera, F.P., & DeWitt, D.P. (2011). Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer. John
Wiley & Sons.
2. Çengel, Y.A. (2019). Heat and Mass Transfer: Fundamentals and Applications.
McGraw-Hill.
Discussion:
This experiment helps in designing thermal insulation systems for buildings, industrial furnaces,
and electronic components by optimizing material selection and heat loss reduction
