LOCIE focuses on wall characterization. This includes the thermal and hygric properties of materials, as well as air transfer through walls.
Visit RHBox is a double hygrothermal enclosure. It comprises 2 glove boxes linked by an airlock. Each chamber is independently regulated in temperature (between -5 and +40°C) and humidity (from 9% to 98% RH) by a heat exchanger and a cryothermostat, as well as saturated salt solutions. Changes in the moisture content of the material are monitored by weighing directly inside each of the chambers (continuous or discontinuous weighing, max: 600g). Thanks to this installation, the classic hygric characterizations of hygroscopic materials can be carried out (sorption isotherms, vapor permeability...) but dynamic experiments are also possible thanks to the rapid passage of samples through the airlock. This enables the moisture buffer value of materials to be measured, as well as sorption/desorption kinetics between 2 moisture levels. In addition to the actual characterization of materials, the data obtained can then be used in modeling to predict phenomena, or in inverse methods to determine the characteristics of a material from a much smaller number of experiments.
Concerning the study of air transfer through the wall. Experimental benches have been designed for this purpose. At material level, the SAPI box (Small Air Path Investigation box) is used for small-scale characterization of the air permeability of single materials or simple assemblies. The APIE box (Air Path In Envelopes box) has been designed for air-tightness studies on larger walls (0.7 m x 2 m).
LOCIE also has a C-THERM thermal conductivity meter for rapid measurement of the surface thermal conductivity of low-conductivity materials.