Internal thermal insulation and surface temperatures on intersecting internal walls

Internal thermal insulations are associated with the condensation risk between the masonry and the insulation material as well as with complicate thermal bridges caused by the fact that the insulation layer will be disturbed in a regularly way. Especially the de-creasing surface temperature may cause mold growing in the near of the thermal bridges. To solve this problem, it is strongly recommended in Germany to add additional insulation materials on the intersecting walls to shift the surface temperature in an uncritical range. The surface temperature on the side facing away from the internal thermal insulation is lowered additionally caused by the additional thermal insulation of the intersecting wall. This is the point that repeatedly causes great uncertainties in building practice and thus leads to a general avoidance of internal thermal insulation systems As a main part of an extensive parameter study, the minimum thermal resistance of the external wall should be determined from which no additional measures are necessary. A thermal resistance of the external wall greater than 0.8 (m(2)K)/W can be calculated as the decisive border line. No additional insulation measures should be necessary above this limit Further important relationships between the relevant influencing parameters are discussed and presented.