This study presents a method for estimating the thermal effusivity of
wood cement-based composites used in the dry state. Two models, based
on an Ohm's law approach, will be displayed herein: the unit cell of t
he parallel model and the model of Jackson and Black have both been us
ed to predict the effective thermal effusivity of wood composites. Var
ious topological parameters, such as the tortuosity factor and the ste
reological concept of contiguity, have been introduced in order to tak
e into account the effect of the pore structure on the thermal effusiv
ity. Furthermore, the porosity correction term and the correction term
which accounts both for the effect of the randomization of particle d
istribution and for the effect of the ratio of thermal effusivities (b
eta(s)/beta(f)) have been determined empirically. Measurements of the
thermal effusivity have been performed inside a closely controlled cli
matic cell at ambient temperature (20 +/- 0.5 degrees C) using a heat
plane source technique. Calculated values of the thermal effusivity of
these materials have been compared with experimental results. The val
ues predicted by the two models are all in very close agreement with e
xperimental values.