Review of Methods to Create Meteorological Data Suitable for Moisture Control Design by Hygrothermal Building Envelope Simulation

Abstract

Hygrothermal simulations have become essential for sustainable and resilient building design because moisture is the major cause of problems in buildings. Appropriate meteorological input data are important to obtain meaningful simulation results. Therefore, this article reviews different methods to create Hygrothermal Reference Years (HRY) as severe or average climate inputs. The current standards define HRYs solely based on outdoor temperature, although moisture problems are caused by a combination of climate parameters, including driving rain and other loads. Therefore, there are also methods considering several impact parameters. The existing methods can be classified into two categories: construction-independent and construction-dependent methods. The former determines HRY based on a weather data analysis and is useful for large-scale parametric studies comprising many climatic parameters acting on buildings. The latter is based in addition to computer simulations to verify the HRY also in the context of specific construction types. It is a more comprehensive approach since the moisture responses of constructions are the decisive outcome for performance predictions. The advantages and disadvantages of the different methods are summarized and compared. Lastly, further research questions and simplifications aimed at practitioners are pointed out to arrive at reliable hygrothermal building performance predictions.

A Review of Smart Materials in 4D Printing for Hygrothermal Rehabilitation: Innovative Insights for Sustainable Building Stock Management

“…The impact of hygrothermal phenomena on the durability and performance of buildings is extensive, affecting both structural integrity and functionality. Moisture absorption and/or adsorption can lead to the decay of wood and deterioration of concrete, compromising overall durability, undermining thermal insulation effectiveness, increasing energy consumption, and reducing overall building performance [20][21][22].…”

Assessing Hygrothermal Performance in Building Walls Engineered for Extreme Cold Climate Environments

“…In the existing literature, the impact of the hygrothermal performance (i.e., thermal and moisture performance) of building envelopes has been investigated in various climatic conditions using different simulation software like EnergyPlus v8.8, COMSOL Multiphysics v6.1, and WUFI ® [15][16][17][28][29][30][31][32][33]. For instance, Fedorik et al [17] simulated the hygrothermal conditions in typical basement walls with various retrofitting methods and with different insulation materials, including expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) boards.…”

“…However, the building envelope may still be vulnerable to water condensation and mold growth, even with a high thermal resistance (R-value). Accordingly, it is essential to analyze the hygrothermal (i.e., movement of heat and moisture through building envelopes) performance of building walls, especially in extreme cold climates like Alaska due to the risk of mold growth [12][13][14][15][16]. Efficient hygrothermal performance can substantially extend the durability of the building while preventing biological growth within the structure and maintaining a favorable indoor environment [17].…”

Application of Environmental and Biological Frequency Indicators to Assess the Serpula lacrymans Fungus in Wooden Dwellings

“…There were also some isolated cases in Concepción, in the Biobío Region. Between 2019 and 2020, the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism of Chile (MINVU) recorded 17 cases of dwellings affected to a lesser or greater extent by this fungus in the city of Valdivia: 1 in Paillaco, 1 in the Union, 12 in Temuco, and 3 in Padre Las Casas, thus affecting the populations of Teniente Merino in Valdivia and of both Millaray and Las Quilas in Temuco, as well as others in various areas of these and other regions [43]. The problems were mainly found in ventilated floors and in the joints between walls and floors, consistent with the advance of the mycelial growth from the natural ground [44].…”