Abstract
Moisture-safe retrofitting and energy optimization of facades in existing buildings may be challenging, especially for buildings with preservation-worthy or histori-cal facades. Internal insulation changes the hygrothermal conditions of the origi-nal wall and may cause several problems, like biological growth and masonry de-terioration.
This paper explores the use of moisture-adaptive membranes as an additional moisture control measure for safe retrofitting with internal insulation. The results are based on WUFI® Pro simulations. Parameters like minimal and maximal vapour diffusion resistance, relative humidity (RH) range at which the membrane is most diffusion-open and -tight, indoor humidity class, orientation, and insulation type are varied and evaluated with a theoretical mould growth model.
Results indicate that the adaptive membrane should already be highly dif-fusion-open at around 75% RH and highly diffusion-tight in periods with low RH (up to around 40%). Results indicate that this would ensure a moisture-safe construction in humidity classes 2-4 using mineral wool. When using organic in-sulation materials, there might be a risk in humidity class 4.
This paper explores the use of moisture-adaptive membranes as an additional moisture control measure for safe retrofitting with internal insulation. The results are based on WUFI® Pro simulations. Parameters like minimal and maximal vapour diffusion resistance, relative humidity (RH) range at which the membrane is most diffusion-open and -tight, indoor humidity class, orientation, and insulation type are varied and evaluated with a theoretical mould growth model.
Results indicate that the adaptive membrane should already be highly dif-fusion-open at around 75% RH and highly diffusion-tight in periods with low RH (up to around 40%). Results indicate that this would ensure a moisture-safe construction in humidity classes 2-4 using mineral wool. When using organic in-sulation materials, there might be a risk in humidity class 4.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Multiphysics and Multiscale Building Physics : Proceedings of the 9th International Building Physics Conference (IBPC 2024) |
Editors | U. Berardi |
Publisher | Springer |
Pages | 488–494 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-981-97-8312-0 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-981-97-8313-7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2025 |
Event | 9th International Buildings Physics Conference - Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada Duration: 25 Jul 2024 → 27 Jul 2024 |
Conference
Conference | 9th International Buildings Physics Conference |
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Location | Toronto Metropolitan University |
Country/Territory | Canada |
City | Toronto |
Period | 25/07/2024 → 27/07/2024 |
Series | Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering |
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Volume | 552 |
ISSN | 2366-2557 |