Impact of indoor air conditions and solar radiation on moisture accumulation within multi-layer non-cavity walls

I. Budaiwi*, A. Abdou

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of indoor temperature, humidity and solar radiation on moisture accumulation within multi-layer non-cavity walls. A transient model that simultaneously considers both thermal and moisture transient transfer and their interactions in multi-layer non-cavity wall constructions is utilized. Based on the mathematical formulations and the developments of the model, a computer simulation program has been developed in order to investigate the impact of the hygrothermal boundary conditions on wall moisture behavior. By employing the model, both the moisture transport process and the material moisture content within the different layers of a wall system can be evaluated at all possible material moisture conditions. Evaluation of moisture accumulation within a typical wall system showed that the impact of boundary conditions is highly dependent on the thermal and moisture characteristics of the wall components. Indoor temperature has been found to have a relatively considerable influence on moisture accumulation in the insulation layer. The presence of solar radiation can lead to considerable reduction in moisture accumulation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-144
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Thermal Envelope and Building Science
Volume23
Issue numberOCT.
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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