Applied Research of the Hygrothermal Behaviour of an Internally Insulated Historic Wall without Vapour Barrier: In Situ Measurements and Dynamic Simulations

Mirco Andreotti, Dario Bottino-Leone, Marta Calzolari, Pietromaria Davoli, Luisa Dias Pereira, Elena Lucchi and Alexandra Troi
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Mirco Andreotti: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
Dario Bottino-Leone: Eurac Research, Institute for Renewable Energy, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Marta Calzolari: Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Pietromaria Davoli: Architettura Energia Research Centre, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Luisa Dias Pereira: Architettura Energia Research Centre, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Elena Lucchi: Eurac Research, Institute for Renewable Energy, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Alexandra Troi: Eurac Research, Institute for Renewable Energy, 39100 Bolzano, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: The hygrothermal behaviour of an internally insulated historic wall is still hard to predict, mainly because the physical characteristics of the materials composing the historic wall are unknown. In this study, the hygrothermal assessment of an internally thermal insulated masonry wall of an historic palace located in Ferrara, in Italy, is shown. In situ non-destructive monitoring method is combined with a hygrothermal simulation tool, aiming to better analyse and discuss future refurbishment scenarios. In this context, the original U-value of the wall (not refurbished) is decreased from 1.44 W/m 2 K to 0.26 W/m 2 K (10 cm stone wool). Under the site specific conditions of this wall, not reached by the sun or rain, it was verified that even in the absence of vapour barrier, no frost damage is likely to occur and the condensation risk is very limited. Authors proposed further discussion based on simulation. The results showed that the introduction of a second gypsum board to the studied technology compensated such absence, while the reduction of the insulation material thickness provides a reduction of RH peaks in the interstitial area by 1%; this second solution proved to be more efficient, providing a 3% RH reduction and the avoidance of further thermal losses.

Keywords: HeLLo; energy retrofit; non-destructive test; in situ; hygrothermal measurement; dynamic conditions; hygrothermal simulation; historic wall (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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