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

Hevar Palani (), Hamed Khaleghi, Parisa Salehi and Aslihan Karatas
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Hevar Palani: Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Hamed Khaleghi: Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Parisa Salehi: Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Aslihan Karatas: Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Buildings located in extreme cold climates encounter challenges (e.g., heat loss, condensation, and frozen utilities), especially within their wall envelopes. These challenges also play a pivotal role in occupant health, comfort, and the structural integrity of the building. While the existing literature has primarily focused on thermal performance, this study underscores the importance of evaluating hygrothermal performance within wall envelopes, given the existence of mold growth even in cases of high thermal resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hygrothermal performance of an adaptable house wall (AHW) panel that incorporates composite infill panels paired with vacuum-insulated panels to endure harsh cold conditions in Alaska. Therefore, three steps were proposed to: (1) collect the material and thermal properties of the AHW; (2) model the hygrothermal performance of the AHW in WUFI ® PRO v6.7 software; and (3) analyze the results. The results revealed a moderate risk of mold growth in the inner plywood layer of the AHW, whereas the outer plywood layer showed zero risk, indicating an acceptable condition. The findings aid decisionmakers in recognizing potential mold-related issues in building walls before advancing to the construction phase.

Keywords: building envelope; mold growth index; hygrothermal performance; vacuum-insulated panels; WUFI ® (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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