Studies on hygrothermal performance of wood elements in building constructions–remarks on methodology
In general, building constructions containing wood elements are moisture sensitive. To increase the knowledge about their hygrothermal performance accompanied with assessments of risk of mold growth and other degradation mechanisms a set of analytical methods is typically used: standard calculation or more advanced mathematical models, laboratory measurements and field observations. Nevertheless, in some cases such approach seems not to be sufficient. Full size testing under controlled and long-time stable boundary conditions is needed in order to get more complex picture about the real performance and risks. In the first part, the paper informs about hygrothermal problems and mold growth modelling. The key part of the paper deals with methodology and technique available at University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings: Full size façade openings for placing different assemblies of building envelopes with wood elements and facility with crawl-space type foundations. Furthermore, laboratory experiments and measurements together with in-situ monitoring as example are presented. The paper discusses combinations of advanced modelling used for design of experiments on one hand with expected results from full size controlled testing on the other hand. Classification of mold growth risk can represent an efficient way of expression of overall quality in this respect. First results are presented here for illustration. Paper concludes that coordinated combination of different research techniques can bring new knowledge in understanding the processes leading to deterioration of wood elements in building construction.