Transient U-value and moisture buffering effect of solid timber elements and interaction with various HVAC strategies

Abstract

A hygroscopic material has the capability to absorb and release moisture from the surrounding environment, so-called moisture buffering. Wood holds excellent hygroscopic characteristics. A combination of hygrothermal properties allows the wood to potentially save energy, thus lower the ventilation rates. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the hygroscopic characteristics of wood and its effect when exposed to an indoor environment. Through laboratory experiments of solid timber elements and numerical simulations of a school building built in solid timber, the interaction between solid timber and the indoor environment will be investigated. The research attempt to bring answers to the following research questions: •How does thermal transmittance of solid timber vary under different indoor environments? •How does hygroscopic properties of solid timber affect the HVAC system and how the latter might be optimized?