Year
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
Managing moisture in buildings has become increasingly important, as the recent drive for building energy performance has resulted in increasingly complex building envelopes. Cavity ventilation is a potential solution to both manage moisture and improve building thermal efficiency. This thesis investigates the impacts of ventilated cavities on the hygrothermal performance of lightweight wall constructions in residential buildings in Australian climates.
A semi-analytical cavity ventilation model was developed and used in combination with one-dimensional hygrothermal simulation tool WUFI Pro to calculate transient cavity ventilation rates and simulate the hygrothermal performance of walls in four case studies that investigated: 1) a comparison of constant and transient cavity ventilation rates, 2) the impact of cavity entrance and exit opening widths, 3) the impact of cladding colour, and 4) the impact of additional insulation materials. Four cardinal wall orientations were investigated across five locations in Australia representing different climates: Melbourne, Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, and Alice Springs. Simulation results were assessed by comparing: 1) cavity ventilation rates, 2) heat gains and losses to the indoor space contributing to heating and cooling loads, and 3) mould risk over 10 years.
Recommended Citation
Thim, Jacqueline, Investigation of the heat and moisture performance of naturally ventilated wall systems in residential buildings in Australian climates, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, 2023. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses1/1762
FoR codes (2008)
120104 Architectural Science and Technology (incl. Acoustics, Lighting, Structure and Ecologically Sustainable Design), 099901 Agricultural Engineering, 120202 Building Science and Techniques
Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.