Experimental investigation of hygrothermal behavior of wooden-frame house under real climate conditions

Abstract

This paper deals with the experimental investigation of hygrothermal behavior of wooden-frame building envelope. The experiment was based on in-situ monitoring of a full size experimental monozone house built at the University of Lorraine. Variations in temperature and relative humidity inside and outside the envelope were logged simultaneously with local meteorological data. Results showed the high coupling between temperature and relative humidity variations within the envelope materials. An overall hygrothermal response of the wall highlighted an interesting hygrothermal dynamic behavior of the envelope which may contribute to mitigate variations of relative humidity inside the building. Nevertheless, relative humidity evolves within a range of values ​​that can lead to mold growth at a certain position which may alter wooden envelope life.