Williams & Browne Environmental Architecture, Eco-Renovation & Green Building.

Research & Analysis with WUFI Hygrothermal Simulation Software

Society for the Protection for Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Research Report 3 - Advanced hygrothermal modelling of internal insulation to solid masonry

This report partly funded by English Heritage forms part of the SPAB's Building Performance Survey, a research project that looks at the performance of a number of traditional buildings both before and after refurbishments designed to improve their energy efficiency. This report concentrates on one of the case study houses from that survey, located in Shrewsbury.

The report reviews the British Standards relating to condensation risk analysis in walls and explains some of the concerns with the current widespread use of BS EN ISO 13788 based software. Findings are presented from a case study using BS EN 15026 advanced condensation risk analysis software.

The advanced hygrothermal simulation of the case study house, both pre-refurbishment and post-refurbishment raises various issues relating to the practical application of condensation risk analysis tools and has serious consequences, especially for the Green Deal. Recommendations are made on how to improve the accuracy of the results from advanced hygrothermal modelling software.

» Download the SPAB Hygrothermal Modelling Report03.pdf (5.31MB)

 

Frost Damage in Solid Masonry Walls Retrofitted with Internal Insulation

A Master's thesis investigating some of the less understood consequences of additional internal wall insulation to solid brick walled homes. Advanced hygrothermal simulation software is used to establish the risk of exposure of internally insulated walls to frost damage. Chapter 2 of the thesis focuses on the phenomenon of 'breathability' and explains the processes of heat and moisture movement in solid walls. These processes are particularly important to understand in the context of thermal renovations to traditional breathable walls. The breathability of a material is understood to apply to three separate properties:

  1. Hygroscopic - ability to adsorb and desorb water vapour as the surrounding relativity humidity changes
  2. Capillary active - ability to move water around through its pore structure
  3. Low resistance to water vapour diffusion

» Download Dan Browne's - Frost damage and Internal Wall Insulation.pdf (11.1MB)

 

For more information or to view a copy of our portfolio please contact Dan Browne on 07989 171784, or email dan@williamsandbrowne.co.uk.