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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
CLT Walls: Role of Vapour Barriers and Smart Vapour Retarders for Enhanced Durability
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1013-3136
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0149-8296
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1970-138X
The interest for wooden constructions is on the rise, and there is a political drive to encourage the use of wood in building projects to mitigate carbon emissions. This paper investigates whether exterior wall constructions made of Cross-laminated timber (CLT) in Nordic climates can be constructed moisture safe, without a vapor barrier made of PE foil. The study is carried out using hygrothermal simulations in WUFI® Pro and the theoretical risk of mould growth and wood decay are investigated. Several variations of CLT walls with and without PE foil, a smart vapour retarder, a traditional wind barrier board, and combinations of membranes and boards are examined. The results indicate that non-critical relative humidity levels are achieved in the CLT element if no vapour barrier is used. In case of built-in moisture in the exterior CLT, results indicate to leave out PE-foils, as they limit the drying process and increases the risk of mould growth and wood decay.
CLT Walls: Role of Vapour Barriers and Smart Vapour Retarders for Enhanced Durability
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1013-3136
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0149-8296
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1970-138X
The interest for wooden constructions is on the rise, and there is a political drive to encourage the use of wood in building projects to mitigate carbon emissions. This paper investigates whether exterior wall constructions made of Cross-laminated timber (CLT) in Nordic climates can be constructed moisture safe, without a vapor barrier made of PE foil. The study is carried out using hygrothermal simulations in WUFI® Pro and the theoretical risk of mould growth and wood decay are investigated. Several variations of CLT walls with and without PE foil, a smart vapour retarder, a traditional wind barrier board, and combinations of membranes and boards are examined. The results indicate that non-critical relative humidity levels are achieved in the CLT element if no vapour barrier is used. In case of built-in moisture in the exterior CLT, results indicate to leave out PE-foils, as they limit the drying process and increases the risk of mould growth and wood decay.
CLT Walls: Role of Vapour Barriers and Smart Vapour Retarders for Enhanced Durability
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1013-3136
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0149-8296
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1970-138X
The interest for wooden constructions is on the rise, and there is a political drive to encourage the use of wood in building projects to mitigate carbon emissions. This paper investigates whether exterior wall constructions made of Cross-laminated timber (CLT) in Nordic climates can be constructed moisture safe, without a vapor barrier made of PE foil. The study is carried out using hygrothermal simulations in WUFI® Pro and the theoretical risk of mould growth and wood decay are investigated. Several variations of CLT walls with and without PE foil, a smart vapour retarder, a traditional wind barrier board, and combinations of membranes and boards are examined. The results indicate that non-critical relative humidity levels are achieved in the CLT element if no vapour barrier is used. In case of built-in moisture in the exterior CLT, results indicate to leave out PE-foils, as they limit the drying process and increases the risk of mould growth and wood decay.
CLT Walls: Role of Vapour Barriers and Smart Vapour Retarders for Enhanced Durability
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Berardi, Umberto (editor) / Morelli, Martin (author) / Jensen, Nickolaj Feldt (author) / Hansen, Tessa Kvist (author)
International Association of Building Physics ; 2024 ; Toronto, ON, Canada
2024-12-14
7 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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