Abstract
Façades of buildings with stone cladding are widely used in contemporary architecture. This research work analyses the aerodynamic, thermal and relative humidity behaviour of this type of façade. One of the main novelties of the article is the analysis of air flow and temperature of the air chamber through finite elements with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Ten three-dimensional models were designed to study the various parameters that influence the behaviour of the façade, including the thickness of the air chamber and the velocity of the outside air. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of temperature and humidity makes it possible to determine the areas susceptible to generating condensation. Infrared thermography (IRT) is used to obtain the actual outside temperature, which is used in the validation of finite element models. The temperature is reduced by 47% with air chambers of 3 cm instead of 1 cm with soft outside air velocity, and by up to 60% with moderate air velocity. In these cases, relative humidity increases by 96% and 74%, respectively. When the results obtained in CFD vary considerably in a particular area with respect to IRT, a possible pathology is identified. This work provides better knowledge on the durability of material and façades.
Highlights
In Europe, a large number of buildings are constructed with stone coverings
Enclosures of buildings with stone cladding are constructed comprising an interior sheet that serves as a support for thermal insulation, and an open air chamber, ventilated through the joints of the outer sheet
Element models, as wellfocuses as the possibilities they offers for the exhaustive analysis of stone cladding
Summary
In Europe, a large number of buildings are constructed with stone coverings. Stone panels are supported only by certain anchorage points, leaving a joint on each of the four edges of the stone.When the wall is designed according to the ‘rainscreen principle’ [1], air pressure inside the cavity will be the same as that outside the cavity. In Europe, a large number of buildings are constructed with stone coverings. Stone panels are supported only by certain anchorage points, leaving a joint on each of the four edges of the stone. For all enclosures of buildings, thermal behaviour and possible condensation are studied in order to avoid problems related to humidity and deterioration of the materials. Any enclosure has important functions to perform, requiring stability, thermal insulation, and air- and watertightness, among other things. A good hygrothermal functioning of the enclosure depends on the construction materials, and above all on a good construction design. Enclosures of buildings with stone cladding are constructed comprising an interior sheet that serves as a support for thermal insulation, and an open air chamber, ventilated through the joints of the outer sheet
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