Hygrothermal conditions in the facades of residential buildings in Nuuk and Sisimiut

Abstract

The limited documentation of the performance of previous and present building techniques in Greenland confines the basis for optimal design decisions. This study presents hygrothermal data from nine houses in Nuuk and Sisimiut, representing constructions of half-timber, concrete, and cross-laminated timber, all designed with a ventilated air cavity. The temperatures and relative humidity are monitored on the wall's inner side, in the air cavities and on each side of possible implemented wind and vapour membranes. The data are subjected to intercomparisons and compared to simulations from the hygrothermal simulation tool, Delphin. Finally, the measured and simulated data are analysed for the risk of mould growth with the Viitanen model in the free software WUFI Mould Index VTT. It is found that all construction types can function adequately under Greenlandic conditions. It is, however, recommended to be critical when excluding building elements, such as wind barriers, due to the risk of reduced performance of the façade structure. Furthermore, it is found that the mould risk is minimal inside the constructions but to some extent critical in the air cavities; however, the consequences of mould there are limited. Finally, the results are compared to other similar studies.