Abstract
The moisture buffering potential is defined as the capacity of hygroscopic materials to absorb and release moisture under cyclic moisture loads. In a large-scale experimental investigation, the authors found a significant difference in the moisture buffering potential and the moisture residual between wood paneling and gypsum board when subjected to different moisture load profiles. This difference is attributed to the different moisture capacity and vapor permeability of these two finishing materials. A further study, motivated by these observations, was carried out by the authors to investigate the impact of different moisture load profiles and the effect of moisture history on the moisture buffering potential through hygrothermal simulations. Ten hygroscopic materials are categorized into three groups based on their moisture capacity and vapor permeability. The moisture buffering potential of these three material groups were investigated under different moisture load profiles. The moisture residual in the first daily moisture load cycle was studied as well. The simulation results verify that the different response of these materials to the moisture load was determined by the materials' moisture capacity and vapor permeability, i.e. moisture effusivity, and material thickness. In addition, the moisture residual phenomenon is related to the penetration depth of materials.
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