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Indoor air quality, healthy buildings, and breathing walls

Straube, J.F. and V. Acahrya

http://oikos.com/library/breathingwalls/index.html

Straube, J.F. and V. Acahrya"Indoor air quality, healthy buildings, and breathing walls", http://oikos.com/library/breathingwalls/index.html.
Abstract:
Indoor air quality is an important issue from both a social and economic point of view. There are several design strategies that can be used to deliver good IAQ. Controlled ventilation, proper design, and the use of appropriate healthy building materials can provide good indoor air quality if used in as part of a holistic design approach. As part of a complete IAQ design strategy, so-called breathing walls can moderate indoor humidity and practically eliminate the potential for fungal growth on building surfaces.

This paper reviews the three basic design strategies for IAQ, and the role of breathing walls. The physics of breathing walls are discussed, and the ways in which such walls can improve IAQ are outlined. A research program directed at exploring the properties of low-density cement-bonded wood fibre (Durisol) is described. The research included material tests, field monitoring of full-scale walls, and computer modelling. Some results of this research are presented and discussed.

Supported by calculations and field data, it is concluded that IAQ can be greatly improved by using a holistic approach to building design. Breathing walls made of vapour permeable and highly hygroscopic materials, such as Durisol and strawbales, can enhance IAQ when used in conjunction with other strategies.

References:

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Straube, J.F. Burnett, E.F.P.. In-Service Performance of Enclosure Walls. Volume 1: Summary Final Report. Building Engineering Research Report: University of Waterloo, 1997.

Straube, J.F., and Burnett, E.F.P., "Moisture Movement in Building Enclosure Wall Systems", Proceedings of the Thermal Performance of Building Envelopes VI, Clearwater Beach Florida, December 4-7, 1995, pp. 177 - 188.

Taylor, B J, Webster, R., Imbabi, M.S., "The use of dynamic and diffusive insulation for combined heat recovery and ventilation in buildings", Building Environmental Performance Analysis Club, Proceedings of Sustainable Building Conference, Feb 5-6, 1997, Abingdon, UK, pp. 168-174.

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Lacinski, P., "Breathing Wall", The Last Straw - the journal of strawbale construction, Spring 1996.
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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Straube, J. F.
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3T2 Canada
  1. A review of rain control and design strategies
  2. Drainage, ventilation drying and enclosure performance
  3. Driving rain and building facades
  4. Field testing of filled-cavity wall systems
  5. Methodology and design of field experiments for monitoring the hygrothermal performance of wood frame enclosures
  6. Moisture control in enclosure wall systems
  7. Moisture fundamentals and mould
  8. Moisture in buildings
  9. Moisture movement in building enclosure wall systems
  10. Overview of hygrothermal (HAM) analysis methods
  11. Pressure moderation and rain penetration control
  12. Rain control and screened wall systems
  13. Simplified prediction of driving rain deposition
  14. The influence of low-permeance vapor barriers on roof and wall performance
  15. The role of hygrothermal modeling in practical building design: case studies
  16. Vents, ventilation drying, and pressure moderation  
Acahrya, V.
     


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