Preventing Dampness Related Health Risks at the Design Stage of Buildings in Mediterranean Climates: A Cyprus Case Study

Dampness is a major building challenge that poses a health risk by aiding the growth of mold and other related microorganisms in very humid areas. Thus, the correction of these post-effects results in high maintenance costs via energy consumption, due to the prolonged heating of damp rooms and post-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Buildings (Basel) 2018-05, Vol.8 (5), p.66
Main Authors: Elinwa, Ugochukwu Kenechi, Atakara, Cemil, Ojelabi, Ifeoluwa Oyeleke, Abiodun, Abiola Ayopo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerodynamics
Air flow
Building design
Building materials
Buildings
CAD
Clay
Computational fluid dynamics
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Computer aided design
Computer applications
Computer programs
Computer simulation
Construction materials
dampness
design stage
Energy consumption
Energy costs
Failure analysis
Failure modes
Fluid dynamics
Health risks
Humid areas
Humidity
Hydrodynamics
Indoor environments
Maintenance costs
Material properties
materials
Microorganisms
Moisture content
mold
Relative humidity
Software
Ventilation
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Summary:Dampness is a major building challenge that poses a health risk by aiding the growth of mold and other related microorganisms in very humid areas. Thus, the correction of these post-effects results in high maintenance costs via energy consumption, due to the prolonged heating of damp rooms and post-treatment, especially during the winter. A survey of 2000 valid respondents living in apartment-style buildings was conducted and analyzed using SPSS software. In this study, the AutoDesk Computational Fluid Dynamics (ACFD) software was used to perform a simulation for building materials analysis, to evaluate them for suitability in high humidity areas and to select the best building orientation for adequate and natural ventilation. The analysis aimed to observe the indoor air conditions due to environmental air flow conditions. The relationships of the airflow conditions to the material properties were measured. The methodology involves a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis to determine the level and nature of the dampness sources. The Design-Expert Statistical-Software 10 confirmed the simulation results. The simulation revealed a lower percentage of relative humidity and temperature in Adobe walls than in brick walls.
ISSN:2075-5309
2075-5309
DOI:10.3390/buildings8050066