Moisture and Buildings: Durability Issues, Health Implications and Strategies to Mitigate the Risks

One in three homes suffers from excessive dampness and mold proliferation, with significant health and economic impacts. This has created unprecedented challenges for the built environment, as we are modifying indoor and outdoor environments and the building envelopes that serve as a filter between the two. Understanding and predicting the way in which buildings and moisture may interact is essential in the design process to minimize possible negative long-term consequences. Moisture-related issues involve multiple factors, including design, construction, maintenance, materials, climate, and occupation pattern, and the pace of change is still too slow. Moisture and Buildings provides a critical overview of current research, knowledge, and policy frameworks and presents a comprehensive analysis of the implications of moisture and the importance of accounting for it during the design process. The ultimate goal is to increase awareness of the multifaceted implications of hygrothermal phenomena and promote integrated design processes that lead to healthier and more durable constructions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2021
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

One in every three homes experiences excessive dampness and mold proliferation, resulting in significant health and economic impacts. The convergence of modern construction techniques, stricter airtightness standards, and the evolving social and cultural dynamics that shape our indoor living spaces have presented unprecedented challenges for the built environment. By altering indoor and outdoor environments and the building envelopes that act as a barrier between them, we are modifying the physical characteristics of how buildings respond to climatic stimuli. It is crucial to understand and predict the interactions between buildings and moisture to minimize potential negative long-term consequences. However, this task has become increasingly complex as the lessons learned from the past no longer apply in today's context. Moisture-related issues are intricate and multifaceted, involving a multitude of factors such as design, construction, maintenance, materials, climate, and occupancy patterns. As a result, while the topic is gaining increasing attention among researchers, designers, and practitioners, the pace of actual change remains frustratingly slow.

Moisture and Buildings serves as a critical review of current research, knowledge, and policy frameworks, offering a comprehensive analysis of the implications of moisture and the critical importance of accounting for it during the design process. It responds to the urgent need for a systematic organization of existing knowledge to identify research gaps and guide future developments. The ultimate objective is to raise awareness about the multifaceted implications of moisture and promote a more holistic approach to building design and construction.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128210970