Increasing the Building Envelope Resilience to Moisture and Mould Growth
摘要
One in three Australian buildings suffer from mould growth, leading to a 30–50% increase in chronic respiratory illnesses and an estimated AUD 200 million in economic damage due to early deterioration of materials and remedial works. The Australian National Construction Code (NCC) does not provide a comprehensive condensation risk assessment or practical design guidelines for architects, building designers and consultants to prevent condensation-related mould growth. This study presents a hygrothermal performance assessment of typical and regulatory-compliant residential build-ups comprising five external walls and four roof types. The quantitative evidence generated in this research will present a detailed view of the current design and construction trends of single residential dwellings located in populated urban areas. It will identify the gap in current knowledge, existing practices, and regulatory provisions that will lead to condensation and mould management strategies for mould-free homes.