Hygrothermal field testing of multi-functional wood fibre panels for residential buildings

近年来，能源效率和可持续性引起了当局和研究人员的极大兴趣。拟议的研究将使用分析和实验的方法来调查在不同的气候条件下的墙壁系统的湿热性能。在这项研究中要调查的墙壁系统是由FPInnovations开发的，FPInnovations是一家加拿大非营利组织，致力于建筑围护结构的节能和可持续战略。阿尔伯塔大学和FPInnovations建议调查和评估这些多功能面板在各种墙体组件配置中的含水量和湿热性能。实时测量的分析将有助于开发多功能面板组装从目前可用的组件提供结构和湿热绝缘性能。本研究的总体目标是通过在两个不同气候条件下（埃德蒙顿和温哥华）进行现场测试，以评估拟议面板系统的长期（约2年）热和湿度（与湿度相关）性能。这包括热阻、温度分布、热桥、热质量性能、水分含量、蒸汽控制能力和干燥能力等指标。研究亦会发展一个模拟模型，以分析太阳能板的湿热情况，并加以验证。研究亦会发展先进的模型，以模拟多功能太阳能板的热湿传递情况。模拟木材纤维和其他层的非线性材料性质的吸湿等温线的复杂的热湿传递过程将提供在不同气候条件下的性能的整体理解。拟议的研究还将为在住宅应用中使用环保且完全可回收的木纤维提供实用指南。预计木纤维的使用将有助于改善居住者的室内空气质量，该研究项目将通过向加拿大住宅建筑市场引入新技术，为加拿大经济做出贡献。

In recent years, energy efficiency and sustainability have drawn significant interest among authorities and researchers. The proposed study will use an analytical and experimental approach to investigate the hygrothermal performance of wall systems under different climate conditions. The wall systems to be investigated in this study are developed by FPInnovations, a Canadian non-profit organization working on energy-efficient and sustainable strategies for building envelopes. The University of Alberta and FPInnovations propose to investigate and evaluate the moisture content and hygrothermal performance of these multi-functional panels in a variety of wall assembly configurations. Analysis with real-time measurements will contribute to the development of multi-functional panels assembled from currently available components providing both structural and hygrothermal insulation properties. The general goal of this study is to evaluate the long term (~2 years) thermal and hygric (moisture-related) performance of proposed panel systems by conducting field tests in two different climates for the purpose of comparison, Edmonton and Vancouver. This encompasses such metrics as thermal resistance; temperature distribution; thermal bridging; thermal mass performance; moisture content; vapour control capacity; and drying capacity. A simulation model for hygrothermal analysis of the panels will also be developed and validated.The research will develop advanced modelling to simulate heat and moisture transfer in the multi-functional panels. The simulation of the complicated heat and moisture transfer process with the nonlinear material properties of wood fibre and other layers in moisture sorption isotherm will provide holistic understanding of performance under different climatic conditions. The proposed research will also result in practical guidelines for using wood fibre-which is environmentally-friendly and fully recyclable-in residential applications. The utilization of wood fibre is expected to help improve indoor air quality for occupants, and the research project will contribute to Canada's economy by introducing a new technology to the Canadian homebuilding market.