Skip to main content

Estimation of the Probability of Biological Colonization on Etics

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Construction and Building Research

Abstract

Due to the raising of building thermal performance requirements by energy regulations, there has been an increase of thermal insulation thickness in ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems). The configuration of these multilayered walls has unfortunately promoted the risk of growth of biological organisms on the outer side of the façade.

There are many tools to be used for predicting biological growth risk but they are either too complex to be used or unreliable. The aim of the research work is to provide building designer an easy, but reliable, tool (a probabilistic neural network) to compute the probability of biological colonization on the external surface of ETICS.

The primary step consists in the formulation of a risk index, based on both technological and climatic parameters, which provides the growth probability of biological agents in different climate conditions when using different materials for ETICS.

The next step is to create, and to verify, a neural network to compute the risk index. To optimize neural net predictions a large dataset has to be created with parameters as inputs and the risk index quantified through numerical simulations as outputs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Künzel, H, Künzel, H. M., & Sedlbauer, K. (2006). Long-term performance of external thermal insulation systems (ETICS). Holzkirchen: Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Nielsen, K. F., Holm, G., Uttrup, L. P., & Nielsen, P. A. (2004). Mold growth on building materials under low water activities. Influence of humidity and temperature on fungal growth and secondary metabolism. Horsholm: Danish Building and Urban Research.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Johansson, S., Wadsö, L., & Sandin, K. (2009). Estimation of mould growth levels on rendered façades based on surface relative humidity and surface temperature. Sweden: Division of Building Materials, Lund University.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Newport Partners, LLC. (2004). Building moisture and durability: Past, present and future. Washington DC: US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Baugham, A., & Arens, E. (1996). Indoor humidity and human health—part 1: Literature review of health effects of humidity-influenced indoor pollutants. ASHRAE Transactions, 102.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hens, H. (1999). Fungal defacement in buildings: A performance related approach. HVAC & R Research, 5.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Sedlbauer, K. (2001). Prediction of mould fungus formation on the surface of and inside building components. Holzkirchen: Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Vereecken, E., & Roels, S. (2011). Review of mould prediction models and their influence on mould risk evaluation. Leuven: Building Physics Section, K. U. Leuven.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Re-Cecconi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Re-Cecconi, F., Pergola, G., Redaelli, A. (2014). Estimation of the Probability of Biological Colonization on Etics. In: Llinares-Millán, C., et al. Construction and Building Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7790-3_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7790-3_21

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-7789-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-7790-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics