In response to recurring floods in recent years and the costs associated with disaster management, there is a pressing need to adapt construction methods. In Québec, Canada, improving the design and performance of envelope assemblies has become essential to mitigate the impact of flood events on buildings. This study is part of a broader effort to address how envelope assemblies respond to flood events and to propose assemblies that are more resilient to water damage. Specifically, we study two aspects of water uptake to ascertain the significance of adsorbed and residual water on the post-catastrophe drying measures.

First, we investigate the effects of hydrostatic pressure on water uptake in wood assemblies, varying water height and duration of wetting events. Higher hydrostatic pressures during flood events may result in higher water content in wood assemblies. Higher water content may yield longer drying times for the assembly and increased risk of mold growth damage. We aim to determine the role of hydrostatic pressure and appropriately apply this pressure as a boundary condition in hygrothermal simulations. Wetting tests are performed on materials for water levels, ranging from 50 mm to 2400 mm, for different duration. Gravimetric profiles are compared to hygrothermal simulation results incorporating hydrostatic pressure as a boundary condition. Preliminary results indicate that an entrance resistance coefficient or a similar approach might be necessary.

Second, we evaluate the amount of water that remains in the interstitial networks of building envelope assemblies after initial drainage of flooding water. We use neutron radiography to visualize and quantify water in assemblies. Neutron imaging is a radiographic technique that relies on the high neutron cross-section of protium (H-1 isotope of hydrogen), a major component of water. The experiments were performed with the Neutron Transmission Radiography (Neutra) beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Over 60 typical Canadian construction material combinations were submerged for 5 to 15 minutes, then drainage and residual water content were documented using 20-minute neutron imaging acquisition. Results show that significant amounts of water are retained within interstice networks, which act as preferential pathways for water uptake in assemblies.

Hydrostatic pressure and interstice networks contribute to additional moisture load in assemblies post-flooding, affecting the drying process and increasing the risk of long-term damage such as mold growth and wood degradation. By properly incorporating these factors as boundary conditions, simulations can more accurately evaluate the performance of various assemblies under different flood scenarios.

In this paper, we primarily focus on the issue of rising damp and the application of remedial measures on a specific building, along with an in situ investigation of its effects. The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficiency of the applied remediation technologies and their impact not only on improving the indoor environment of the building but also on extending the lifespan of the construction. The research findings clearly demonstrate the positive effects of remediation interventions. The applied technology contributed significantly to the drying and stabilization of the construction, enhancing its structural integrity and overall performance. Furthermore, the improvement in indoor climate conditions was evident, reducing moisture-related issues that can negatively affect both the building and its occupants. Such research provides valuable insights into the practical implementation of rehabilitation technologies and their potential integration with active thermal protection systems. By systematically evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions, the study offers a foundation for further development in the field of building protection and maintenance, particularly in relation to historical and aging constructions. Moreover, the acquired knowledge can be incorporated into Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems, which will allow for a more precise and data-driven approach to designing, monitoring, and optimizing the effectiveness of proposed interventions. The integration of these findings into digital modeling tools enhances decision-making processes, improves predictive maintenance strategies, and ultimately contributes to the long-term sustainability of existing buildings.

This paper presents a real-scale experimental test field (3.0 m x 3.2 m) which consists of red brick masonry (30 cm thick) and hydrophobic mineral wool (10 cm thick) on the interior side. Insulation boards were pressed into a wooden frame from KVH profiles. The interior air is conditioned, while the external side of the wall is exposed to real conditions representative to semi-continental climate. Measurement sensors have been installed to monitor hygro-thermal conditions at various positions. The experiment has been ongoing since September 2024.

Since the masonry is cold and less permeable for water vapor than mineral wool high relative humidity occurs at the interface of materials in colder part of the year. The relative humidity exceeds the level which is sufficient for mold growth on organic materials. To investigate mold development, small plates from pine and spruce sapwood (30 mm × 50 mm × 3 mm, tangential surface) were inserted into slots glued on the internal surface of masonry. Additional plates were embedded in masonry pockets where the thickness of masonry is halved. Half of wood specimens was inoculated in the laboratory. Mold consortium composed from Penicillium funiculosum, Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium amstelodami, Penicillium notatum. The other half of specimens was stored uncovered in the climatic room so that natural inoculation was possible. None of the wood specimens were sterilized before the experiment. Visual inspection of wood specimens by naked eyes, photographic documentation, Mycometer fungi tests, identification of molds, and microscopic observations of collected wood samples were conducted.

Preliminary results from cold season 2024/2025 are presented. Measured hygrothermal conditions at the location of wooden plates are confronted with the results of Mycometer fungi test and also with mould growth calculated by a mathematical model. The experiment shows significant differences between mould resistance of pine and spruce.

Airtightness represents a critical factor in ensuring energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and durability of buildings. In practical terms, airtightness is assessed through tests such as blower door tests, where a fan is used to pressurize or depressurize the building, and the rate of air leakage is measured. The results help identify areas where air may be leaking, allowing for targeted improvements to enhance the building's energy efficiency and comfort.

In the last years, a growing shift has been observed towards stricter airtightness requirements, largely driven by the transition to nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). However, airtightness verification through testing is currently mandated in only a few countries, where performance-based approaches are generally favored over prescriptive regulations.

Wooden constructions, recognized for their sustainability and low environmental impact, present unique challenges in achieving high levels of airtightness due to material-specific properties, joint configurations, and moisture-related deformations. Addressing these issues is essential for optimizing building performance, particularly in the context of nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) and stringent energy regulations.

This study investigates the airtightness performance of wooden building envelopes through a combination of experimental testing and numerical modeling. The research focuses on identifying key factors influencing air leakage, such as construction detailing, sealing techniques, and material interfaces. A series of blower door tests were conducted on different wooden envelope assemblies to measure infiltration rates, while computational simulations provided further insights into air leakage pathways and the efficiency of various mitigation strategies.

The results reveal significant variations in airtightness performance depending on joint designs, sealing methods, and installation precision. The findings emphasize the importance of selecting optimized construction techniques and air-sealing solutions to reduce energy losses while maintaining the hygrothermal stability of wooden structures. The study also proposes best practices for improving airtightness in wooden buildings, supporting the development of more robust and energy-efficient construction methods.

The novelty of this research lies in its integrated approach, combining empirical measurements with advanced simulations to provide a deeper understanding of airtightness behavior in wooden constructions. The insights gained contribute to improving construction practices and informing policy recommendations for achieving higher energy performance in sustainable buildings. Given the growing global focus on energy-efficient and climate-resilient buildings, this study is particularly relevant for designers, engineers, and policymakers working towards more sustainable wooden construction solutions.

This paper investigates the hygrothermal performance of plaster systems made from lime-cement and natural hydraulic lime (NHL) plasters, applied on EPS, wood fibre board, phenolic foam and mineral wool insulation. Seven months of measurement results from a freestanding outdoor test wall are presented. The set-up consists of 18 sections on four different insulation materials oriented towards both North and South. For each insulation type, both a thin lime-cement plaster system and a thick NHL plaster system were applied. Furthermore, the lower parts of all the wall sections were treated with a hydrophobic agent.

Basic hygrothermal properties of all facade plasters utilized in this study were measured. Following the initial curing and drying phase, temperature and relative humidity (RH) data from August 2024 to March 2025 were analysed. Moisture dynamics between north- and south-facing facades were compared, and differ-ences attributable to various insulation materials and plaster types were analysed. Additionally, the influence of hydrophobic treatment on the moisture regime of facade plasters was evaluated.

The findings reveal significant seasonal variations in relative humidity behind thick versus thin plaster systems. As anticipated, thick plasters combined with hygroscopic insulation materials exhibited substantially greater moisture inertia compared to thin plaster systems applied over vapour-tight, hygrophobic sub-strates. Thick plaster system combinations showed early indications of biological growth following the first winter, especially south oriented section with wood fi-bre board insulation.

Rising temperatures in urban areas increase the importance of vegetated structures that use evapotranspiration (ET) to naturally provide cooling the outdoor microclimate and reduce the amount of heat transferred through the envelope to the interior. The article discusses the theoretical calculation of evapotranspiration from meteorological data according to the FAO PM method. The measured values were compared with the data obtained by a weather station with the determination of the daily ET on an experimental vegetated roof in Dubnica nad Váhom. The redistribution of solar energy falling on the roof structure and the influence of the main weather input parameters on the ET efficiency were analysed. The research concluded that approximately 50 % of the incoming solar energy is able to be absorbed by the ET process during sunny days.

In the theoretical analysis, it was demonstrated that efficient ET can significantly reduce cooling energy in summer, especially for large roof areas of industrial buildings, thus saving costs and improving the indoor climate. However, the long-term effect of ET requires a sufficient water supply, which emphasises the importance of designing irrigation systems in the preliminary design stages.