Dolf van Onna

Hygrothermal performance assessment of refurbishment solutions Dolf van Onna

The context of this research was in the field building physics and services, the focus was on the hygrothermal aspects of refurbishment solutions. The research started with the investigation of ten case studies of post-war building (systems). Two case studies have been chosen for further analyses within the study. One of these two case studies, a post-war prefab steel concrete frame dwelling (an Airey complex), is discussed in this report. The refurbishment of an Airey complex was one of the chosen for further analyses because of its unique construction method and because this building method is characteristic for the post-war period. The steel/concrete frame, concrete façade panels and non-load bearing inner walls make this system unique, and standard refurbishment solutions may not be suitable. In addition, a literature study for refurbishment solutions of monumental buildings concluded there is no ideal single solution for the internal insulation of monumental buildings. The internal insulation of monumental buildings may introduce the risk of interstitial condensation, water accumulation, and mould growth.