Numerical analysis on building envelope

moisture condensation: A case study using

the glaser diagram method
Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 2191, 020023 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5138756
Published Online: 17 December 2019

Cesare Biserni, and Andrea Natale Imbiombato

AIP Conference Proceedings 2191, 020023 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5138756 2191, 020023

© 2019 Author(s).
 Numerical Analysis on Building Envelope Moisture
Condensation: A Case Study Using the Glaser Diagram
Method
Cesare Biserni1, a) and Andrea Natale Imbiombato1, b)
1
Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum -
University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
a)
Corresponding author: [email protected]
b)
[email protected]

Abstract. Requalification criteria with reference to existing buildings have to contemplate every aspect related to the
performance of the external envelope. As for this, great attention has been posed to the modalities to increase the thermal
performance of envelopes but practically no evidence has been dedicated to the study of condensation inside building
elements. Several kinds of pathology may be caused by condensation, from the appearance of molds to the deterioration of
the material itself. Ideally, the risk of condensation inside building elements should be identified before construction, during
the design phase. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that both the above-mentioned factors are correlated: greater thermal
insulation can lead to an increase in the risk of condensation and therefore it is necessary to work with reasoned choices on
materials, thicknesses and position of the insulation. In this context, the present study is aimed at the analysis of the
behaviour of moisture condensation with reference to a case study of a building exterior wall. Therefore, a numerical
investigation has been carried out by means of a commercial code, based on finite element method, in accordance to the
European Standard UNI EN ISO 13788. The Glaser method has been here employed, based on the steady-state diffusion
theory and all the calculations were performed on a monthly basis, taking into account internal moisture production rates
and outdoor climatic conditions. The results, with reference to the case study, present the occurrence of condensation
during the winter months and the possibility that the moisture is completely removed during the warmer periods.

INTRODUCTION

Moisture condensation is one of the main causes that produce undesirable effects on building envelopes in terms
of deterioration of materials, increasing of the thermal conductivity of the insulation, weakening of structures, growing
of mold and mildew. In literature, several studies have been focused on the thermal performance of building envelopes
[1-3] but practically no evidence has been dedicated to the study of condensation inside building elements. The
presence of moisture problems in building walls (moisture accumulation) may derive from various factors [4], such
as use of wet materials during construction, capillary rise from ground, infiltration of rainwater or melted snow,
leakage of piped water, continuous high humidity conditions and condensation of water vapour which crosses exterior
walls. Several methods have been proposed in literature to focus on the problem of condensation, described by Glaser
[5-11], Krischer et.Al. [12], Luikov [13] and Philip et Al. [14]. Although the Glaser model was introduced in the
second half of the 1950s (see Refs. [5–11]) it is still diffusely adopted in building practice as a combined graphical
and numerical method to assess the condensation of water vapour in building structures. In this context, the present
work deals with the analysis of moisture condensation with reference to a case study of a building exterior wall. Hence,
a numerical investigation has been carried out in accordance to the European Standard UNI EN ISO 13788 [15] by
means of a commercial code, the Comsol Multiphysics package [16]. The Glaser method has been here adopted, based
on the steady-state diffusion theory and it is worth mentioning that all the calculations were performed on a monthly
basis, considering internal moisture production rates and outdoor climatic conditions.

74th ATI National Congress

AIP Conf. Proc. 2191, 020023-1–020023-9; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5138756
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1938-4/$30.00

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 NUMERICAL MODEL

The equations of heat transfer and mass diffusion through the building envelope are presented in accordance to the
European Standard EN 15026 [17]:

(1)
𝜕𝑇
(𝜌 𝐶𝑝 )𝑒𝑓𝑓 − ∇ ∙ (𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 ∇𝑇 + 𝐿𝑣 𝛿𝑝 ∇(𝜑 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 )) = 𝑄,
𝜕𝑡

(2)
𝜕𝜑
𝜉 − ∇ ∙ (ξ 𝐷𝑤 ∇𝜑 + 𝛿𝑝 ∇(𝜑 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 )) = 𝐺.
𝜕𝑡

Where
• (𝜌 𝐶𝑝 )𝑒𝑓𝑓 is the effective volumetric heat capacity at constant pressure [ 𝐽/(𝑚3 𝐾)];
• 𝑇 is the temperature [ 𝐾];
• 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 is the effective thermal conductivity [ 𝑊/(𝑚 𝐾)];
• 𝐿𝑣 is the latent heat of evaporation [ 𝐽/𝐾];
• 𝛿𝑝 is the vapour permeability [ 𝑠];
• 𝜑 is the relative humidity;
• 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 is the vapour saturation pressure [𝑃𝑎];
• 𝑄 is the heat source [𝑊/(𝑚3 𝑠)];
• ξ is the moisture storage capacity [𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )];
• 𝐷𝑤 is the moisture diffusivity [ 𝑚2 /𝑠];
• 𝐺 is the moisture source [ 𝑘𝑔/(𝑚3 𝑠)].

By neglecting heat and moisture storage, latent heat effect and capillary transport of liquid moisture, the following
equations are obtained for heat and moisture transport:

−∇ ∙ (𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 ∇𝑇) = 𝑄, (3)

−∇ ∙ (𝛿𝑝 ∇(𝜑 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 )) = 𝐺. (4)

Eqs. (3)-(4) are fully consistent with the above-mentioned Glaser Method. Under the appropriate boundary
conditions of temperature and humidity, the solution of the Eqs. (3)-(4) allows to determine the temperature and
hygrometric degree field within the domain of interest.
Therefore, the saturation pressure distribution p sat(T) is automatically calculated by implementing the following
relation, taken from Ref. [15]:

(21.875 ∙ 𝑇)
𝑇<0 610.5 ∙ exp ( ⁄(265.5 + 𝑇))
𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 (𝑇) = { 𝑇 𝑖𝑛 °𝐶. (5)
(17.269 ∙ 𝑇)
𝑇≥0 610.5 ∙ exp ( ⁄(237.3 + 𝑇))

Thus, starting from the relative humidity (φ) in the domain, the distribution of partial pressure of vapour pvap (φ,T)
is determined as follows:
𝑝𝑣𝑎𝑝 (𝜑, 𝑇) = 𝜑 ∙ 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 (𝑇) (6)

The Glaser method relays essentially in the graphic comparison between the saturation pressure 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 (𝑇) and the
partial steam pressure 𝑝𝑣𝑎𝑝 (𝜑, 𝑇). More specifically, the following scenarios may take place:
• 𝑝𝑣𝑎𝑝 > 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 (𝑇): the phenomenon of condensation certainly occurs;
• 𝑝𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 (𝑇): there is a chance of condensation;

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 • 𝑝𝑣𝑎𝑝 < 𝑝𝑠𝑎𝑡 (𝑇): no condensation occurs.

In case condensation occurs, the following verifications have to be performed:

1) if the quantity of condensed vapour exceeds (or not) the threshold value provided by the manufacturer;
2) if the amount of condensate may evaporate during summer.

The amount of condensate can be calculated in accordance with Ref. [15]:

(7)
𝛥𝑝
𝑔 = 𝛿0
𝑠𝑑

where δ0=2 x 10-10 [kg/(m s Pa)] is the water vapour permeability of air, Δp [Pa] is the pressure difference between
inside and outside and sd =s/δ [(m2 s Pa)/kg] is the equivalent thickness.
In other words, if the amount of condensate gathered during winter does not exceed specified limits and it is lower
than that of evaporated water, the building structure all the same fits the verification.

Validation test

In order to calibrate the numerical model here adopted, it has been firstly applied to the case study illustrated in
Ref. [4], considering the coldest month. Table 1 highlights the thermal characteristics of the building envelope under
investigation
TABLE 1. Thermo-hygrometric proprieties of the wall examined in the validation test.

Vapour Permeability
Layers Thermal Conductivity [W/(m K)]
[kg/(m s Pa)]

Internal plaster (0,015 m) 0,7 1,8 x 10-11

Brick layer (0,20 m) 0,47 3,6 x 10-11

Insulating material (0,02 m) 0,038 1,5 x 10-10

External plaster (0,015 m) 0,9 1,2 x 10-11

The operating environmental conditions were:

• internal temperature Ti= 20 °C;
• external temperature Te= 1.7 °C;
• internal humidity 𝜑 𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 78 %;
• external humidity 𝜑 𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 85 %;
• internal superficial thermal resistance Rsi=0,25 W/(m K)
• external superficial resistance Rse=0,04 W/(m K).

The above mentioned superficial thermal resistances have been inserted in the code in terms of the advection
coefficients, precisely hint=1/Rsi=4 (m K)/W and hext=1/Rse=25 (m K)/W.
Figures 1(a) shows the temperature distribution and Figure 1(b) highlights the trend of the saturation pressure and
the partial pressure of vapour over the geometry described in Table 1. The diagrams have been obtained by
implementing Eqs. (3)-(4) and Eqs. (5)-(6), respectively.

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 (a) (b)
FIGURE 1. Graphical results of the numerical investigation with reference to the geometry described in Table 1: a) temperature
distribution and b) saturation pressure and partial pressure of vapour.

Starting from the data plotted in Figures 1(a) and (b), the Glaser diagram has been consequently elaborated and
depicted in Figures 2. It is worth mentioning that the quantity reported on the abscissa axis is defined as follows:

(8)
𝑠𝑗
𝑅𝑡 = ∑𝑁
𝑗=1 𝛿𝑗

Where s is the thickness of the generic j-element and 𝛿𝑗 its vapour permeability.

FIGURE. 2. Glaser Diagram with reference to the domain analyzed by Bellia et Al. [4].

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 Based on pure observation, under the tested environmental conditions, interstitial condensation occurs, as
confirmed by the intersection between the partial pressure of vapour and the saturation pressure. Therefore, the
quantity of condensed vapour, gc, has been calculated and compared with the value obtained in Ref. [4] considering
the same geometry and taking into account a period of 60 days, precisely January. Table 2 highlights the results of the
comparison.

TABLE 2. Comparison between the results here obtained and those of Bellia et Al. [4].

Bellia and Minichiello [4] Present work

Quantity of condensed vapour,
g [kg/m2]-January 0,0429 0,0462

The weak discrepancy can be justified by the different simplifying conditions in the numerical approaches.

CASE STUDY: RESULTS

The case study has been here analyzed consisted in the wall depicted in Figure 3 and described in Table 3.
Therefore, the systems of Eqs. (3)-(4) and Eqs. (5)-(6) were solved adopting the numerical procedure described in
paragraph 2.

FIGURE. 3. Schematic representation of the external wall.

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 TABLE 3. Thermo-hygrometric proprieties of the wall examined in the case study.

Vapour Permeability
Layers Thermal Conductivity [W/(m K)]
[kg/(m s Pa)]

Internal plaster (0,02 m) 0,7 11,7 x 10-12

Brick layer (0,12 m) 0,36 22 x 10-12

Insulating material (0,06 m) 0,041 5,83 x 10-12

Brick layer (0,14 m) 0,36 22 x 10-12

External plaster (0,02 m) 1,4 11,7 x 10-12

For sake of brevity, the results in terms of behaviour of moisture condensation were limited to December and
January, where the climatic conditions with reference to the city of Milan are:
• internal temperature Ti= 20 °C;
• external temperature Te= 0 °C (December) and Te= -2 °C (January);
• internal humidity 𝜑 𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 60 %;
• external humidity 𝜑 𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 84 % (December) and 𝜑 𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 83 % (January);
• internal superficial thermal resistance Rsi=0,25 W/(m K)
• external superficial resistance Rse=0,04 W/(m K).

Figure 4 shows the results in terms of temperature profile into the examined wall.

FIGURE. 4. Temperature distribution.

Consequently, starting from the data obtained by implementing Eqs. (3)-(4) and Eqs. (5)-(6), the Glaser diagrams
with reference to the case study have been elaborated and depicted in Figures 5 and 6.

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FIGURE. 5. Glaser Diagram referred to the environmental conditions of December.

FIGURE. 6. Glaser Diagram referred to the environmental conditions of January.

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 Based on pure observation from Figures 5 and 6 it is evident that both in December and January the interstitial
condensation appears as confirmed by the intersection between the curves of the vapour partial pressure and the
saturation pressure. The quantities of moisture condensed have been calculated in accordance to Ref. [15] and resulted
g = 0,007 kg/m2 and g = 0,0403 kg/m2, respectively referred to December and January.

The intrinsic limit of the material in terms of admissible condensate, provided by the manufacturer, can be
calculated as:

(9)
λ
𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑚 = 5000 𝜌 𝑠 ( ) = 462.8 𝑘𝑔/𝑚2
1−1.7 λ

Where 𝜌 is the density [kg/m3], 𝑠 is the thickness [m] and λ is the thermal conductivity [W/m2 K].

Finally, the case study demonstrated that the quantity of condensed vapour is inferior to the threshold value of Eq.
(9) and at the same time, the moisture proves to be completely removed during the warmer periods.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The present study is focused on the analysis of the behaviour of moisture condensation with reference to a case
study of a building exterior wall. This paper is aimed at providing a compendium for researchers and practitioners in
the field of thermal engineering. A computational investigation has been outlined by means of a numerical code
developed by the authors, based on finite element method, settled in COMSOL ambient, in accordance with the
European Standard UNI EN ISO 13788. The above-mentioned procedure can be extended to many practical examples
because the model here developed allows: (i) to determine the minimum thermal resistance of a building component
in order to avoid critical surface humidity, and (ii) to check if interstitial condensation occurs in any kind of multi-
layer wall. The results have been firstly tested by means of comparative analysis with those found in literature (see
section 2.1). Therefore, the Glaser method has been employed, based on the steady-state diffusion theory and all the
calculations were performed on a monthly basis, taking into account internal moisture production rates and outdoor
climatic conditions. Finally, it was demonstrated that the quantity of condensed vapour does not exceed the threshold
value provided by the manufacturer and at the same time the moisture proves to be completely removed during the
warmer periods.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors were sponsored by the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research.

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