An experimental and numerical study of hygrothermal behaviour of an open-joint ventilated façade in Northwest Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Open‐joint ventilated façade are raised as an ideal typology at Spanish architectural construction. However, climate is diverse. Studies recommend ventilate façade being as an optimal solution for mild climates, due to the fact of cooling caused by thermal buoyancy inside the air cavity. It is no clear the advantage of this solution for humid climates and high rainfalls. This thesis selects a northwest Iberian peninsula climate with a type of façade very common there (open joint and ventilated with granite finishing). Research tries to analize higrothermal and heat behavior by a north façade monitorization. Also, sensibility analyses are performed. Finally, results obtained by simulation are compared by monitorization, and in order to improve its behavior, design recommendations are extracted. It conclusion, for climate analyzed as A Coruña (Köppen‐Geiger classification: Csb) for north orientation, air cavity does not improve higrothermal behaviour, nor energetic behaviour as well.