Hygrothermal study in a self-built house: computer simulation and field monitoring

Abstract Low cost self-built dwellings are usually precarious, especially in terms of habitability. Despite the fact that this type of dwelling is frequently found in Brazil, there are few data measured in field monitoring on the hygrothermal behaviour of self-constructed building systems. Hence, the aim of this study is to analyse the hygrothermal behaviour of the external masonry wall of a self-built dwelling, constructed with clay bricks and covered with mortar on both faces. This investigation was based on a methodological approach involving hygrothermal computational simulation with the WUFI Pro software and humidity and temperature field measurements. The data collected during the monitoring were obtained through sensors connected to an Arduino Uno microcontroller, positioned inside and outside the dwelling. The result showed that the constructive system adopted in self-built dwellings is susceptible to hygrothermal variations higher than the normative parameters. The results quantify the hygrothermal behaviour of the self-construction building system, explaining the overt moisture and mold present. The methodology adopted for the measurements associated with the computational simulation shows that it is possible to experiment with constructive solutions based on the hygrothermal evaluation of the facade system, supporting planning and design decisions within the scope of housing improvement and technical assistance actions.