Moisture

This 54-minute course offers a comprehensive understanding of 'Advanced Moisture Simulation using AIRAH DA07,' a sophisticated hygrothermal analysis methodology for assessing mould growth risk and condensation potential within building envelope systems. Through detailed technical instruction using EnergyPlus HAMT (Heat and Moisture Transfer) calculations, participants will learn to configure, execute, and interpret dynamic moisture simulations that demonstrate compliance with Australia's National Construction Code requirements.

Key Course Content:

Regulatory Framework and National Construction Code Compliance

The course begins by establishing the regulatory context of AIRAH DA07 within Australia's National Construction Code, focusing on performance requirements for managing water vapour and condensation risks in wall and roof assemblies. Participants explore the fundamental requirement for mould growth index values ≤3.0 on interior surfaces of water control layers, understanding the relationship between AIRAH DA07 and equivalent ASHRAE 160 methodologies, and the strategic application of simulation when deemed-to-satisfy provisions cannot be met. The session establishes critical definitions of condensation formation and occupant health impact minimisation requirements.

Advanced Material Properties and Initial Moisture Loading

A key part of the course delves into sophisticated material characterisation including EMC90 (90% equivalent moisture content) assumptions for concrete materials, 2×EMC80 initial moisture loading for all other building materials, and the strategic 'worst-case scenario' approach that moisture-loads systems at simulation commencement. Participants learn about material sensitivity classifications ranging from very sensitive (untreated timber) to resistant (treated metals and glass), vapour diffusion resistance parameters critical for moisture transfer analysis, and thermal conductivity variations as functions of material moisture content throughout simulation periods.

Environmental Boundary Conditions and Climate Integration

Critical attention is given to comprehensive environmental parameter specification including intermediate method moisture generation rates for residential buildings based on bedroom count and occupancy patterns, ventilation rate assumptions (0.2 ACH default) with provisions for designed mechanical systems per AS 1668.2, and conservative climate file modifications including 10% relative humidity increases to account for contemporary atmospheric conditions. The session covers external temperature and humidity boundary condition establishment, internal moisture dumping calculations per space volume, and the critical relationship between ventilation design and condensation risk management.

Multi-Objective Simulation Configuration and Analysis Scope

The session extensively covers sophisticated simulation setup methodologies including multi-objective analysis combining mould growth, relative humidity, temperature, and water content assessments, regional analysis focusing on external and internal material surface conditions (1mm assessment depth), and run period optimisation from 3-year initial assessments to 10-year comprehensive evaluations for design team submissions. Advanced topics include cavity ventilation modelling for precast systems, surface resistance customisation for paint finishes, and solar/thermal/visible absorbance parameter configuration.

Results Interpretation and Performance Validation

Participants gain comprehensive experience interpreting complex hygrothermal simulation results including year-on-year mould growth progression analysis to identify long-term failure patterns, relative humidity distribution patterns identifying condensation plane formation at material interfaces, temperature profile analysis revealing cold spots conducive to mould growth conditions, and water content density interpretation including theoretical maximum moisture storage capacity assessment. The course demonstrates critical evaluation of vapour pressure versus saturation vapour pressure relationships across building envelope layers.

Professional Documentation and Quality Assurance Workflows

Advanced topics include comprehensive report generation with detailed material property assumptions and simulation methodology documentation, quality assurance verification through downloadable simulation data for independent mould growth calculations using AIRAH DA07 equations, strategic simulation scope refinement for regulatory submission (mould growth focus vs comprehensive multi-objective analysis), and professional presentation of results demonstrating technical competency in advanced hygrothermal analysis. The course emphasises systematic validation of input assumptions and critical interpretation of results indicating potential system failures requiring design intervention.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, participants will be thoroughly equipped to execute advanced moisture simulations using AIRAH DA07 methodology, interpret complex hygrothermal analysis results accurately, and provide professional documentation suitable for National Construction Code compliance demonstration whilst understanding the sophisticated interplay between material properties, environmental conditions, and building envelope performance.

Course Completion:

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon achieving an 80% pass mark on the final quiz.

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