The Bio-Hygrothermal Performance of Mid-Rise Non-Residential Timber Framed Façade Systems

Project Description

This project aims to explore hygrothermal interactions for advanced wood-product-based mid-rise façade systems. This project will generate new knowledge regarding wood-product based façade system design that adequately manages inward and outward flows of energy and moisture. Knowledge will be generated via computer-based bio-hygrothermal simulation and observations from prototype constructions. Expected outcomes will include new methods to use plantation grown wood products within the façade system of mid-rise buildings in Australia. This will enhance Australia’s architectural, engineering, and construction capabilities to design low embodied energy mid-rise buildings and will significantly benefit the greater use of low-carbon intensive plantation wood products.

Targeted industry focused outcomes

This research will establish likely patterns for timber-framed mid-rise façade systems that address aspects of hygrothermal (heat and moisture) and bio-hygrothermal (mould growth) suitable for Australia’s diverse climate types, providing a source-book for industry partners to further develop low-carbon intensity buildings.

Targeted industry focused outcomes include:

Technical guide re the use of timber in façade systems for mid-rise buildings from other nations and the potential for these systems in Australia.
Technical guide re the use of timber in façade systems for mid-rise buildings and design principles to manage surface and interstitial moisture and mould.
Six monthly updates provided via ARCATH website and industry-based publications.
At least two presentations within Industry based conference events.

Impact will be measured by:

Non-academic publications,
Academic publications,
Presentations at industry-based events/conferences,
Webinar or face-to-face seminars during the latter stages of the research, and
Assessment via the in-kind involvement from the industry-based partners.

Objectives/Deliverables

Engagement of a PhD candidate.
An intensive national and international literature review exploring the use of plantation wood products within wood fibre based mid-rise façade system design and construction.
Design and test via computer-based bio-hygrothermal simulation façade systems that could utilise plantation wood products.
Design and test selected protypes within test buildings within at least three different Australian climate types.
Analyse and compare data between prototype wall systems and desktop simulation data.
Provide a guide for the design and construction sector that described mid-rise façade systems that utilise plantation wood products.
Provide written articles and industry based seminars in December 2025, December 2026, December 2027 and June 2028 to share, disseminate and publish research findings.

Project Leader/s

Mark Dewsbury

Node Leader - Timber Building Performance for Occupants; Project Leader

University of Tasmania

Project Staff

PhD Candidate

PhD Scholarship Opportunity

Research Assistant

Research Assistant Opportunity

Project Investigators

Mark Dewsbury

Node Leader - Timber Building Performance for Occupants; Project Leader

University of Tasmania

Paola Leardini

Node Leader - Design for Extended Building Life; Project Leader

The University of Queensland

Eugenia Gasparri

Project Leader; Chief Investigator

The University of Sydney

Arianna Brambilla

Project Leader; Chief Investigator

The University of Sydney

Francisco Rodriguez Bejarano

Affiliate Investigator

ROTHOBLAAS SRL

Project