Mold development risk assessment in the inner side of a building envelope under varying climate conditions

Mold infestation in buildings can arise due to favorable growth conditions for mold fungi, posing significant health risks and structural damage. This research aims to understand the complex transient building physics processes influencing mold development, focusing on the influence of physical building variables on the transient humidity and temperature behavior of building components in various climates. The study utilizes WUFI, a hydro-thermal simulation software, to assess mold risk in an exterior wall design. The results indicate that a broadly applicable approach can effectively guide safe design practices. The goal is to predict mold development on building materials during the design stage and minimize the risk of mold growth throughout the materials' service life. © This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).