Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, İzmir, 2006. / Keywords: Dampness, humidity, moisture,restoration. Includes bibliographical references (leaves. 66-69).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Concordia University (Canada), 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Relative humidity (RH) is an important parameter associated with occupant comfort in buildings. However, the effects of RH on indoor source off-gassing and interactions between air pollutants and indoor materials are poorly understood. For this study, air samples were collected in residential buildings to characterize “background” concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. The interior space was then humidified for several hours prior to collection of another air sample to characterize the effects of increased RH on VOC concentrations. Samples were analyzed by GC/FID with abundance “binning” by elution time. Some samples were also analyzed using GC/MS to identify specific VOCs. Results indicate that increasing RH is associated with increases in VOC concentrations in residential indoor air. Many of the chemicals that show enhanced off-gassing are associated with architectural coating, moth repellents, and cleaning agents. The results of this study are novel and may have implications with respect to health effects associated with damp buildings and increased respiratory effects of children during sleep in bedrooms with elevated RH. / text

Dampness in the indoor environment have been a major issue of discussion the last decades since more and more people complain about their indoor environment. In the present situation there are difficulties to find what causes people’s discomfort in a damp environment even though there is a strong connection between dampness and human health. The aim of the thesis was to contribute to the work done today to achieve a better indoor environment in damp buildings. The purpose of the work was to evaluate whether the measures issued for dampness in the indoor environment contributes to the improvement of health and environment for those who are living or working in that space. Through a literature review, interview and survey the following three questions were answered to achieve the aim and purpose: How are people affected by the indoor environment in damp buildings? Which are the measures issued to prevent dampness in the indoor environment? Do these interventions contribute to a better indoor environment? How people are affected by the indoor environment in damp buildings and how these problems are prevented were the foundation for the continued work with the survey. The discomforts that are often related to dampness and mould are respiratory symptoms and asthma. In addition symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, nausea and reduced lung capacity are also connected to these problems. The measures that are recommended in prevalence of dampness and mould growth have either the intention to prevent dampness and mould growth in buildings or remove unpleasant odour from the indoor environment. The measures used are cleaning, dehumidification, underpressure, improved ventilation and deconstruction and reconstruction. Furthermore, a survey was conducted where 9 different projects participated where the employees experienced these problems. The result was then divided in two groups where they either had implemented all the measures proposed by specialists or had only implemented some of them. The result of the survey showed that the applied measures contributed to the improvement of the employees health since less people felt the symptoms such as irritation of eyes, nose or throat, dryness of the throat or skin and fatigue, headache or nausea. It was especially noticeable for those who were working at a project were all the measures had been implemented. Recommendations for future investigations in the subject are to study how different measures improve different health problem. Even though the measures appliance are known it is still unknown how they are related to different health problems. / Fuktrelaterade inomhusmiljöproblem har varit en stor diskussionsfråga de senaste decennierna då fler och fler människor klagar på sin inomhusmiljö. I dagsläget finns det svårigheter att hitta vad som orsakar människors upplevda besvär i en fuktig inomhusmiljö. Dock har studier visat att det finns en stark sammankoppling mellan fukt och människors hälsa.  Syftet med examensarbetet är att bidra i det arbete som görs för att uppnå en bättre miljö i byggnader med fuktrelaterade inomhusmiljöproblem. Målet med arbetet är att utvärdera om de åtgärder som utfärdas för fuktrelaterade inomhusmiljöproblem bidrar till en förbättring av miljön för de nyttjande i byggnaden. Genom litteraturstudie, intervjuer och enkät besvarades följande tre frågor för att uppnå mål och syfte:   Hur påverkas människor i byggnader med fuktrelaterade inomhusmiljöproblem? Hur åtgärdas fuktrelaterade inomhusmiljöproblem i byggnader idag? Bidrar dessa åtgärder till en bättre inomhusmiljö för de nyttjande? Fördjupningen av hur människan påverkas av fuktrelaterade inomhusmiljöproblem och vilka åtgärder som tillämpas vid dessa problem var grunden till det fortsatta arbetet med enkätundersökningen. De besvär som oftast relateras till fukt- och mögelproblem är respiratoriska symtom eller astmasymtom. Utöver det kan även symtom så som trötthet, huvudvärk, illamående och minskad lungkapacitet kopplas till dessa problem. De åtgärder som rekommenderas vid förekomsten av dessa besvär har som avsikt att förhindra fukt och mögelpåväxt i byggnader samt att avlägsna avvikande lukt från inomhusmiljön. Åtgärderna som genomförs är rensning, avfuktning, undertryck, förbättrad bostadsventilation samt rivning och återuppbyggnad. Vidare gjordes enkätundersökningen vid nio olika projekt där anställda upplevde hälsobesvär på arbetsplatsen. En indelning gjordes av projekten i två grupper, antingen hade samtliga åtgärder genomförts av de som hade föreslagits av fuktskadeutredare eller så hade endast en del av dem åtgärdats. Resultatet av enkätundersökningen visade att de tillämpade åtgärderna bidrog till att människorna mådde bättre efter att skadorna hade åtgärdats då färre kände av besvär så som irritation i ögon, näsa eller hals, torrhetskänsla i slemhinnor eller hud samt trötthet, huvudvärk eller illamående. Det var framförallt tydligt för de projekt som hade genomfört samtliga åtgärder.   Rekommendation för fortsatt arbete är att studera vilka åtgärder som förbättrar vilka hälsobesvär då åtgärdernas tillämpning är kända men deras koppling till hälsobesvär fortfarande oklara.

The study aimed to identify deterioration problems, repair and conservation needs of andesites on the walls of the Ankara Castle. Decay forms of walls were documented by visual examination. Samples taken from the surface of the weathered andesites were examined for their basic physical, mechanical compositional and minerological properties. The bulk density and total porosity were determined as basic physical properties. The mechanical properties were expressed as ultrasonic velocity and modulus of elasticity (Emod). Compositional and mineralogical properties were determined by optical microscopy and XRD analyses. Soluble salt content of the andesite samples was determined by spot tests of anions and electrical conductivity measurements. Findings were evaluated in terms of the long-term weathering behaviour of andesites under the effect of the prevailing climate, air pollution problems of Ankara, dampness problems of the structure, previous repairs with incompatible cement mortars. The surfaces of Ankara Castle andesite blocks were heavily weathered. The results were compared with the physical and mechanical properties of fresh andesites from G&ouml / lbaSi-Ankara quarry. The surface of the andesite blocks at the Ankara Castle, had low bulk density and high porosity, low ultrasonic velocity and low Emod values. Thin section and XRD analyses supported those results by revealing the presence of physical and chemical weathering on feldspars and other main minerals of andesite, as well as the presence of amorphous minerals at the surface.

L’isolation thermique par l’extérieure (ITE) constitue une solution technique intéressante pour améliorer les performances énergétiques du secteur du bâtiment. Cependant, l’ITE peut venir modifier l’équilibre hygrothermique de l’enveloppe et affecter sa durabilité, notamment au regard de l’humidité. Dans ce contexte, un premier travail a consisté à étudier en laboratoire le comportement hygrothermique de trois systèmes d’ITE rapportés sur une paroi en parpaing : un système ETICS (PSE sous enduit mis en œuvre par voie humide) et deux systèmes sous bardage (mis en œuvre par voie sèche), dont un incluant des matériaux biosourcés (laine de bois et ouate de cellulose). Des expériences en enceinte biclimatique, combinées à des simulations numériques des transferts couplés de chaleur et de masse, ont permis d’appréhender le comportement hygrothermique de ces parois rénovées à différents stades : lors de la pose des solutions d’ITE, en usage « normal » et dans des conditions conduisant à des risques de condensation. Les résultats du système ETICS montrent le rôle important de la colle et la difficulté à appréhender numériquement son comportement. Les résultats des systèmes sous bardage soulignent l’intérêt d’utiliser des matériaux biosourcés dans des conditions à risques, mais également la sensibilité des simulations numériques aux propriétés hydriques des matériaux hygroscopiques. Un second travail portant sur l’analyse in situ d’un système d’ITE sous bardage a souligné l’absence de risques majeurs liés à l’humidité durant les deux années étudiées. Par ailleurs, la comparaison simulation/expérience a mis en évidence le rôle important joué par la lame d’air ventilée. / External thermal insulation (ETI) is an interesting technical solution for improving the energy performance of the building sector. However, ETI may change the hygrothermal balance of the envelope and affect its durability, especially with regard to moisture. With this in mind, a first work consisted in studying the hygrothermal behavior of three systems of ETI set on a hollow concrete block wall in the laboratory: an ETICS system (wet process) and two systems under cladding (dry process), with one of them composed with bio-based materials (wood wool and cellulose wadding). Experiments in a bi-climatic enclosure, combined with numerical simulations of coupled heat and mass transfers, made it possible to apprehend the hygrothermal behavior of these renovated walls at different stages: during the installation of ETI solutions, in "normal" use and under conditions leading to risks of condensation. The results of the ETICS system show the important role of the glue and the difficulty to understand numerically its behavior. The results of the cladding systems underline the interest of using bio-based materials under hazardous conditions, but also the sensitivity of numerical simulations to the hydric properties of hygroscopic materials. A second study on the in situ analysis of a cladding ETI system highlighted the absence of major risks related to humidity during the two years studied. In addition, the simulation / experiment comparison highlighted the important role played by the ventilated air.

Hostel dwellers form a larger part of the urban population in South Africa (Ramphele, 1999). These hostels were initially created as temporal arrangement for African men moving from rural to urban areas seeking for employment. Due to housing shortage in urban areas they eventually became permanent residential accommodation. However, observations into the environmental conditions in these hostels have raised concerns about the health and well being of residents and neighbouring communities. The area of study was selected on the basis of the current depleted living conditions due to mismanagement of facilities provided by both the occupants and the hostel administrators. The study was a cross sectional descriptive study involving all three Durban Metropolitan block hostels. Assessing (i) the quality of block hostel environment (indoor and outdoor) through visual inspection (walkthrough), (ii) the exposure measures and outcomes (biophysical environment assessment) by means of questionnaire survey, air testing and microbial identification. Sixty three (63) hostel inventory were completed, followed by the administration of 450 questionnaires, and 646 surface and air samples were collected in the indoors of the selected hostel blocks including the control outdoor samples. The demographic profile of the hostel dwellers in the selected hostel blocks revealed that in the five bed type dormitories the habitable space per individual was 3 m 2 to 3.8 m2. Whilst in the ten bed type dormitories the habitable space per individual was 3.3 m 2 to 3.6 m2 . This was not even close to the World Health Organization suggested habitable space of 12 m2 (WHO, 2000) and was therefore regarded as overcrowding. Lack of access control in the hostels exacerbated by the socio-economic demands of the living environments, e.g. unemployment, was to blame for overcrowding. This overcrowding of the hostels was overloading the services, causing enormous number of blockages and bursts of wastewater pipes resulting in the system not functioning. This situation resulted in the accumulation of dampness in the indoor environment, and hence creating conditions favouring the growth of indoor mouldiness in the buildings. This was further supported by evidence that 47% of the occupants in the selected hostel blocks were experiencing respiratory symptoms and 53% experiencing non-respiratory symptoms. The most recorded respiratory symptoms were pulmonary tuberculosis (14.3%), chest tightness (12.2%), sore and dry throat (7%), sinus congestion (7%) symptoms. Whilst the most recorded non-respiratory symptoms were headache (11.5%), dry and itchy skin (11.5%), stomach upset (6.3%) and fatigue (3.6%). Forty five percent (45%) of the respondents were current smokers and 80% of them had a tendency of smoking indoors. The results of the surface and air samples indicated that the level of indoor mould growth in the selected hostel blocks was at 37, 24%. Surface moulds were at 58% and airborne spores were at 42%. Statistical analysis of data revealed a significant relationship between exposure factors and outcomes in the 5, 10 and 15-bed type dormitories. Incidence Risk Rate (IRR) and the p-value (p . 0.01) were used to determine relationships between exposure factors and outcomes. Certain factors were very much supportive in the development of selfreported symptoms in the selected hostel blocks of the three hostels under certain circumstances and these were the hygiene state of the building, leaking pipes, smoking habits and total mea and dg surface moulds. At all levels of the analysis the hygiene state of the building was very much supportive in the development of self-reported symptoms. Other exposure factors were not supportive at all, for example, structural defects, bed-types, different floor levels and participants' perception of overcrowding. A review process of the role of legislation in controlling the adverse health effects revealed that certain aspects of the legislation relating to building standards requirements, sanitation requirements, ventilation requirements, space and density requirements, and air quality standards requirements were violated. Therefore, the findings of the study recommended that a proper management plan must be developed to enhance living standards. This plan shall include a routine maintenance of the building structures, the development of a culture of self-care, as well as access control in the hostels. In addition to that where there are signs of visible moulds on walls and ceilings adequate control measures are highly recommended using commercially available measures in order to provide a healthy living environment. In conclusion is the adoption of a compliance policy towards legal requirements pertaining to building standards as defined in the National Building Regulations Standards Act (Act 103 of 1977). This study has showed that necessary iii steps need to be taken in South Africa in order to combat this problem. Further research need to be taken in order the inhabitable buildings to be better living environment improving the existing building structures. / Thesis (MMed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119). Also available on the Internet.