XXX_Thermal and hygrothermal assessment of an innovative solution for the slab edge detail of timber frame constructions

An innovative timber construction company has invented a new approach for the construction of a slab edge detail for timber-frame constructions. Combining modern materials the solution should be able to meet the complex and often critical challenges that are related to his part of the building. Beyond its thermal and hygrothermal performance an elaborate preproduction design focuses on the reduction of required interfaces, cost and time. Due to the complex transient hygrothermal conditions in the slab area and the challenging physical properties of the materials used, the evaluation of the thermal and hygrothermal performance of the newly invented detail demanded the application of modern simulation tools. In a first step the local temperature fields had to be determined, by using large-scale dynamic thermal simulations, using the typical, as well as a critical annual temperature cycles. Based on these results the hygrothermal performance of the slab-edge details could be assessed by using the two modern simulation tools WUFI-2d and HTflux. Based on the findings of the hygrothermal simulations, we were able to gather precious knowledge regarding the required materials and sealing-solutions. Furthermore we were able to point out new paths for further improvement of the slab-edge solution.