On coupling 1D non-isothermal heat and mass transfer in porous materials with a multizone building energy simulation model

Hygroscopic materials available in the interior of buildings such as wood, gypsum, paper etc, are able to absorb moisture if the relative humidity of the room increases and release it again if the relative humidity decreases. This moisture buffering phenomenon is often accounted for in a simplified way in Building Energy Simulation programs (BES) e.g. TRNSYS, which limits their applicability. Nevertheless several building applications require an accurate prediction of the indoor relative humidity already from the design stage.