New database of materials for the renovation of the building stock in the Province of Bolzano

In order to design effective and safe internal insulation measures, it is essential to have reliable and objective data on the hygrothermal properties of the materials present in existing buildings. Today, however, this information is often missing or incomplete, making it more difficult to assess energy performance and moisture-related risks.

To meet this need, researchers at Eurac Research are developing a local materials database specific to the Province of Bolzano to support dynamic hygrothermal testing and the design of high-quality interventions on existing and historic buildings.

Researchers have

• analysed the most common materials in the provincial building stock and selected the most representative ones
• taken samples and started measuring the main hygrothermal properties in the Hygrothermal Testing Lab

Fifteen materials have been selected, divided as follows:

• 5 natural stones
• 3 types of bricks
• 4 types of plaster and mortar
• 3 types of wood

The measurement campaigns are ongoing, and the results will be entered into a database which, at the end of the project, will be distributed free of charge within ProCasaClima Hygrothermal, the software for dynamic hygrothermal simulations developed by Eurac Research and Agenzia CasaClima. As part of the project, the software will be further enhanced with new features and new datasets.

This work will benefit designers, consultants and companies, supporting more effective and safer internal insulation measures that are consistent with the characteristics of the local building stock.

The database is being developed as part of the InRenova project, which promotes internal insulation as a strategic solution for improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings in the Province of Bolzano, while respecting their historical and cultural value and in line with the region's climate and energy strategies.