Hygrothermal Performance Evaluation of Gypsum Plaster Houses in Brazil

Since the beginning of human civilization different strategies were used in order to build healthy, comfortable and economical houses. In recent years, the hygrothermal conditions of building’s interior has been widely studied and parameterized. The use of gypsum plaster in building blocks, in Brazil, is still a restricted item, due to lack of knowledge on technology. Another factor that restricts the use of the blocks is the location of the deposits of gypsum, a material that gives rise to the plaster, which are located in the West of the State of Pernambuco, located far from the large consuming centers, potentially located in the southeast of the country. However, the interest in your study is determined by the annual consumption growth that reaches about 8% per year in Brazil. For the development of this study, in particular for Brazil, it is important to analysis the housing deficit in Brazil. The analysis indicates a clear need for new housing construction in the country. Preferably should be chosen simple constructive solutions, fast and easy to implement, without neglecting the comfort and durability. The use of local natural endogenous resources such as gypsum plaster, can be an attractive solution from an environmental point of view as well as economical. Brazil is a very large country with very different climates throughout its regions, so it was made a comprehensive study of the country’s climate data and the constructive strategies adopted by NBR15220 and NBR 15575 standards, for each bioclimatic zone, to ensure the minimum comfort conditions. The hygrothermal analysis, reflected on the thermal comfort and night time ventilation in Brazilian gypsum plaster houses, was based on the adaptive model described in ASHRAE 55 and ISO 7730 standards for the evaluation of thermal comfort.