Influence of materials and surface parameters on the moisture buffering in office buildings: A sensitivity analysis of China

The management of indoor humidity through equipment consumes massive energy, leading to the growing interest in passive regulation of indoor humidity via moisture buffering. Numerous factors may impact the performance of interior finishing material during moisture regulation, thus identifying the dominant parameters is critical for moisture buffering effect optimization. This study analyzes the influence of five moisture and surface parameters, which are directly related to the moisture transfer of the interior finishing layer, on the thermal loads in a typical office building under typical climates in China. The analysis employs scatter plots and sensitivity indices based on Sobol's method. The results show that the material thickness plays a decisive role under different climates. The importance of sorption isotherm varies with climates and load types. The vapor diffusion resistance factor of the material only affects the latent heat loads, while the effect of the surface vapor transfer resistance is negligible. Finally, this study puts forward suggestions for interior finishing material selection to achieve low-load performance based on the characteristics of parameter combinations.