A Finite Element Method for Nonlinear and Fully Coupled Transient Hygrothermal Transfer
Source abstract
Abstract
A fully coupling nonlinear finite element algorithm for moisture and heat transfer is developed and implemented. The finite element model starts from a suitable formulation of the constitutive and equilibrium equations. The nonlinearity arises due to the strong moisture and temperature dependence of the material properties. Four examples are presented to check the validity and precision of the finite element model. Two of the examples compare the numerical results with simplified, one-dimensional analytical solutions. Perfect agreement is obtained between the analytical and numerical solutions. The results show that the dependency of the material coefficients on the moisture and temperature is important, even for one-dimensional cases. The other two examples, without direct analytical solution due to the material nonlinearity, show that the fully coupling between the moisture and heat conduction is essential. The formulation can be used for the transient analysis of moisture and heat conduction with arbitrary geometrical dimensions and time-dependent loading conditions.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Heat Transfer and Optimization · Thermal properties of materials · Hygrothermal properties of building materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Architectural Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211169, China
School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
References (23)
Show source-provided references
1. Residual stress in fiber reinforced thermosetting composites: A review of measurement techniques10.1002/pc.25934 ↗
2. The influence of the humidity on the mechanical properties of 3D printed continuous flax fibre reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.106805 ↗
3. Geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis of viscoelastic composite materials under mechanical and hygrothermal loads10.1016/0045-7949(94)90216-X ↗
4. Geometrically noninear bending analysis of piezoelectric fiber reinforced composite (MFC/AFC) crossly plate under hygrothermal environment10.1080/01495739.2013.818887 ↗
5. Some Hamiltonian variational principles for motions of a hygrohermoelastic medium10.1080/014957300280443 ↗
6. Hygrothermal coupling analysis of magneto- electroelastic beams using finite element methods10.1080/01495739.2018.1447856 ↗
7. Dynamics of thick hygrothermal viscoelastic composite laminates through finite element method10.12989/sem.2004.17.5.727 ↗
8. Nonlinear finite element analysis of laminated composite shells in hygrothermal environments10.1016/j.compstruct.2004.07.019 ↗
9. Finite element analysis of hygrothermal effects on angle-ply composite plates10.1177/0021998315602944 ↗
10. Hygrothermal analysis of multilayered composite plates by variable kinematic finite elements10.1080/01495739.2017.1360164 ↗
11. Hygrothermal analysis of magneto-electro-elastic plate using 3D finite element analysis10.1016/j.compstruct.2017.08.015 ↗
12. Finite element analysis of moisture distribution and hygrothermal stresses in TSOP IC packages10.1016/S0168-874X(98)00027-4 ↗
13. Finite element investigation of fatigue performance of CFRP-strengthened beams in hygrothermal environments10.1016/j.compstruct.2019.111676 ↗
14. An analytical solution to coupled heat and moisture diffusion transfer in porous materials10.1016/S0017-9310(00)00003-X ↗
15. A method for predicting heat and moisture transfer through multilayered walls based on temperature and moisture content gradients10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2004.08.011 ↗
16. A finite element model for hygrothermal analysis of masonry walls with FRP reinforcement10.1016/j.finel.2009.02.007 ↗
17. On the Coupled Transient Hygrothermal Analysis in the Porous Cylindrical Panels10.1007/s11242-021-01605-2 ↗
18. Zhu, Y., Song, W., Wang, X., Rybarczyk, Y., Nyberg, R.G., and Fe, A.B. (2023). Novel Approach to Discovering Hygrothermal Transfer Patterns in Wooden Building Exterior Walls. Buildings, 13.10.3390/buildings13092151 ↗
19. Mohammed El Ganaoui,Numerical investigation of the hygrothermal and energy performance of passive temperature-humidity regulation walls in various climate zones10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113231 ↗
20. A review on hygrothermal transfer behavior and optimal design of building greenery with integrated photovoltaic systems10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115698 ↗
21. Sih, G.C., Michopoulos, J.G., and Chou, S.C. (1986). Hygrothermoelasticity, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.10.1007/978-94-009-4418-3 ↗
22. A finite element computational scheme for transient and nonlinear coupling thermoelectric fields and the associated thermal stresses in thermoelectric materials10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.08.115 ↗
23. A finite element/finite difference scheme for the non-classical heat conduction and associated thermal stresses10.1016/j.finel.2011.09.010 ↗