Sustainability of the Swedish built environment towards climate change. Hygro-thermal effects and design criteria for buildings with respect to future climate scenarios

Paper in proceeding, 2007

The most of predictable climatic impacts on buildings can be successfully managed by an adequate construction. However, possible deviations in predicted loads and especially the long-term ones may change the building designed, e.g. expected response. For example, changes in snow and wind loads and short-time precipitation are of a great interest for constructions with large flat roofs. Climate projections from climate models point to a warmer climate with an intensified hydrological cycle in the future. Warmer summers lead to increased demand for cooling energy, while a warmer and more humid climate will possibly increase risks for moisture and mould-growth problems. This paper gives some outlines from a new research project on sustainability of Swedish built environment towards climate changes. The project will be conducted at Chalmers University of technology, Sweden, in cooperation with the climate research unit Rossby Centre at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute.