Risk assessment of mold growth on engineered bamboo and its application

Abstract

Engineered bamboo, as a low-carbon biomass building material, is more prone to mold growth than traditional building materials. Mold not only threatens the structural integrity of buildings but also poses health risks to occupants. Current mold prediction models cannot accurately assess the risk of mold growth on engineered bamboo. This research first examined mold growth on three commonly used types of engineered bamboo under 20 different operational conditions. A prediction model was then developed and validated specifically for engineered bamboo. Results showed that bamboo surfaces became fully covered in mold at high relative humidity (RH ≥ 85 %). When RH was reduced from 95 % to 75 %, mold germination was delayed by about 70 days. A relative humidity of 60 % at temperatures between 15 °C and 35 °C was identified as a safe range for all engineered bamboo types. Additionally, the prediction model demonstrated high accuracy in forecasting mold risk. The findings also indicated that raising the air conditioning heating setpoint from 18 °C to 20 °C is more effective in reducing mold risk than lowering the cooling setpoint from 28 °C to 26 °C. This research offers a method to quantify indoor mold growth risks in engineered bamboo buildings under various climates, helping to optimize their design and operation.