Open AccessCase study of fungal growth on newly cast concrete floors
Author(s) -
SM Kristensen,
AP Koch,
JK Sheard,
Ulf Thrane
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2069/1/012016
Subject(s) - moisture , apartment , environmental science , fungal growth , relative humidity , civil engineering , engineering , materials science , composite material , geography , meteorology , botany , biology
In several cases, the Danish Technological Institute has experienced widespread fungal growth on newly cast concrete floors, with a moisture barrier and floating wooden flooring. The reason for fungal growth is usually due to an inadequate drying period. Existing recommendations require that the relative humidity (RH) of air in equilibrium with the concrete, measured in the middle of the concrete, should not exceed 85-90% RH. In this study, six randomly picked apartments in a newly built apartment complex, were chosen for a case study of fungal growth and moisture on newly cast concrete. The study demonstrates that at least some pecies of fungi can grow very well on newly cast concrete if the surface is dusty and moist. The study also demonstrates that a few samples on the surface will often be representative for the whole floor. The study finds that there is a need to revise the existing guidelines for acceptable moisture content in the concrete before mounting the floor. This might have an impact on the entire building process and/or the design of the floor construction. The study also finds that there is a need for a guideline for measuring moisture and fungal growth on newly cast concrete floors.