scholarly journals Quantifying air leakage through party walls in Toronto semidetached and row-home dwellings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Todd
Keyword(s):  
Air Leakage ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Masonry Construction ◽  
Common Wall ◽  
Air Tightness ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Frame Construction ◽  
New Buildings ◽  
Adjacent Unit ◽  
Party Wall

This study contributes to the development of quantifying and understanding building air tightness as it relates to Toronto semi-detached and row homes, particularly party walls. While infiltration characteristics of single family detached homes have been widely developed and understood, the isolation of semi-detached and row home single family dwelling units is relatively unexplored. When quantifying air leakage in a building attached to an adjacent dwelling unit, air is drawn through the exterior envelope as well as the party wall (i.e. shared common wall). The purpose of the proposed testing method, guarded blower door testing, is to isolate air leakage through the party wall from the envelope. Currently the party wall is considered a fire-rated assembly but is not part of the air barrier system. Issues associated with party wall air leakage include spread of fire, indoor air quality, transfer of tobacco smoke between dwellings, and heat loss through the party to attic detail. Data collected on buildings constructed between 1890 and 1920 (Century buildings) has been compared to the data collected on buildings constructed between 2012 to 2017 (new buildings). Air leakage has been collected on twenty-six of Century semi-detached homes with solid masonry construction and twenty-one new semi-detached/row homes of lightweight wood frame construction. Each unit was tested independently and simultaneously, or “guarded”, with the adjacent unit, to pressure neutralize allowing for quantification of envelope and party wall air leakage. Party wall leakage was found to be similar to leakage through the exterior walls. The leakage accounted for 22% of the total infiltration in Century old buildings and 38% in Modern dwellings.

scholarly journals Quantifying air leakage through party walls in Toronto semidetached and row-home dwellings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Todd
Keyword(s):  
Air Leakage ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Masonry Construction ◽  
Common Wall ◽  
Air Tightness ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Frame Construction ◽  
New Buildings ◽  
Adjacent Unit ◽  
Party Wall

This study contributes to the development of quantifying and understanding building air tightness as it relates to Toronto semi-detached and row homes, particularly party walls. While infiltration characteristics of single family detached homes have been widely developed and understood, the isolation of semi-detached and row home single family dwelling units is relatively unexplored. When quantifying air leakage in a building attached to an adjacent dwelling unit, air is drawn through the exterior envelope as well as the party wall (i.e. shared common wall). The purpose of the proposed testing method, guarded blower door testing, is to isolate air leakage through the party wall from the envelope. Currently the party wall is considered a fire-rated assembly but is not part of the air barrier system. Issues associated with party wall air leakage include spread of fire, indoor air quality, transfer of tobacco smoke between dwellings, and heat loss through the party to attic detail. Data collected on buildings constructed between 1890 and 1920 (Century buildings) has been compared to the data collected on buildings constructed between 2012 to 2017 (new buildings). Air leakage has been collected on twenty-six of Century semi-detached homes with solid masonry construction and twenty-one new semi-detached/row homes of lightweight wood frame construction. Each unit was tested independently and simultaneously, or “guarded”, with the adjacent unit, to pressure neutralize allowing for quantification of envelope and party wall air leakage. Party wall leakage was found to be similar to leakage through the exterior walls. The leakage accounted for 22% of the total infiltration in Century old buildings and 38% in Modern dwellings.

scholarly journals The Effect of Repeated Moisture Cycles on the Air Tightness of Traditional Clamped Vapour Barrier Joints

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Stig Geving ◽  
Øyvind Norvik ◽  
Lars Gullbrekken
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Barrier Layer ◽  
Adhesive Tape ◽  
Air Leakage ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Pressure Tests ◽  
Air Tightness ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Structural Adhesive ◽  
Center Distance

In this study it has been investigated whether and to what extent, repeated moisture cycles affect the airleakage through clamped overlap joints in the vapour barrier layer. Use of clamped joints is a traditionalway to make airtight joints in the wind- and vapour barrier used in wood frame walls in Norway and othercountries. A laboratory test has been carried out, with a total of 63 pressure tests, being carried out on 9 testsamples, consisting of overlap joints of 0.15 mm polyethylene film clamped between a wooden batten andstud. Each sample was tested seven times after repeated drying and humidification, where the moisturevalues of the sub-cycles were chosen to represent the annual variations of indoor relative humidity.The laboratory test materials were mounted with machine nails with various center spacing (150 mm,300 mm and 450 mm). The overlap joints of the vapour barrier were in the end of the test sealed withadhesive tape, revealing to what extent this over a longer period of time will be beneficial.The results showed that the first moisture cycle (drying) resulted in significant increase of air leakage forall the sample variants. Throughout the moisture cycles, a further strong leakage development for centerspacing 450 mm was observed, which was less for 300 mm, and non-existent for 150 mm. The gain ofusing structural adhesive tape was found to largely depend on the level of perforation resulting from thenails and their center distance. Adhesive tape on the joints resulted in the greatest reduction in leakagenumbers where the center distance between the nails was high, i.e. the reduction was 58% for centerdistance 450 mm. However, with shorter center distance the use of tape only decreased the air leakagebetween 22-39%, revealing the fact that a large part of the joint leakage is through the nail perforations.

Waste Prevention in the Prefabricated Building Sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 887 ◽  
pp. 361-368
Author(s):  
Fritz Kleemann ◽  
Dominik Laner ◽  
David Laner
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Waste Prevention ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Building Components ◽  
Use Phase ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Frame Construction ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

The present study investigates waste generation during the production and erection phase of a prefabricated single family house in Austria as a basis for identifying waste prevention potentials. Therefore, the material composition of a case study building (wood frame construction) is compared to waste generated during production and erection. In order to assess the whole life cycle of prefabricated buildings the use phase as well as the end-of-life phase are also considered. Examples are given to show how different measures can impact the generation of waste directly and indirectly. The results show that production and erection are already very efficient with regard to waste generation and prevention potentials mainly exist in further offcut reduction and optimization in packaging. The use phase and the end-of-life of the building are more complex to investigate and waste prevention potentials are less tangible. However, important measures for waste reduction are related to the easy exchangeability of building components as well as their reusability. The lifetime extension of the building and building components, which can be achieved through proper operation and maintenance, can be considered a key issue for preventing waste in the building sector.

Experimental evaluation of an orthotropic, monolithic, modular wooden-dome structural system

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1163-1176
Author(s):  
Mehdi H.K. Kharrazi ◽  
Salah Eldeib ◽  
Helmut G.L. Prion
Keyword(s):  
Load Resistance ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Structural Performance ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Construction Time ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
Load Tests ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Frame Construction

Canadian Wooden Dome (CWD) is an innovative orthotropic, monolithic modular sectional building system. The main frame of these structures is built using mill trim ends that are normally chipped or used for finger-jointing. The structure, in comparison to conventional wood-frame single-family housing, has a rapid manufacturing process, and quick, on-site assembly attempts to reduce overall construction time. Presented with these advantages and the uniqueness of the wooden-dome system, a technical study was initiated to investigate the structural performance of the modular wooden dome in earthquake-prone areas and to examine its load resistance to heavy snow. This paper describes the results from a series of static and dynamic load tests conducted on the CWD as part of this study. The test results generally indicated that based on the structural performance of the CWD under static and dynamic loads, the CWD could be an alternative to the conventional wood-frame construction system. The test results are then compared with those obtained from the tests conducted on conventional single-family wood-frame houses as part of the Earthquake 99 (EQ-99) Woodframe House Project at The University of British Columbia. The seismic performance of the CWD was superior to that of the nonengineered housing system and comparable to that of the engineered wood-frame housing system.

Lateral Load Performance of Panelized Wood I-Joist Floor Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-438
Author(s):  
Sigong Zhang ◽  
Ying Hei Chui ◽  
David Joo
Keyword(s):  
Load Transfer ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Construction Time ◽  
Plane Shear ◽  
Floor Systems ◽  
Diaphragm Action ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Strength And Stiffness ◽  
Frame Construction

Abstract Panelized light wood frame construction is becoming more popular due to the faster construction time and shortage of onsite skilled labor. To use light wood frame panels effectively in panelized floor systems, panel-to-panel joints must be fastened adequately to allow load transfer between panels. They must also possess in-plane shear strength and stiffness comparable to stick-built, staggered-sheathed assemblies. This study was designed to develop efficient and effective panel-to-panel joints for connecting adjacent floor panels built with wood I-joists and evaluate the efficiency of the joints in achieving diaphragm action. At first, a number of these panel-to-panel joints were tested in the laboratory using a small-scale diaphragm test setup to determine their efficiency in transferring in-plane forces between panels. Test results showed that a small decrease in in-plane stiffness was expected for the most effective joints, but their strengths were significantly higher than at the same location in a conventional site-built floor diaphragm. The presence of blockings and use of two-row nailing were found to considerably improve stiffness and strength. These features can be used to mitigate the potential reduction in mechanical performance of panelized floor construction, in comparison with the site-built wood I-joist floor.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the deep renovation of a single-family building – a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 246 ◽  
pp. 05004
Author(s):  
Triinu Bergmann ◽  
Aime Ruus ◽  
Kristo Kalbe ◽  
Mihkel Kiviste ◽  
Jiri Tintera
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Resource Efficiency ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Air Leakage ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Thermal Transmittance ◽  
Family Building

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) of the EU states that Each Member State shall establish a long-term renovation strategy to support the renovation of building stock into a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050. The motive for the study was the dissatisfaction of inhabitants of a single-family building about the heating costs and thermal discomfort. In this study both the emotional and resource efficiency aspects were considered. The structures and technical systems of the studied small dwelling are typical of representing single-family buildings of the Estonian building stock. The initial purpose was to improve the energy efficiency of a building while preserving the existing load bearing structures as much as possible. The research questions were: 1) what the situation before the renovation was, 2) what solutions can be used, 3) making decisions, whether to renovate or demolish. Calculations were carried out – the thermal transmittance of the envelope structures was calculated based on the construction information, and the linear thermal transmittance of geometrical thermal bridges was calculated by using the software Therm. Field tests performed - the thermography and the air leakage of the building was found by standard blower-door test. Specific air leakage rate qE50=11.1 m3/(hm2) was estimated. A renovation solution was offered considering the need for extra insulation and airtightness. The dwelling energy performance indicator was reduced from the existing 279 kWh/(m2y) to 136 kWh/(m2y). For significant energy efficiency improvement deep renovation measures must be used and the question was whether it is rational. Before making the final decision, several aspects have to be considered: 1) emotional – the demolition or renovation of somebody’s home, 2) environmental aspects and resource-efficiency – the possibilities of the reuse of materials.

scholarly journals Durability of traditional clamped joints in the vapour barrier layer: experimental and numerical analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 996-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Gullbrekken ◽  
Klodian Gradeci ◽  
Øyvind Norvik ◽  
Petra Rüther ◽  
Stig Geving
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Air Leakage ◽  
Building Envelopes ◽  
Frame Buildings ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Numerical Estimations

Clamped joints of wood frame buildings are a traditional way in Norway to attain airtight joints for the air and vapour barrier. There are numerous defects registered in the SINTEF Building Defects Archive related to air leakage through the vapour barrier, on one hand, and stricter requirements for reduced energy consumption, on the other hand, question today’s efficacy of these type of joints. This study investigates the durability of clamped joints by studying how the airtightness is affected by several drying and wetting cycles. Experimental work is carried out to measure air leakage rates, which in turn, are used to evaluate their impact on the airtightness of two different constructions by numerical estimations. Results show that the air leakage rates are increased significantly due to transient climatic conditions. Clamped joints may no longer provide airtight building envelopes given the stricter requirements for energy consumption and implications of climate change. A more promising and robust alternative is the use of self-adhesive tapes.

scholarly journals On the feasibility of watertight face-sealed window-wall interfaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 282 ◽  
pp. 02015
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Van Linden ◽  
Nathan Van Den Bossche
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Full Scale Test ◽  
Structural Insulated Panels ◽  
Building Components ◽  
Scale Test ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Frame Construction

Watertightness is still a major source of concern in the performance of the building envelope. Even very small deficiencies can cause a significant amount of water leakage which may result in structural degradation or malfunctioning of the insulation. The risk of water infiltration is highest at joints between different building components and in particular at the window-wall interface due to the complexity of these joints. This paper focuses on the performance of different solutions to ensure the watertightness of the window-wall interface, e.g. self-adhesive foils, liquid applied coatings, prefabricated frames, self-expanding sealing strips. The performance of these solutions is evaluated for different wall assemblies, i.e. ETICS, masonry, structural insulated panels and wood-frame construction. Laboratory experiments were conducted on a full-scale test setup with a window of 1,01 m high and 0,56 m wide. Test results showed that it is not evident to obtain watertight face-sealed window-wall interfaces without an additional airtight layer or drainage possibilities. Water ingress was often recorded at lower pressure differences.

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