Durability Control of Brickwork's Material Including Operation Parameters of the Building Enclosure

This paper aims to develop a method to determine material durability based on physicochemical laws that describe chemical corrosion in building enclosures. The subject of this research is studying the chemical corrosion in the material in building constructions. The object of this research is the material of building ceramics. Methods that the authors used for reaching this goal include developing a multi-staged process of material degradation of building ceramics, conduction of thermodynamic calculations, and conducting laboratory research on process kinetics. The results of kinetic researches are generalized based on a developed mathematical model. This comprehensive approach to solving the goal task allowed obtaining the following results: research methods of chemical processes in brick material and its plaster on humidification were developed. A mathematical model for evaluating material degradation in time with the changing climatic influence on enclosure was developed.

Vapour Diffusion Open Arctic Wall: A Comparison of Moisture Accumulation Potential Versus Other Cellulose Superinsulation Strategies

Superinsulation is becoming increasingly attractive in the construction of energy efficient new homes or energy retrofit projects. By increasing the thermal insulation inside walls, new possible unforeseen building durability issues arise that were otherwise not present during standard 2”x6” construction, as there is less potential for drying. The reduced drying is often attributed to using low permeance materials in the building enclosure. One method to combat the reduced drying potential is to use the highest permeable vapour diffusion open materials for all building enclosure components such as the “Arctic Wall”. The purpose of this study is to determine how the Arctic Wall performs in Fairbanks, Alaska in addition to other climates, and how it also compares with other common vapour diffusion open methods. The results of experimental simulation using WUFI 5.2 hygrothermal software have shown that all vapour diffusion open walls have a potential for condensation that is most dominated by the heating load across the climates that were tested. The Arctic Wall was found to be safe to use in all climates using the tested methods, but still poses a potential risk due to potential condensation due to air leakage. The results of this study have shown that the Arctic Wall performed on par with other vapour diffusion open strategies.

Vapour Diffusion Open Arctic Wall: A Comparison of Moisture Accumulation Potential Versus Other Cellulose Superinsulation Strategies

Superinsulation is becoming increasingly attractive in the construction of energy efficient new homes or energy retrofit projects. By increasing the thermal insulation inside walls, new possible unforeseen building durability issues arise that were otherwise not present during standard 2”x6” construction, as there is less potential for drying. The reduced drying is often attributed to using low permeance materials in the building enclosure. One method to combat the reduced drying potential is to use the highest permeable vapour diffusion open materials for all building enclosure components such as the “Arctic Wall”. The purpose of this study is to determine how the Arctic Wall performs in Fairbanks, Alaska in addition to other climates, and how it also compares with other common vapour diffusion open methods. The results of experimental simulation using WUFI 5.2 hygrothermal software have shown that all vapour diffusion open walls have a potential for condensation that is most dominated by the heating load across the climates that were tested. The Arctic Wall was found to be safe to use in all climates using the tested methods, but still poses a potential risk due to potential condensation due to air leakage. The results of this study have shown that the Arctic Wall performed on par with other vapour diffusion open strategies.

A hygrothermal comparative analysis of split-­Insulated, high-RSI wall assemblies in three Canadian climates

As consciousness grows regarding the negative impacts most buildings have on the Earth's environment, techniques to mitigate this impact must emerge in mainstream design practices. A calibrated hygrothermal simulation was conducted using WUFI® Pro to assess predicted hygrothermal performance of a variety of wall assemblies that are likely to enter into mainstream design practices. The results of these simulations reveal the importance of designing assemblies that are resilient to field conditions that introduce more severe hygrothermal loads than standard vapour diffusion. It is clear that in order for a wall assembly to perform adequately under moisture ingress conditions, it must be able to dry freely to at least one side of the building enclosure. High-RSI assemblies with exterior XPS exhibited far diminished resiliency to driving rain penetration as compared to those without exterior insulation and those with exterior mineral wool.

A hygrothermal comparative analysis of split-­Insulated, high-RSI wall assemblies in three Canadian climates

As consciousness grows regarding the negative impacts most buildings have on the Earth's environment, techniques to mitigate this impact must emerge in mainstream design practices. A calibrated hygrothermal simulation was conducted using WUFI® Pro to assess predicted hygrothermal performance of a variety of wall assemblies that are likely to enter into mainstream design practices. The results of these simulations reveal the importance of designing assemblies that are resilient to field conditions that introduce more severe hygrothermal loads than standard vapour diffusion. It is clear that in order for a wall assembly to perform adequately under moisture ingress conditions, it must be able to dry freely to at least one side of the building enclosure. High-RSI assemblies with exterior XPS exhibited far diminished resiliency to driving rain penetration as compared to those without exterior insulation and those with exterior mineral wool.

Exploring Acoustical Approach for Pre-screening of Window Assemblies Airtightness Level in an Existing Building

Air infiltration plays a significant role in designing and evaluating the performance and air quality of a building. Air leakage through an existing building enclosure can be detected by using experimental measurements, such as blower door test, tracer gas method, and transient approach. Estimating building air permeability through these methods can be expensive, time consuming, and weather reliant. The economical and environmental effect of air infiltration through building envelope requires higher level of research on locating air leakage locations and estimating air infiltration rate through new techniques, such as acoustical methods. In this research, a general review of airtightness detection and quantification method is presented and acoustical techniques are explored more in depth. Due to the significant impact of window systems on the total air infiltration through the building envelope, the correlation between the sound transmission loss and the air permeability through seven window assemblies in an existing building are explored to investigate acoustical method further. In addition, the acoustic air leakage detection method based on the standard ASTM E1186 is instigated. The results reveal the poor correlation between the airtightness of the windows and the acoustical analysis and investigations

Exploring Acoustical Approach for Pre-screening of Window Assemblies Airtightness Level in an Existing Building

Air infiltration plays a significant role in designing and evaluating the performance and air quality of a building. Air leakage through an existing building enclosure can be detected by using experimental measurements, such as blower door test, tracer gas method, and transient approach. Estimating building air permeability through these methods can be expensive, time consuming, and weather reliant. The economical and environmental effect of air infiltration through building envelope requires higher level of research on locating air leakage locations and estimating air infiltration rate through new techniques, such as acoustical methods. In this research, a general review of airtightness detection and quantification method is presented and acoustical techniques are explored more in depth. Due to the significant impact of window systems on the total air infiltration through the building envelope, the correlation between the sound transmission loss and the air permeability through seven window assemblies in an existing building are explored to investigate acoustical method further. In addition, the acoustic air leakage detection method based on the standard ASTM E1186 is instigated. The results reveal the poor correlation between the airtightness of the windows and the acoustical analysis and investigations

Impact of a compartmentalization and ventilation system retrofit strategy on energy use in high-rise residential buildings

A compartmentalization and in-suite ventilation system (ISVS) retrofit strategy was investigated for an existing high-rise residential building in Vancouver. Computer simulation using EnergyPlus™ was used to examine the impact of the proposed retrofit on heating energy and GHG emissions for the building’s original 1983 condition, and its current condition which incorporates a 2012 enclosure retrofit. Results show annual heating energy decreased by 51% and overall GHG emissions decreased by 29% for the proposed retrofit applied to the building in its current condition. When applied to the building in its original condition, heating energy decreased by 49% and overall GHG emissions decreased by 21%. The main benefit of the proposed retrofit, however, is improved effectiveness of the mechanical ventilation system. Because building enclosure air-tightness improvements can negatively impact air distribution in buildings with pressurized corridor ventilation systems, the proposed retrofit should be applied in combination with, or before, an enclosure retrofit.