characterization of the hygrothermal performance of wall systems

84
http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Characterization of the hygrothermal performance of wall systems IRC-ORAL-854 Maref, W.; Manning, M.; Rousseau, M.; Lei, W. A version of this document is published in / Une version de ce document se trouve dans: ASHRAE Seminar 29 – Moisture Management Concerns in Commercial and Residential Buildings, New York, USA, Jan. 21, 2008, pp. 1-83 The material in this document is covered by the provisions of the Copyright Act, by Canadian laws, policies, regulations and international agreements. Such provisions serve to identify the information source and, in specific instances, to prohibit reproduction of materials without written permission. For more information visit http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showtdm/cs/C-42 Les renseignements dans ce document sont protégés par la Loi sur le droit d'auteur, par les lois, les politiques et les règlements du Canada et des accords internationaux. Ces dispositions permettent d'identifier la source de l'information et, dans certains cas, d'interdire la copie de documents sans permission écrite. Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements : http://lois.justice.gc.ca/fr/showtdm/cs/C-42

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C h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n o f t h e h y g r o t h e r m a l p e r f o r m a n c e o f w a l l s y s t e m s

I R C - O R A L - 8 5 4

M a r e f , W . ; M a n n i n g , M . ; R o u s s e a u , M . ; L e i , W .

A version of this document is published in / Une version de ce document se trouve dans: ASHRAE Seminar 29 – Moisture Management Concerns in Commercial and Residential Buildings, New York, USA, Jan. 21, 2008, pp. 1-83

The material in this document is covered by the provisions of the Copyright Act, by Canadian laws, policies, regulations and international agreements. Such provisions serve to identify the information source and, in specific instances, to prohibit reproduction of materials without written permission. For more information visit http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showtdm/cs/C-42

Les renseignements dans ce document sont protégés par la Loi sur le droit d'auteur, par les lois, les politiques et les règlements du Canada et des accords internationaux. Ces dispositions permettent d'identifier la source de l'information et, dans certains cas, d'interdire la copie de documents sans permission écrite. Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements :

http://lois.justice.gc.ca/fr/showtdm/cs/C-42

Characterization of the Hygrothermal Performance of Wall Systems

W. Maref, M. Manning , M. Rousseau & W. Lei

ASHRAE Seminar 29- Moisture Management Concerns in Commercial and Residential Buildings, New York, USA, January 21, 2008

Slide 2

Team

K. Abdulghani W. Lei M. Manning W. Maref

M. Nicholls T. Aubin M. Rousseau R. Berzins

Slide 3

Outline

• Background• Field Exposure of Wall Facility (FEWF)-BES• Results and Discussion• Summary• Future Work

Slide 4

Ventilation and Wall Research House Facility

2. FIELD EXPOSURE OF WALL FACILITY –(FEWF) BES

Study & compare traditional & innovative BE strategies

1. VENTILATION, HEATING AND COOLING FACILITY- IE

Study & compare traditional & innovative ventilation, heating & cooling strategies

Slide 5

Field Exposure of Wall Facility (FEWF)

Objectives

– Compare performance of different side-by-side wall assemblies – improve understanding of HAM response of wall and window

assemblies exposed to naturally occurring climate loads of Ottawa as well as to indoor environment loads of T, RH and P defined by occupancy and HVAC systems.

– Research the interaction between the building envelope and the indoor environment

– Complement IRC’s controlled laboratory test and modeling simulations

Slide 6

Field Exposure of Wall Facility (FEWF)

• Experimental Approach

– Year 1 (2006-2007) Commissioned the facility by monitoring three identical test specimens of traditional construction (2x6) through Fall, Winter and Spring.

– Year 2 (2007-2008) Examine the effect of exterior insulation retrofit on the hygrothermal response of wood-frame walls. This project is jointly funded with CMHC and NRCan

– Year 3 and beyond Expand the program in collaboration with Indoor Environment to examine whole house performance issues.

Slide 7

South facade

Instred w

Instrumented window

Instrumented window

Test frame designed to provide the largest possible free bay for placement of several test specimens

Max. 19 ft available

Stack casing location

North facade

West facade

Slide 8

Field Exposure of Walls Facility (FEWF)

Slide 9

Slide 10

DETEC_9

DETEC_11

T_10

T_8

16.0T_9

RHT_7

DETEC_14DETEC_13

DETEC_12

MP_12.0

DETEC_10

T_7 RHT_6

15.0

2.0

20.0 17.0

3.0

LAYER 4 - Interior Face of OSB

HF_1(W2 only)

JW_3

DETEC Thermistor

Heat Flux

Moisture Pin

WirelessRelative Humidity

Slide 11

14.0

7.0DETEC_17

DETEC_16

MP_3

LAYER 5 - Stud Cavity

DETEC_15

MP_2

HF_2 (W2 only)

Moisture Pin

Slide 12

Slide 13

RHT_9

15.0

T_13 T_14

17.0

T_11 RHT_8 T_12

LAYER 6 - Interior Face of Insulation & Stud Cavity (Exterior side of Vapour Barrier)

P_3 (Low Pressure)

7.3

10.0

HF_3(W2 only)

JW_4

Delta Pressure

Slide 14

LAYER 7 - Interior Face of Drywall

17.0

15.0

T_18T_17

RHT_10 (air)

T_16T_15

7.0

T_19 (W2 and W3 only)

Thermocouple

Slide 15

W3W2 W1

Slide 16

Slide 17

Slide 18

Experimental Approach

• Challenging the wall experimental begins:– Stage 1- Create air leakage path and monitor under

naturally occurring int. and ext. conditions on two of three specimens (1 week)

Slide 19

DrywallW1 W2 W3

Slide 20

Air Leakage Path

Slide 21

• Challenging the wall experimental begins:– Stage 1- Create air leakage path and monitor under

naturally occurring int. and ext. conditions on two of three specimens (1 week)

– Stage 2- Increase indoor RH to 70% and induce 5 Pa positive pressure while air leak is present in two specimens, for a certain period of time

Slide 22

DrywallW1 W2 W3

Slide 23

Conditioning Chamber on the Room Side

W1 W2 W3

Slide 24

Wall specimen

EXT.INT.

Conditioning chamber

Moisture-laden air exfiltration

Slide 25

• Challenging the wall experimental begins:– Stage 1- Create air leakage path and monitor under

naturally occurring int. and ext. conditions on two of three specimens (1 week)

– Stage 2- Increase indoor RH to 70% and induce 5 Pa positive pressure while air leak is present in two specimens, for a certain period of time

– Stage 3- Return to naturally occurring conditions to monitor drying. Disassemble the indoor chamber

Slide 26

Results

Slide 27

FEWF Chamber RH%, Pressure Vs Time

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8028

-Jan

-07

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

RH(%

), P(

Pa)

RH, %

Pressure, Pa

W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

W5 W W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

6 mm opening 3 mm opening

Incomplete data

Slide 28

FEWF Chamber RH%, Pressure Vs Time

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8028

-Jan

-07

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

RH(%

), P(

Pa)

RH, %

Pressure, Pa

W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

W5 W W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

6 mm opening 3 mm opening

Incomplete data

Condition A• 0 Pa pressure• 70% RH

• No opening

Slide 29

FEWF Chamber RH%, Pressure Vs Time

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8028

-Jan

-07

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

RH(%

), P(

Pa)

RH, %

Pressure, Pa

W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

W5 W W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

6 mm opening 3 mm opening

Incomplete data

Condition B• 5 Pa pressure• 50% RH

• 6 mm opening

Slide 30

FEWF Chamber RH%, Pressure Vs Time

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8028

-Jan

-07

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

RH(%

), P(

Pa)

RH, %

Pressure, Pa

W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

W5 W W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

6 mm opening 3 mm opening

Incomplete data

Condition C• 5 Pa pressure• 30% RH

• 3 mm opening

Slide 31

FEWF Chamber RH%, Pressure Vs Time

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8028

-Jan

-07

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

RH(%

), P(

Pa)

RH, %

Pressure, Pa

W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

W5 W W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16

6 mm opening 3 mm opening

Incomplete data

Condition D• 0 Pa pressure• 50% RH

• 3 mm opening

Slide 32

Slit in OSB

Slide 33

Diagram for Moisture Detection Tape Locations on the interior of the OSB

Slit in OSB

Slide 34

Diagram for Moisture Detection Tape Locations in the Stud Cavity

Slide 35

Exterior

Interior

Vinyl SidingSheathing MembraneOSB

Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation

Vapour BarrierDrywall

Material

P1 P2 P3 P Chamber

Reference for all Pressure Sensors: Room Interior

Pressure Tap Locations

+ve pressure = pressure at the tap location is higher than the pressure in the room

Slide 36

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

22-F

eb-0

7

23-F

eb-0

7

24-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

26-F

eb-0

7

27-F

eb-0

7

28-F

eb-0

7

1-M

ar-0

7

2-M

ar-0

7

3-M

ar-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

5-M

ar-0

7

6-M

ar-0

7

7-M

ar-0

7

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExterior

P2 - Pressurebehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Wind speed data is from the Ottawa Airport

Slide 37

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

22-F

eb-0

7

23-F

eb-0

7

24-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

26-F

eb-0

7

27-F

eb-0

7

28-F

eb-0

7

1-M

ar-0

7

2-M

ar-0

7

3-M

ar-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

5-M

ar-0

7

6-M

ar-0

7

7-M

ar-0

7

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExterior

P2 - Pressurebehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Wind from the West causes +ve pressures and infiltration

Slide 38

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

22-F

eb-0

7

23-F

eb-0

7

24-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

26-F

eb-0

7

27-F

eb-0

7

28-F

eb-0

7

1-M

ar-0

7

2-M

ar-0

7

3-M

ar-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

5-M

ar-0

7

6-M

ar-0

7

7-M

ar-0

7

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExterior

P2 - Pressurebehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Wind from the East causes –ve pressures and exfiltration

Slide 39

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

22-F

eb-0

7

23-F

eb-0

7

24-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

26-F

eb-0

7

27-F

eb-0

7

28-F

eb-0

7

1-M

ar-0

7

2-M

ar-0

7

3-M

ar-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

5-M

ar-0

7

6-M

ar-0

7

7-M

ar-0

7

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExterior

P2 - Pressurebehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

When the chamber is pressurized, the exfiltration condition is forced (chamber and stud cavity pressure is higher than exterior pressure)

Slide 40

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

22-F

eb-0

7

23-F

eb-0

7

24-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

26-F

eb-0

7

27-F

eb-0

7

28-F

eb-0

7

1-M

ar-0

7

2-M

ar-0

7

3-M

ar-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

5-M

ar-0

7

6-M

ar-0

7

7-M

ar-0

7

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExterior

P2 - Pressurebehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

When the chamber is pressurized, the exfiltration condition is forced (chamber and stud cavity pressure is higher than exterior pressure)

Except when +ve pressures from North and West winds negate the effect.

Slide 41

Conditions

Condition Pressure RH Opening Week

A 0 Pa 70% None 7

B 5 Pa 50% 6 mm 3 days in week 8

(22 to 24 Feb)

C 5 Pa ~30% 3 mm 2 days in week 11(16 to 17 Mar)

D 0 Pa 50% 3 mm 15

All data presented are averaged over the test period indicated above

Slide 42

Moisture Content - Wall 2 Interior OSB

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

28-J

an-0

7

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

Moi

stur

e Co

nten

t (%

)

209MC210MC211MC212MC213MC214MC

Slit in OSB

Slide 43

Moisture Content - Wall 2 Interior OSB

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%28

-Jan

-07

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

Moi

stur

e Co

nten

t (%

)

212MC

Slit in OSB

Slide 44

Moisture Content - Wall 2 Stud Cavity

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

28-J

an-0

7

4-Fe

b-07

11-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

25-F

eb-0

7

4-M

ar-0

7

11-M

ar-0

7

18-M

ar-0

7

25-M

ar-0

7

1-Ap

r-07

8-Ap

r-07

15-A

pr-0

7

22-A

pr-0

7

Date and Time

Moi

stur

e Co

nten

t (%

) 217MC

Slide 45

Interior / Intérieur

Exterior / Extérieur

6

7

1

5

23

4

Layer

Plastic Air/Vapour BarrierDrywall

Vinyl SidingSheathing Membrane

Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation

OSB

Material

Wall 2 Horizontal Cross Section

-10.7 67

63-10.559-9.181-7.3

1519.5

7122.5

-9.4 -8.8-3.3 -6.6

17.2 17.620.2 20.9

Week 07 11-Feb-07

Condition A: 0 Pa, 70% RH, no opening

• Despite the high humidity on the interior of the room (71%), the humidity behind the air/vapour barrier is low, 15%

• The location with the highest RH is the interior of the OSB, at ~81% - still below dewpoint

T RHT TInterior

Exterior

Slide 46

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4

Tem

pera

ture

(°C) W2 T

W3 T

DewPoint of Room Air

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

• The dewpoint of room air is ~17°C, a condition met by temperatures partway through the insulation

• The interior of the wall remains dry due to being well sealed

Condition A: 0 Pa, 70% RH, no opening

Slide 47

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 14

Hum

idity

Rat

io (g

v/kg

da)

W1 humidity ratio

W2 humidity ratio

W3 humidity ratio

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

• A large drop in the moisture content of the air occurs across the vapour barrier

• Air moisture content on the exterior side of the vapour barrier is nearly identical to the reference wall – with no added indoor humidity loads

Condition A: 0 Pa, 70% RH, no opening

Slide 48

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

11-F

eb-0

7

12-F

eb-0

7

13-F

eb-0

7

14-F

eb-0

7

15-F

eb-0

7

16-F

eb-0

7

17-F

eb-0

7

18-F

eb-0

7

19-F

eb-0

7Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExteriorP2 - PressureBehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition A: 0 Pa, 70% RH, no opening

With no opening, the stud cavity pressure follows the exterior pressure closely

Slide 49

FEWF Wall 2 - Interior of OSB - Layer 4 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

2/10/070:00

2/11/070:00

2/12/070:00

2/13/070:00

2/14/070:00

2/15/070:00

2/16/070:00

2/17/070:00

2/18/070:00

2/19/070:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

⎝)

209L

210L

211L

212L

213L

214L

11-Feb-07

Res

ista

nce

(kΩ

)Condition A: 0 Pa, 70% RH, no opening

• The interior surface of the OSB remains dry at all moisture detection tape locations

Slit in OSB

Slide 50

Interior / Intérieur

Exterior / Extérieur

6

7

1

5

23

4

Layer

Plastic Air/Vapour BarrierDrywall

Vinyl SidingSheathing Membrane

Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation

OSB

Material

Wall 2 Horizontal Cross Section

-7.0 66

63-6.562-5.0100-3.2

3020.4

4923.0

-5.4 -5.2-0.1 -2.1

18.4 18.721.0 21.3

7.42

6.67

7.22

Week 08 22-Feb-07

Interior

Exterior

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

• The interior of the room is at 49% RH, the humidity behind the air/vapour barrier is 30% RH – indicating that moisture is being introduced through the opening

• The location with the highest RH is the interior of the OSB, at 100% - condensation would be expected

T RHT T

Slide 51

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 14Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

W2 T

W3 T

Dewpoint of Room Air

vinyl

sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

• The dewpoint of room air is ~12°C, a condition met by temperatures at the middle of the insulation

• The opening in the vapour barrier allows moisture to enter the cavity, condensation is expected anywhere to the exterior of the insulation

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

Slide 52

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 14

Hum

idity

Rat

io (g

v/kg

da)

W1 humidity ratio

W2 humidity ratio

W3 humidity ratio

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

• The pressure and opening allow the high RH to enter the interior of the wall

• Air moisture content on the exterior side of the vapour barrier is higher than the reference wall –with no added indoor humidity loads

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

Slide 53

FEWF Wall 2 - Interior of OSB - Layer 4 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

2/23/0712:00

2/23/0718:00

2/24/07 0:00 2/24/07 6:00 2/24/0712:00

2/24/0718:00

2/25/07 0:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

⎠)

209L

210L

211L

212L

213L

214L

Res

ista

nce

(kΩ

)Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

The interior surface of the OSB is wet, particularly at the base of the wall

Low resistance indicates the presence of liquid

Slit in OSB

Drying

Wetting

Wetting

Slide 54

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

23-Feb-0712:00

23-Feb-0718:00

24-Feb-070:00

24-Feb-076:00

24-Feb-0712:00

24-Feb-0718:00

25-Feb-070:00

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h) P1 - Pressure at

Exterior

P2 - PressureBehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

For a large portion of the Condition B period, wind pressure balanced the applied 5 Pa chamber pressure.

Slide 55

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

23-Feb-0712:00

23-Feb-0718:00

24-Feb-070:00

24-Feb-076:00

24-Feb-0712:00

24-Feb-0718:00

25-Feb-070:00

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h) P1 - Pressure at

Exterior

P2 - PressureBehind Cladding

P3 - Pressure inStud Cavity

Chamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

In two instances, the exterior pressure dropped below the chamber pressure, allowing exfiltration, and corresponding to the wetting patterns

Slide 56

Moisture Content - Wall 2 Interior OSB

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

2/23/07 12:00 2/23/07 18:00 2/24/07 0:00 2/24/07 6:00 2/24/07 12:00 2/24/07 18:00 2/25/07 0:00

Date and Time

Moi

stur

e Co

nten

t (%

)

209MC210MC211MC212MC213MC214MC

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

Slit in OSB

Slide 57

FEWF Wall 2 - Stud - Layer 5 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

2/23/0712:00

2/23/0718:00

2/24/07 0:00 2/24/07 6:00 2/24/0712:00

2/24/0718:00

2/25/07 0:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

¬)

215L

216L

217L

Res

ista

nce

(kΩ

)Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

Low resistance indicates the presence of liquid at the base of the stud cavity

Slide 58

Condition B: 5 Pa, 50% RH, 6mm opening

Moisture Content - Wall 2 Stud Cavity

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

2/23/07 12:00 2/23/07 18:00 2/24/07 0:00 2/24/07 6:00 2/24/07 12:00 2/24/07 18:00 2/25/07 0:00

Date and Time

Moi

stur

e Co

nten

t (%

)

215L216L217L

Slide 59

Results

After

Before

Slide 60

If you leave it too wet for too long, then….

Slide 61

Interior / Intérieur

Exterior / Extérieur

6

7

1

5

23

4

Layer

Plastic Air/Vapour BarrierDrywall

Vinyl SidingSheathing Membrane

Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation

OSB

Material

Wall 2 Horizontal Cross Section

-5.1 70

65-4.367-2.9100-0.9

2920.8

2723.0

-3.1 -3.01.5 0.3

18.8 19.321.2 21.4

6.91

6.20

6.72

Week 11 16-Mar-07

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

• The interior of the room is at 27% RH, the humidity behind the air/vapour barrier is 29% RH – indicating that moisture is being introduced through the opening

• The location with the highest RH is the interior of the OSB, at 100% - condensation would be expected

Interior

Exterior

T RHT T

Slide 62

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 2 4 6 8 10 1 2 1 4Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

W2 T

W3 T

Dewpoint of Room Air

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OS

B

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

•The dewpoint of room air is ~4°C, a condition met by temperatures towards the outside of the insulation

• The opening in the vapour barrier allows moisture to enter the cavity, condensation is expected at the OSB

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

Slide 63

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 14

Hum

idity

Rat

io (g

v/kg

da)

W1 humidity ratio

W2 humidity ratio

W3 humidity ratio

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

• The pressure and opening allow the humidity to enter the interior of the wall

• Air moisture content on the exterior side of the vapour barrier is higher than the reference wall –with no added indoor humidity loads

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

Slide 64

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

16-Mar-070:00

16-Mar-076:00

16-Mar-0712:00

16-Mar-0718:00

17-Mar-070:00

17-Mar-076:00

17-Mar-0712:00

17-Mar-0718:00

18-Mar-070:00

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExteriorP2 - PressureBehind CladdingP3 - Pressure inStud CavityChamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

East winds for the majority of Condition C, kept exterior pressures low and allowed the Chamber and Stud Cavity Pressures to remain above the Exterior Pressure, creating an exfiltration condition

Slide 65

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

16-Mar-070:00

16-Mar-076:00

16-Mar-0712:00

16-Mar-0718:00

17-Mar-070:00

17-Mar-076:00

17-Mar-0712:00

17-Mar-0718:00

18-Mar-070:00

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExteriorP2 - PressureBehind CladdingP3 - Pressure inStud CavityChamber Pressure

N wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

A change in wind direction towards the end of Condition C brought exterior pressure conditions close to stud cavity and chamber pressure.

Slide 66

FEWF Wall 2 - Interior of OSB - Layer 4 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

3/16/070:00

3/16/076:00

3/16/0712:00

3/16/0718:00

3/17/070:00

3/17/076:00

3/17/0712:00

3/17/0718:00

3/18/070:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

)

209L

210L

211L

212L

213L

214L

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

The interior surface of the OSB is wet, particularly at the base of the wall

Res

ista

nce

(kΩ

)

Slit in OSB

Slide 67

FEWF Wall 2 - Stud - Layer 5 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

3/16/070:00

3/16/076:00

3/16/0712:00

3/16/0718:00

3/17/070:00

3/17/076:00

3/17/0712:00

3/17/0718:00

3/18/070:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

)

215L

216L

217L

Condition C: 5 Pa, 30% RH, 3mm opening

Low resistance indicates the presence of liquid at the base of the stud cavity

Res

ista

nce

(kΩ

)

Slide 68

Interior / Intérieur

Exterior / Extérieur

6

7

1

5

23

4

Layer

Plastic Air/Vapour BarrierDrywall

Vinyl SidingSheathing Membrane

Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation

OSB

Material

Wall 2 Horizontal Cross Section

2.6 75

692.8673.5764.6

2721.0

5023.0

3.0 3.36.5 4.6

19.3 19.421.3 21.5

5.15

4.59

5.08

Week 15 08-Apr-07

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm opening

• The interior of the room is at 50% RH, the humidity behind the air/vapour barrier is 27% RH

•The location with the highest RH is the interior of the OSB, at 76% (likely due to the lack of a pressure driving force for exfiltration, and warmer exterior temperatures)

Interior

Exterior

T RHT T

Slide 69

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4

Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

W2 T

W3 T

Dewpoint of Room Air

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s in

sula

tion

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

•The dewpoint of room air is ~12°C, a condition met by temperatures at the middle of the insulation

•Condensation is expected at the OSB, however, measurements indicate that room air is not exfiltrating as much as in Conditions B and C

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm opening

Slide 70

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 14

Hum

idity

Rat

io (g

v/kg

da)

W1 humidity ratio

W2 humidity ratio

W3 humidity ratio

viny

l sid

ing

WR

B

OSB

stud

cav

ity w

ith

fiber

glas

s

air /

vap

our b

arrie

rdr

ywal

l

• While the air moisture content on the exterior side of the vapour barrier is higher than the reference wall, the effect is not as pronounced as Conditions B and C –where interior pressure was applied

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm opening

Slide 71

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

8-Apr-07 9-Apr-07 10-Apr-07 11-Apr-07 12-Apr-07 13-Apr-07 14-Apr-07 15-Apr-07

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExteriorP2 - PressureBehind CladdingP3 - Pressure inStud CavityChamberPressureN wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm opening

West winds dominate at the beginning and end of Condition D, creating conditions for infiltration

Slide 72

Pressure, Wind speed and direction

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

8-Apr-07 9-Apr-07 10-Apr-07 11-Apr-07 12-Apr-07 13-Apr-07 14-Apr-07 15-Apr-07

Date and Time

Pres

sure

(Pa)

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Win

d sp

eed

(km

/h)

P1 - Pressure atExteriorP2 - PressureBehind CladdingP3 - Pressure inStud CavityChamberPressureN wind

E wind

S wind

W wind

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm opening

East winds cause the exterior pressure to be below the interior pressure, resulting in exfiltration conditions

Slide 73

FEWF Wall 2 - Interior of OSB - Layer 4 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

4/8/070:00

4/9/070:00

4/10/070:00

4/11/070:00

4/12/070:00

4/13/070:00

4/14/070:00

4/15/070:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

)

209L

210L

211L

212L

213L

214L

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm opening

The interior surface of the OSB is dry at all measured locations

Res

ista

nce

(kΩ

)

Slit in OSB

Slide 74

FEWF Wall 2 - Stud - Layer 5 - Liquid

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

4/8/070:00

4/9/070:00

4/10/070:00

4/11/070:00

4/12/070:00

4/13/070:00

4/14/070:00

4/15/070:00

Date and Time

Resi

stan

ce (k

)

215L

216L

217L

Condition D: 0 Pa, 50% RH, 3mm openingR

esis

tanc

e (kΩ

)

The surface of the stud cavity is dry

Slide 75

SUMMARY

• We looked at risk of condensation due to exfiltration (wetting) combined with infiltration (drying)

• Looked at the importance of wind speed and directions and orientation of the envelope.

• Wind from West causes +ve pressures and infiltration• Wind from East causes –ve pressures and exfiltration• When the chamber is pressurized the exfiltration cdt is forced

(Chamber & Stud cavity pressure is higher than ext pressure) except when +ve from N & W winds negate the effect.

• If we have to look for long time period the exfiltration cdt, we have to pressurized the chamber more than 35 Pa.

• Experimental results will be used to benchmark the HAM hygIRC 1D.

Slide 76

Plans for this Winter and Spring

• Context:– Focus on two energy retrofit scenarios for

exterior walls• The question to investigate:

– What is the effect of the properties of thermal insulation installed on the exterior of an existing R20 wall on the wetting and drying potential of that assembly, particularly when air leakage is involved?

Slide 77

Adding thermal insulation on the exterior of an insulated stud cavity wall can …

• Reduce thermal bridging at the framing ☺• Raise the temperature of that cavity, during cold

weather, resulting in lower potential for condensation in stud cavity ☺

• Reduce the drying potential to the exterior ☹• Promote mould growth in a wet cavity as the

cavity stays warmer over longer periods of the year ☹

Slide 78

What Happens Depends On:

• Vapour permeance and air permeance of added insulation layer

• R value of the external layers in relation to the R value of the internal layers

• Methods of installation for the insulation and siding layers

• Air leakage rates & paths (deficiencies, gaps, cracks unsealed openings in the assembly)

• Indoor conditions of RH, T and P• Outdoor climate• Other factors! e.g. rain penetration bypassing the 1st

and 2nd line of protection

Slide 79

Exterior Interior

R20 2X6 typical

construction

Addition of a Low Air and Vapour Permeance

Insulation

Addition of a High Air and Vapour Permeance Insulation

& sheathing membrane

The 3 Test Specimens – Vertical Section View

Slide 80

Interior

Detail BDetail A

Wall 1 Wall 2 Wall 3 Wall 1 – No exterior insulation Wall 2 – Lower Air and Vapour

PermeanceWall 3 – Higher Air and Vapour Permeance

•Vinyl Siding•Sheathing Membrane (Tyvek)•OSB•2x6 Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation•Plastic Air/Vapour Barrier•Drywall

•Vinyl Siding•2 in. XPS Rigid Foam Insulation, 24 in. wide sections installed horizontally, butt joints taped•Sheathing Membrane (Tyvek)•OSB•2x6 Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation•Plastic Air/Vapour Barrier•Drywall

•Vinyl Siding•Sheathing Membrane (Tyvek)•¾ in. x 1½ in. Vertical Strapping @ 16 in. (400 mm) o.c. mounted on blocks, with 2.5 in. Mineral Fibre Insulation Batts installed horizontally•Sheathing Membrane (Tyvek)•OSB•2x6 Stud Cavity with Fiberglass Insulation•Plastic Air/Vapour Barrier•Drywall

Plan View of the Test Specimens in Test BayExterior

Interior

Indoor chamber with controlled RH and P

Slide 81

Steps for Specimen Construction

Slide 82

THANK YOU

Slide 83http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/bes/facilities/fieldex_e.html

Lab-EEEF Field-FEWF

HAM Model-hygIRC 1D

Dr. Wahid [email protected]

Tel. 1-613-993 5709