Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to highlight the research works being carried out on the hygrothermal behaviour of building materials and wall systems at the National Research Council (NRC) Canada. The paper depicts selected results obtained from parametric studies conducted on wood frame stucco walls commonly used in Canadian climatic conditions, using hygIRC, an advanced hygrothermal modelling tool developed over the years at the Institute for Research in Construction (IRC), NRC Canada. Theassumed wall configurations, environmental conditions and material properties used in the study and the rationale behind such assumptions are highlighted. The drying potential of the composite wall systems and drying characteristics of various individual wall components are analysed. A number of parameters which influence the moisture movement to and from the wall have been selected for this study and they are: (1) Presence of ventilation cavity behind the cladding, (2) Size of the vent cavity, (3) Variation of external relative humidity (RH), and (4) Solar radiation on the exterior face of the wall. The parametric studies, based on simulation results, call upon the urgent need to verify these observations by conducting closely monitored field tests.

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Mukhopadhyaya, P.; Kumaran, M.K.; van Reenen, D.; Tariku, F. "Influence of sheathing membrane and vapour barrier on hygrothermal response of stucco walls," 1, International Conference on Building Envelope Systems and Technologies (ICBEST) 2001 (Ottawa, Ontario, 6/26/2001), pp. 269-274, July 01, 2001

• HAM: computer models
• wood frame houses and walls, wood structure

1. A methodology to develop moisture management strategies for wood-frame walls in North America: application to stucco-clad walls
2. Determination of equilibrium moisture content of building materials: some practical difficulties
3. Effect of surface temperature on water absorption coefficient of building materials
4. Final report from task 7 of MEWS long-term performance: predict the moisture management performance of wall systems as a function of climate, material properties, etc. through mathematical modelling
5. Influence of material properties on the moisture response of an ideal stucco wall: results from hygrothermal simulation
6. Influence of sheathing membrane and vapour barrier on hygrothermnal response of stucco walls  

1. A comparison of empirical indoor relative humidity models with measured data
2. A logical extension of the ASTM Standard E96 to determine the dependence of water vapor transmission on relative humidity
3. A methodology to develop moisture management strategies for wood-frame walls in North America: application to stucco-clad walls
4. A thermal and moisture transport property data base for common building and insulating materials (final report)
5. Application of gamma-ray spectroscopy for determination of moisture distribution in insulating materials
6. Benchmarking of the advanced hygrothermal model hygIRC with mid scale experiments
7. Building envelope design, Part 2: estimating field performance of thermal insulation
8. Criteria for unaccesseptable damage on wood systems
9. Determination of equilibrium moisture content of building materials: some practical difficulties
10. Durability assessments of wood-frame construction using the concept of damage-functions
11. Effect of exfiltration on the hygrothermal behaviour of a residential wall assembly: results from calculations and computer simulations
12. Final Report, IEA-Annex 24, Task 3: Material Properties
13. Indoor and outdoor weather analysis tool for hygrothermal modelling
14. Influence of material properties on the moisture response of an ideal stucco wall: results from hygrothermal simulation
15. In-Situ performance evaluation of exterior insulation basement systems (EIBS) - spray polyurethane foam: summary report
16. MEWS methodology for developing moisture management strategies: application to stucco-clad wood-frame walls in North America
17. Modeling heat, air and moisture transport through building materials and components
18. Moisture buffering capacities of five North American building materials
19. Moisture diffusivity of building materials from water absorption measurements
20. Moisture transport coefficient of pine from gamma ray absorption measurements
21. On implementing experimental biological damage-functions models in durability assessment systems
22. Protecting the long-term performance of building envelope components
23. Report from Task 4 of MEWS Project - Environmental Conditions, Final Report
24. Report from Task 8 of MEWS Project - MEWS Methodology for Developing Moisture Management Strategies - Application to Stucco Clad Wood-Frame Walls in North America
25. Taking guess work out of placing air/vapor barriers
26. Three-dimensional analysis of thermal resistance of exterior basement insulation systems (EIBS)
27. Use of hygrothermal numerical modeling to identify optimal retrofit options for high-rise buildings
28. Vapor transport characteristics of mineral fiber insulation from heat flow meter measurements
29. Water vapor transmission and moisture accumulation in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams