The main emphasis of the MEWS project was to predict the hygrothermal responses of several wall assemblies that are exposed to North American climate loads, and a range of water leakage loads. Researchers used a method based on both laboratory experimentation and 2-D modeling with IRC's benchmarked model, hygIRC. This method introduced built-in detailing deficiencies that allowed water leakage into the stud cavity - both in the laboratory test specimens and in the virtual (modeling) "specimens"- for the purpose of investigating water entry rates into the stud cavity and the drying potential of the wall assemblies under different climate loads. Since the project was a first step in investigating a range of wall hygrothermal responses in a parametric analysis, no field study of building characteristics was performed to confirm inputs such as water entry rates and outputs such as wall response in a given climate. Rather, ranges from ˇ®no water entry and no response' to ˇ®too much water entry and too wet for too long' were investigated.

• country: Canada
• envelope performance
• experiment: laboratory
• rain penetration, water intrusion
• wood frame houses and walls, wood structure

1. A discrete stochastic model for performance prediction of roofing systems
2. A methodology to develop moisture management strategies for wood-frame walls in North America: application to stucco-clad walls
3. An approach to validating computational models for hygrothermal analysis - full scale experiments
4. Benchmarking of the advanced hygrothermal model hygIRC with mid scale experiments
5. Defining climate regions as a basis for specifying requirements for precipitation protection for walls
6. Durability of Building Materials and Components 8
7. Executive Summary of Research Contributions Related to Moisture Management of Exterior Wall Systems (MEWS) - Modeling, Experiments, and Benchmarking
8. Final Report from Task 8 of MEWS Project (T8-03) - Hygrothermal Response of Exterior Wall Systems to Climate Loading: Methodology and Interpretation of Results for Stucco, EIFS, Masonry and Siding Clad Wood-Frame Walls
9. MEWS methodology for developing moisture management strategies: application to stucco-clad wood-frame walls in North America
10. Proposed method for calculating water penetration test parameters of wall assemblies as applied to Istanbul, Turkey
11. Report from Task 2 of MEWS Project - Description of 17 Large Sale Wall Specimens Built for Water Entry Investigation in IRC Dynamic Wall Testing Facility
12. Report from Task 8 of MEWS Project - MEWS Methodology for Developing Moisture Management Strategies - Application to Stucco Clad Wood-Frame Walls in North America