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Executive Summary of Research Contributions Related to Moisture Management of Exterior Wall Systems (MEWS) - Modeling, Experiments, and Benchmarking

Maref, W., Lacasse, M. A. and Booth, D. G.
2002
Research Report, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council Canada, 127, pp. 15, Dec (RR-127)


Maref, W., Lacasse, M. A. and Booth, D. G., (2002), "Executive Summary of Research Contributions Related to Moisture Management of Exterior Wall Systems (MEWS) - Modeling, Experiments, and Benchmarking", Research Report, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council Canada, 127, pp. 15, Dec (RR-127).
Abstract:

Uncontrolled moisture accumulation in a building envelope reduces the structural integrity of its components through a combination of mechanical, chemical and biological degradation. Damage induced by moisture ingress includes rotting of wood studs and wood-based sheathing, as well as other detrimental effects such as efflorescence and spalling of masonry, and rusting of fastening mechanisms. Over the past decade, a significant number of low-rise wood-frame residential buildings have been plagued with water penetration problems related to uncontrolled moisture accumulation in the building envelope. In the majority of cases, the reported problems are in coastal areas such as lower mainland of BC, Maritime Provinces and eastern US. Effective moisture control is essential for an acceptable service life of building envelope. Effective moisture control implies both, minimising moisture ingress to prevent ingress of moisture into the inner most fabric of the wall assemblies, and redirection of moisture to the exterior. The principal objective is not to allow any component within the system to stay 'too wet' for 'too long'. The challenge would be to qualify and quantify what is considered "too wet" and "too long"?


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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Maref, W.
National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Research in Construction
  1. A methodology to develop moisture management strategies for wood-frame walls in North America: application to stucco-clad walls
  2. A precision weighing system for helping assess the hygrotherma response of full-scale wall assemblies
  3. An approach to validating computational models for hygrothermal analysis - full scale experiments
  4. Assembly and Calibration of a Compact Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor
  5. Benchmarking of the advanced hygrothermal model hygIRC with mid scale experiments
  6. In-Situ performance evaluation of exterior insulation basement systems (EIBS) - spray polyurethane foam: summary report
  7. Summary of Research Contributions Related to Moisture Management of Exterior Wall System (MEWS)-- Modeling, Experiments and Benchmarking
  8. Three-dimensional analysis of thermal resistance of exterior basement insulation systems (EIBS)  
Lacasse, M. A.
Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council, Ottawa,
  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. 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
  8. MEWS methodology for developing moisture management strategies: application to stucco-clad wood-frame walls in North America
  9. Proposed method for calculating water penetration test parameters of wall assemblies as applied to Istanbul, Turkey
  10. 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
  11. Report from task 6 of MEWS project -- experimental assessment of water penetration and entry into wood-frame wall specimens, - final report
  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  
Booth, D. G.
  1. An approach to validating computational models for hygrothermal analysis - full scale experiments
  2. Assembly and Calibration of a Compact Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor  



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