This project proposes an experimental procedure to evaluate the effect of adding insulation to leak exterior wall assemblies and to monitor air leakage paths within them. The procedure involves the construction of a full-scale test hut exposed consecutively to climatic conditions representing winter and late spring, inside the environmental chamber. Two re-insulation strategies are studied, with three different air leakage patterns, and compared to an insulated base-case. The construction of the hut is typical of low-rise wood frame residences in Quebec, insulated with glass fiber batt insulation between the studs. The objectives of the experimental work are: (1) To study the effect of different insulating strategies for exterior wall assemblies having different air leakage characteristics on the moisture content and temperature distribution patterns in walls when exposed consecutively to wetting and drying conditions; (2) To develop and implement a method of characterizing air leakage paths so that more is known about the movement of air through exterior wall assemblies; (3) To produce patterns that could be used to validate existing models. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

• experiment: hygrothermal performance
• Fazio's student: thesis

1. Building Physics: 3rd International Conference in Building Physics
2. Building pressurisation can affect possibility of mould growth
3. Comparaison de m¨¦thodes de mesure de flux de chaleur pour sp¨¦cimens de grandes et moyennes dimensions
4. Experimental setup for the study of air leakage patterns
5. 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
6. Impact of added insulation on air leakage patterns
7. Impact of air leakage pattern on reinsulated walls
8. Mapping of air leakage in exterior wall assemblies
9. Moisture performance of leaky exterior walls with added insulation
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 8 of MEWS Project - MEWS Methodology for Developing Moisture Management Strategies - Application to Stucco Clad Wood-Frame Walls in North America
12. Study of the reduced impact of thermal bridges in two sprayed-applied polyurethane wall assemblies