Comparing wall performance predicted from hygrothermal simulations to wall performance measured from environmental chamber experiments

Abstract

To effectively mitigate prevailing perceptions of potential moisture risks in high-R wall assemblies, a comprehensive moisture durability assessment that incorporates BA team field evaluations, lab tests and simulations has been completed over the last couple years. In FY18, three stick-built walls were succumbed to typical Chicago weather in ORNL’s Heat, Air and Moisture chamber. The measured temperature, relative humidity and moisture content within these walls were compared to WUFI hygrothermal simulation results. In FY19, similar experiments and comparison to WUFI results were completed with two walls, a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) based wall and a Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) based wall. The following tasks were completed for these two walls: 1. Measure air permeance of each individual wall using ASTM E283 Standard Test Method. 2.Test walls in diffusion scenario as only moisture transport mechanism and compare measured transient temperature and relative humidity of select wall components to WUFI model results. Chicago summer and weather will be investigated. 3. Test walls in wetting event scenario and compare measured transient temperature and relative humidity of select wall components with Chicago summer weather to WUFI model results. 4. Test walls in diffusion/advection scenario. In addition to controlling outdoor chamber to match real outdoor weather, a pressure differential across the wall will be varied. Measured transient temperature and relative humidity of select wall components will be compared to WUFI model results. 5. Test walls in diffusion/advection with solar heating of cladding. In addition to the variables above, IR lamps will be used to heat the cladding on a diurnal cycle. Measured transient OSB MC and temperature will be compared to WUFI model results. This report documents the experimental method, results and comparison of the measured experimental hygrothermal performance of the two walls to simulations results.