Download or read book Durability and Waterproofing Investigations of the Building Envelope written by Beth Anne Feero and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: abstraDurability of the building envelope is an important characteristic to monitor and test on a structure to ensure it does not fail prematurely from water penetration. Due to the building envelop failures existing today, the described testing herein aims to evaluate different building components in an effort to express deficiencies in testing or products so as to better influence the building envelope product market and lessen the possibility of future failures. This thesis describes the background and protocol for testing water resistive barrier full-scale mockups for long-term durability. An auxiliary study of the product nail sealability testing was also conducted, providing supporting visibility into inconsistencies between manufacturer and test results. Elastomeric sealants were also tested according to a new standard, ASTM C1589, which evaluates products for the long term based on both movement and weathering--a much needed standardized testing scenario. Initial results show the need for primed, silicone, and SWR Institute validated products. The water penetration characteristics of concrete masonry units were also analyzed using both ASTM C90 and RILEM tube testing. The results emphasized the need for redundancy in water repellents for porous units and the significant leniency of ASTM C90. Lastly, masonry veneer anchor guidelines were discussed, and it was found that the prescriptive nature of the MSJC code does not provide adequate guidance on installation of anchors for unique architectural or structural details. Suggestions for placement in these instances are given. Much of the testing described in this thesis represents best practice suggestions and initial product evaluation. Since this testing has been developed as long-term experiments, the next few years will provide the needed information on failure mechanisms and methods to prevent these failures.ct

Download or read book Waterproofing the Building Envelope written by Michael T. Kubal and published by McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing. This book was released on 1993 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Leakage problems in construction are the number one cause of lawsuits. That's why you need Kubals new Waterproofing the Building Envelope--the first book designed to cover every facet of waterproofing, from below-grade to above-grade and back down again. It's the only book that explains the critical 90%/1% principle--why 90% of all building leakage is attributable to 1% of a building's area and what you can do about it. It shows you how to select the right materials and systems for a particular project--including sealants, expansion joints, and admixtures--and put them all together so that they function as a waterproof envelope. Included are tips on testing, cleaning, maintenance, and repair--plus coverage of safety and environmental standards.

Download or read book Durability and Weatherproofing of Building Envelope Materials written by Vincent K. Costello and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The proper maintenance and long-term durability of the building envelope are two of the most important factors in achieving adequate serviceability of a building. However, products and components are typically tested using fresh and unweathered specimens, leading to a lack of data concerning long-term durability of these components. This thesis investigates various waterproofing material components and assemblies including more elastomeric sealants, clear penetrating water repellent products, and a weather-resistive barrier in the presence of surfactants. These projects are being pursued in an attempt to fill the gap between fresh state material testing and the performance of materials under weathering exposure and a variety of conditions to assess the many factors that contribute to the building envelope’s durability. The data and analysis included in this thesis is a small subset of projects currently in progress at the University of Texas at Austin which also include ongoing investigations into 30+ different materials and components of the building envelope. In this study, more than two dozen elastomeric sealant products from three distinct chemistries were analyzed and their performances compared to assess the influence of product chemistry and starting position (compression vs. extension). It was observed that sealants experiencing early-life compression showed distress sooner than those experiencing early-life tension, but long-term performance is comparable for those products able to withstand initial cycles of compression/extension stresses. Additionally, third-party validation may help a specifier in choosing a product, but this alone may be insufficient in determining products best suited for long-term durable performance. Furthermore, round-robin testing is required to assess the current testing protocols and whether they are truly reflective of performance when installed in real building envelopes. 28 clear penetrating water repellent products from 7 different chemistries were tested for depth of penetration. Silanes tend to penetrate much deeper than siloxanes, silane-siloxane hybrids, and other silicone-based products, with marginal increases in penetration depths with greater active contents. Further long-term testing is required to assess DoP influence on overall durability in preventing water absorption into various substrates. Literature review regarding effects of surfactants in stucco wall assemblies is presented, and bench tests were developed which showed deleterious effects of surfactants on common polyethylene sheet weather-resistive barriers (WRBs). A full-scale testing wall is under construction to investigate mechanisms by which surfactants present in stucco mixtures may affect water-resistive properties of stucco and the underlying WRBs, and a future testing protocol is presented to assess active life of surfactants in hardened stucco to assess potential leaching of the surfactants in hardened stucco

Download or read book Durability of Building Envelope Materials written by Jorge Mario Blanco Urruchurtu and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis is part of a series of documents that presents some research on different topics that are being conducted at The Durability Lab of The University of Texas consisting of groundbreaking research focused on the durability of building envelope materials used in construction. Behavior of stucco was analyzed when different construction joint configurations were used, Strict and Compromise cases (accepted by the ASTM standard) and Usual case (often used in construction). These cases were used, in a wall constructed at the exposure site at The University of Texas Pickle Research Campus to compare the joint opening widths due to temperature and weather conditions by installing gage points on both sides of the construction joints. Water-resistive barrier testing is ongoing as well as nail sealability testing, observations on the performance of products exposed on mockups are being made and the new implementation of the ASTM D7349, Standard Test Method for Determining the Capability of Roofing and Waterproofing Materials to Seal around Fasteners, regarding nail sealability is presented. Building sealants are crucial when avoiding water to get inside buildings through the perimeters of doors and windows principally. Long-term testing is being done based on ASTM C1589, Standard Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Construction Seals and Sealants Procedure C, and important trends are presented after observation and data analysis of the gathered information. Important takeaways from water-repellent testing are listed considering the behavior and performance of water-repellents based on the effects of UV radiation and weather conditions, as well as the active component and the type of water-repellent. Construction tapes and flashings are vital in many water-resistive barrier systems, since they seal around all penetrations to provide a complete waterproofing system. Test of construction tapes and flashings has been performed mainly based on ASTM D3654, Standard Test Methods for Shear Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tapes, considering different types of tapes and different substrates. Lastly, the effect of surfactants on the performance of building paper were observed, two different conditions were evaluated: the presence of surfactants on stucco mixes and admixtures, and the presence of surfactants on detergents and soaps used to clean the outer part of buildings. Some other, but no less important research topics, are ongoing, including properties of plaster mixtures, pedestrian membranes, and elastomeric wall coatings.

Download or read book Construction Waterproofing Handbook 2E PB written by Michael T. Kubal and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 2008-03-26 with total page 656 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Latest Waterproofing Techniques and Technology Fully updated to include new techniques for mold remediation, Construction Waterproofing Handbook simplifies the critical task of keeping a building's envelope watertight. It begins with a tutorial on basic waterproofing concepts and materials, then moves on to the particulars of designing and installing systems in commercial, industrial, and residential structures. Written by a renowned expert and popular author on the subject, this comprehensive guide provides key information on such matters as quality assurance, admixtures, expansion joints, testing, and safety. Because of recent natural disasters, clients are more concerned with waterproofing than ever. Construction Waterproofing Handbook provides everything you'll need to complete the most demanding projects with confidence and within budget. Packed with hundreds of illustrations, Construction Waterproofing Handbook includes: Innovative mold remediation techniques New information about residential waterproofing Illustrations of installation procedures Detailed plans and specifications SI units Inside: • Waterproofing Principles • Below-Grade Waterproofing • Above-Grade Waterproofing • Residential Waterproofing • Sealants • Expansion Joints • Admixtures • Remedial Waterproofing • Mold • The Building Envelope • Life Cycles • Envelope Testing • Leak Investigation and Detection • Safety • Guide Specifications • Resources

Download or read book Investigating Moisture Damage Caused by Building Envelope Problems written by Niklas W. Vigener and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE MAJORITY OF BUILDING PERFORMANCE problems are caused by water leakage through the building envelope and condensation of moisture in exterior wall and roof assemblies. Identifying the sources of water leakage is a critical first step to developing a regimen of effective building repairs. This chapter reviews common building envelope leakage problems and discusses investigative techniques to identify the sources of leakage. To the layperson, troubleshooting in buildings, particularly with regard to moisture problems, conjures visions of investigators poking with flashlights in dark corners or dangling from ropes on a building wall hundreds of feet above the street. While investigating moisture damage caused by building envelope problems may include the above secretive or heroic modes of operation, more frequently and more typically troubleshooting involves the preparation of test protocols, performance of diagnostic tests, and the careful evaluation of test results. Troubleshooting, or the diagnosis of building problems, is much like the work of the detective who tries to solve a crime or the doctor who attempts to diagnose and cure a patient's illness. The term building diagnostics has come into frequent use and certainly can be applied to moisture investigations. The term building diagnostics here refers to the use of tests providing measurable results for determining the performance of buildings and their components. Although standard test methods are usually applied, it can include the development of tests for a specific case, as standard methods do not exist for all the tests an investigator may wish or need to undertake. In some instances, the evaluation of test results is straightforward, consisting of a comparison with some standard or code value; in others, it includes an element of the investigator's experience in similar cases. However, moisture investigations include more than the conduct of tests and measurements. They include the gathering of physical evidence, surveys of damage, and occupant surveys. Finally, the approach of the investigator and the determination of what tests to perform, at what time, and under what circumstances are still largely an art, and no two investigators are likely to follow the same protocol in the same case. As standardized test methods become more abundant, as they are applied with greater frequency, and as the community of investigators becomes more aware of each others' work, moisture investigations also will become more standardized as generally accepted protocols are adopted. Chapter 11 discussed various techniques and methods for measuring moisture content and for moisture-related tests in buildings and for building components, products, and materials. It is the intent of this chapter to provide guidance on how and when to apply the testing and measurement methods to identify causes and mechanisms of moisture problems and to determine the most effective remedial actions.

Download or read book Water Resistant Design and Construction written by William L. Walker and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 2007-11-29 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Capitalize on Proven Solutions to the 25 Most Common Water Problems in Buildings_and Avoid Costly Construction Claims! The Illustrated Guide to Water Resistant Design and Construction provides state-of-the-art solutions to prevent the most common water-related problems in buildings. Designed to save you time and money, this expert resource discusses the causes and effects of water-related problems...time tested solutions for keeping water damage from occurring...methods for enhancing construction quality to reduce claims...tips on selecting the right firm to perform waterproof design and construction...guidance on achieving effective maintenance and repair...and more. The Illustrated Guide to Waterproof Construction features: More than 150 illustrations showing how to improve details and create higher-quality buildings Waterproofing methods that comply with the International Building Code Numerous examples and case studies from the United States, China, and Canada Inside this Complete Waterproofing Sourcebook •The 25 Most Common Problems: Causes and Effects • Mold and Mildew • How to Prevent Problems • Pre-Design Phase: Blueprint for Process • Building Delivery System • Time and Money • Concept Statement • Team Building • Design Phase: Selecting the Right Firm • Communications • Building Program • Schematic Design • Price Check • Design Development • Site Design • Floor • Air and Vapor Retarders • Wall Systems, Including Barrier, Drainage and Rain Screen Designs • Roof • Flashings • Sealants • Copings • Insulation • Avoiding Condensation • Mechanical Systems • Positive Pressurization • Bidding and Permitting • Construction: Scheduling • Long-Lead Items • Quality Assurance and Control • Early Bid and Construction Packages • Storage and Protection • Coordinating the Trades • Dimensional Tolerances • Managing Change Orders • Close-Out • Post-Construction: Operation • Maintenance • Repair • Replacement • Changes in Ownership

Download or read book Applying a Methodology of Investigation Tailored to the Building Envelope Affected by Water Infiltration written by Richard Trempe and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 27 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the importance building envelope consultants have in implementing a methodology of investigation tailored to the type of building envelope and problem under review. This includes the use of diagnostic tools needed to uncover both evident and less apparent failure mechanisms. The present-day environment in southern Québec has been impacted by climate change that has exacerbated to varying degrees the problems encountered in many of our buildings. Climatic models point to several changes including increased precipitation (rain)during winter months, increased occurrences of freeze-thaw cycling, and an increased frequency in the intensity and duration of climatic events. The influence of such changes on our building inventory coupled with poor design, and poor workmanship make it imperative that a more extensive application of diagnostic tools be used to better define the various failure mechanisms that contribute to the observed deficiencies. We will consider examples of buildings that have been subjected to extensive study using various diagnostic tools.Two practical case studies shall be presented of buildings in eastern Canada. The first case reviews attic spaces of a government building with limited access, which required the use of various often rarely used diagnostic tools to explain the sources of water infiltration. The second case reviews a masonry clad institutional building where site conditions, including exploratory openings, and on-site and laboratory testing, led to the identification of various mechanisms of failure that contributed to the observed deficiencies.

Download or read book Water Problems in Building Exterior Walls written by Jon M. Boyd and published by ASTM International. This book was released on 1999 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Failure Mechanisms in Building Construction written by David Harlan Nicastro and published by Amer Society of Civil Engineers. This book was released on 1997 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: David Nicastro examines various types of failure mechanisms, including their causes and identifying characteristics, and provides a comprehensive collection of case histories.

Download or read book Green Schools written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2007-01-25 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evidence has accumulated that shows that the quality of indoor environments can affect the health and productivity of adults and children. One consequence is that a movement has emerged to promote the design of schools that have fewer adverse environmental effects. To examine the potential of such design for improving education, several private organizations asked the NRC to review and assess the health and productivity benefits of green schools. This report provides an analysis of the complexity of making such a determination; and an assessment of the potential human health and performance benefits of improvements in the building envelope, indoor air quality, lighting, and acoustical quality. The report also presents an assessment of the overall building condition and student achievement, and offers an analysis of and recommendations for planning and maintaining green schools including research considerations.

Download or read book Moisture Reduction Strategies for Building Envelopes written by Wade L. Vorley and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Building envelope standards and practices have evolved over the past few decades in response to increased energy efficiency goals and a better understanding of building science. New materials, systems, and detailing methods help to reduce thermal bridging and to reduce air leakage through building envelopes. A building envelope assembly that is properly designed, detailed, and installed to today's standards typically will perform as expected, reduce energy usage, and provide a durable and long-lasting assembly. However, these technologies are not a panacea for deficiencies in the construction process, deferred maintenance, or unforeseen occupant uses and alterations. The sheer multitude of components involved in today's building envelopes and the airtightness of the assemblies themselves can lead to vulnerabilities exacerbated by any of these factors. Having investigated many building envelope failures, we have found that air barrier, roofing, and waterproofing perfection is challenging to achieve. The goal of this paper is to outline strategies to reduce or evacuate moisture from building envelopes without extensive replacement of components or systems. This paper presents case studies of existing buildings equipped with moisture-monitoring data loggers to evaluate initial conditions and verify moisture reduction over time. The data loggers collected readings at 5-min. intervals for temperature, relative humidity, and moisture content and have been in place for more than six years in some buildings. The primary moisture reduction strategies employed in these studies include added thermal protection, modification of heating systems, the introduction of active air movement, and ventilation of the roof assembly. The success of these strategies is verified with empirical data.

Download or read book Performance of Cladding and Waterproofing Materials written by Kyle Richard Gagnon and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The long-term performance of the materials that create the building envelope is essential to the long-term durability of buildings and structures. This thesis summarizes published literature on various cladding and waterproofing materials. In addition, the research involved in the creation of this thesis evaluated several performance aspects of these components. Code requirements for anchored masonry veneer were tabulated and compared against requirements in the specification. It was determined that not all code requirements are also found in the specification. It is recommended that the specifier, whether and Engineer or an Architect, specify those code requirements which are not in the specification. Materials testing of exterior plaster mixtures specified in ASTM C926 was completed. Prisms and cubes were cast to determine the drying shrinkage potential and compressive strength of various plaster mixtures. This information can be useful when determining suitable control joints and their required spacing for a given mix. The crack-bridging ability of fluid-applied weather resistive barriers was evaluated using a new test method. This test method has not been published and is very similar to ASTM C1305, a test method for other fluid-applied waterproofing membranes. It was determined that ASTM C1305 may not be suitable for all fluid-applied products since thicknesses vary between manufacturers. Different asphalt impregnated membranes including roofing felt and building paper were installed on a mock-up for long term exposure. Research was performed as to the long-term performance of each of the products. It was determined that both paper and felt comply with code requirements and should be chosen when they have the greatest advantages for the given building envelope system. A large-scale test was performed on clear penetrating water repellents. These were applied to a suitable substrate and evaluated for their ability to resist water infiltration. Many of these products are highly effective at reducing the amount of water absorption. Prolonged UV exposure will shed light as to the long-term durability of these products. This research is part of an ongoing project at The University of Texas at Austin’s Durability Lab. Ongoing testing that began previously, including water resistive barriers mock-ups, nail sealability, and elastomeric sealants, have not been included in this thesis.

Download or read book Damp Indoor Spaces and Health written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2004-10-01 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.

Download or read book Expert Knowledge based Inspection Systems written by Jorge de Brito and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-05-19 with total page 493 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a novel approach to building pathology in current buildings. Drawing on the available literature, hands-on experience and fieldwork inspections, it presents a systematic perspective on the pathology of the building envelope. The book addresses natural stone claddings, adhesive ceramic tiling, renders, painted surfaces, External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS), architectural concrete surfaces, windows and doors framing, and claddings for pitched and flat roofs. In addition to highlighting selected materials and construction elements, the book proposes a global classification system for defects and their probable causes, together with in situ diagnosis methods and repair techniques. It also identifies the relationships between defects and causes, diagnosis methods and repair techniques, and the interdependence between different defects, presenting these relations in the form of correlation matrices. Support files with detailed information and an inspection form are also provided. Selected case studies are presented to illustrate the value of a guidance system in fieldwork. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable guide, particularly for researchers, building inspectors, civil engineers, architects and maintenance planners.

Download or read book Design Criteria and Solutions to Common Issues in Building Envelope Design written by Adam L. Rizor and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As third-party consultants, we retain a unique perspective through participation in the design, construction, assessment, and forensic analysis of building envelopes. Our familiarity with the building envelope has shown us that the performance and life span of a building is remarkably dependent on the quality of its design--not only in the selection of materials and systems but also in the quality of their detailing. Considering modern architectural building design, building envelope systems are now relied upon heavily in ways beyond their basic function as environmental control layers. High-risk areas such as elaborately designed green roofs raise the stakes yet further and threaten the integrity of the building envelope when function follows second to aesthetics. A few small decisions in how building envelope systems are implemented can mean the difference between a successful or failing design, and the difference may not be immediately obvious to the untrained eye. Cost is another factor, and often a limitation, guiding the design of facade, roofing, and waterproofing systems. Special attention also needs to be given to cost- or value-oriented decision-making in building envelope design. Having the correct knowledge and tools to design building envelope systems can offer protection against costly mistakes and provide balance between function and architectural appeal. By providing general design criteria and solutions to commonly observed issues, our objective is to afford others a better opportunity to identify potential issues and, ultimately, avoid problems that develop during the service life of a building.

Download or read book Water in Buildings written by William B. Rose and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2005-04-07 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The definitive guide to understanding and managing the effects of water on buildings Water in Buildings: An Architect's Guide to Moisture and Mold is a detailed and highly useful reference to help architects and other design professionals create dry, healthy environments, without jeopardizing a project with poor liability management. Much more than a book of "quick fixes," this practical guide illuminates an essential understanding of the "whys" of moisture problems, including valuable information on how water behaves and how its performance can be anticipated and managed in building design. With a special emphasis on water's role in creating mold, an issue of growing concern and liability, Water in Buildings offers the most up-to-date information on rainwater management, below-grade water management, foundations, wall and roof construction, mechanical systems, moisture, and much more! Providing authoritative guidance to designers and builders, this definitive guide features: * Clear explanations of how water interacts with building materials and equipment * An in-depth exploration of the paths of leaks * Numerous case studies on such well-known structures as Mount Vernon, Independence Hall, and Wingspan (Frank Lloyd Wright) * Numerous descriptive drawings and photographs