TY - GEN
T1 - Simulating air leakage in walls and roofs using indoor and outdoor boundary conditions
AU - Pallin, Simon
AU - Hun, Diana
AU - Boudreaux, Philip
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 U.S. Government.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Air leakage through the building envelope can result in large energy penalties but also have detrimental effects on the moisture durability of materials. Researchers have utilized computer simulations to estimate the risk of moisture damages due to air leakage through wall and roof assemblies. However, the accuracy of these simulations has limitations, as they typically employ a one-dimensional approach even though airflow-related problems are two or three dimensional. Furthermore, the flow rate and direction of the air that are used in these assessments are usually subjective values. To improve on previous research, this paper describes how to calibrate one-dimensional simulation tools through theoretical equations so that they can be used to study two-dimensional effects. Further, the present work provides guidance on how to use indoor and outdoor boundary conditions to estimate the air’s flow rate and direction using existing hygrothermal simulation tools. The proposed method will allow researchers and designers to drastically improve their assessments of the effects of air leakage on the moisture durability of wall and roof assemblies.
AB - Air leakage through the building envelope can result in large energy penalties but also have detrimental effects on the moisture durability of materials. Researchers have utilized computer simulations to estimate the risk of moisture damages due to air leakage through wall and roof assemblies. However, the accuracy of these simulations has limitations, as they typically employ a one-dimensional approach even though airflow-related problems are two or three dimensional. Furthermore, the flow rate and direction of the air that are used in these assessments are usually subjective values. To improve on previous research, this paper describes how to calibrate one-dimensional simulation tools through theoretical equations so that they can be used to study two-dimensional effects. Further, the present work provides guidance on how to use indoor and outdoor boundary conditions to estimate the air’s flow rate and direction using existing hygrothermal simulation tools. The proposed method will allow researchers and designers to drastically improve their assessments of the effects of air leakage on the moisture durability of wall and roof assemblies.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85024127442&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85024127442
SN - 9781939200501
T3 - Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings
SP - 485
EP - 492
BT - Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings - XIII International Conference
PB - American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
T2 - 13th International Conference on Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 2016
Y2 - 4 December 2016 through 8 December 2016
ER -