Building Enclosure Interfaces and Solutions: Lessons Learned in the Field and Lab

BEC Charleston Presents:

Building Enclosure Interfaces and Solutions: Lessons Learned in the Field and Lab

Session 1

Dynamic Interfaces of Water-Resistive Barriers

Water-Resistive Barriers (WRBs) have evolved to serve compound forms and functions. Despite these advances, performance expectations still reflect over-simplistic assumptions and problematic testing methods. Interfaces with modern wall components also remain ill-defined with respect to the WRB’s primary function of liquid water resistance. Industry trends toward component integration have further strained the WRB’s intended role.
I present new findings from experimental research and computational modeling to demonstrate performance attributes of recognized WRB systems. Moisture transport and storage are reviewed for three dynamic interfaces: A) the exterior insulation interface; B) the substrate interface; and C) the fastener interface. Directives for industry research, testing standards, and product innovation are discussed.

Session 2

The Building Enclosure Core: Solution of Modern Wall Design

The ‘Building Enclosure Core’ is a design concept that diverges from our long-standing cladding-centric perspective. It emphasizes the influence of ‘Core’ components such as exterior insulation, WRBs, and stud cavity conditions as a basis for hygrothermal resilience. It differs from basic durable design concepts and ASHRAE 160 by assuming only two cladding scenarios; 1) poorly-vented moisture reservoir systems and 2) open jointed, highly ventilated systems. This concept also encourages demonstrable performance under extreme climates and stricter scenarios for moisture infiltration. The concept of the Building Enclosure Core is both physical construct as well as mental exercise for anticipating and addressing complex hygrothermal dynamics that are expressed within component layers and their respective interfaces. By placing less emphasis on cladding as a barrier and more emphasis on human error and extreme conditions, we can begin to design around these transgressions. Effective mental wrangling of the Building Enclosure Core has its benefits. When done correctly, it achieves a radically simplified wall that is highly adaptable to any cladding and all climates.

Learning Objectives

  • Define the role of WRBs in context with key interfaces in modern wall design:
  • Apply basic building science principles to identify new challenges in WRB performance:
  • Recognize common failure mechanisms associated with exterior insulation:
  • Assign directives for improving WRB systems, testing standards, and installation practices:

  • Understand the limitations of “perfect wall” concepts:
  • Offer robust solutions to specific design challenges for modern walls with exterior insulation:
  • Apply a novel design approach that goes beyond voluntary standards for moisture control:
  • Demonstrate the importance of whole-assembly design under extreme climatic conditions, human error, and building product failures:

About Our Speaker

Dr. Doggett is the Principal Scientist and founder of Built Environments, Inc. an architectural & building science consulting firm specializing in building enclosure design. His background includes extensive field experience in analyzing complex building enclosure failures, particularly those involving air, heat, and moisture transport. He combines this experience set with innovative design practices to assist multi-stakeholders achieve resilient, higher- performing buildings. Dr. Doggett is actively engaged in enclosure design, material & product research, and architectural applications in computational fluid dynamics, 3-D thermal modeling, and hygrothermal modeling. He has served as the principal scientist on hundreds of projects involving all markets and all building types. He also serves as a technical consultant for building product design, development, and continuing education.

Dr. Doggett founded Built Environments to serve a growing transformation in design and building practices, which strives for ever greater achievements in sustainability, energy efficiency, durability, and occupant health. This era brings new tools, new ideas, and new initiatives. But it also brings new challenges and unintended consequences. The firm’s resources, practices and principles are brought together to empower strategies for improved design that are both substantive and creative.

Specialties:
• Building Enclosure Consulting
• Rainscreen Design
• Material & Product Research
• IP & Product Development
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• 3D Heat, Air & Moisture Analysis • 3D Thermal Modeling
• Hygrothermal Modeling
• Durability & Resilient Design
• Moisture Control Design Analysis • Construction QA/QC
• Construction Defects
• Architectural Forensics
• Material Degradation
• Mold & Moisture Management