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Experimental procedure to evaluate air leakage through different building materials

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Experimental procedure to evaluate air leakage through different building materials

Cosmulescu, Cristina (1997) Experimental procedure to evaluate air leakage through different building materials. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

This work deals with the evaluation of air flow rate through different building materials used in the construction of building envelope. Experimental measurements of the air flow through and static pressure difference across building walls were carried out. For this purpose a new test configuration consisting of pressurization chambers was designed and developed. In order to validate the new-experimental setup developed, the leakage parameters of some common building materials such as gypsum board and plywood sheathing were evaluated and compared with literature values with satisfactory results. The experimental approach developed in this study was then used to evaluate the air leakage characteristics (resistance, permeance, equivalent leakage area) of brick, impregnated brick and composite walls. Different building envelope configurations were compared in order to assess the airtightness performance and recommend appropriate improvements. This study confirmed that under pressure differentials of 10 to 150 Pa, the air flow regime through rigid building materials is mainly laminar. The research also dealt with the evaluation of the air flow characteristics through a composite system in order to estimate the general envelope performance, by considering the air flow rate through each component layer. The building component airtightness measurements using the proposed experimental configuration were performed under controlled laboratory conditions. This system has the advantage that a large number of rigid specimens can be examined under similar conditions. However, results obtained under laboratory conditions may be significantly different from those of similar components on site evaluation. This is attributed to the effect of workmanship on the airtightness performance of the building envelope

Divisions:Concordia University > Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science > Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Cosmulescu, Cristina
Pagination:xiv, 119 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A. Sc.
Program:Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Date:1997
Thesis Supervisor(s):Stathopoulos, Ted
Identification Number:TH 2235 C67 1997
ID Code:501
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:27 Aug 2009 17:12
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 19:46
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