Abstract

Solar radiation on wet porous claddings may produce inward vapour flow and condensation. In warm and humid climates, such phenomenon must be considered in the building envelope design. Although no major failure due to solar-driven moisture condensation in cold climates have been reported, such moisture transport may occur, and it is not known to what extent summer condensation must be prevented in Canadian climates. The objective of the project presented in this thesis is to investigate the phenomenon and the factors that influence it. The thesis presents an experimental protocol including test specimen design, monitoring instrumentation and loading conditions. Varied parameters include a wet cladding subjected to simulated solar radiation, location of the vapour retarder and ventilation of the air cavity. Solar radiation is simulated using heat lamps. Experimental results on the hygrothermal performance of walls with wet cladding subjected to simulated solar radiation are presented. Experimental results are further analyzed with the dew-point method and a commercial heat and mass transport model.