Modern high-performance building enclosures utilize control layers to manage heat, air, water, and vapor transport through walls, roofs, waterproofing, and fenestrations. This presentation will provide an introduction to the building science of these key four phenomena of building physics, the mechanism for how they work, and strategies for controlling their transport in assemblies. The goal of this presentation is that each participant will be able to identify how common building materials (e.g. WRBs, insulation, curtain wall, concrete, etc.) are able to control air, heat, water, and vapor and describe which metrics are used to quantify those movements. These metrics will be shown in the context of the requirements of common buildings codes and industry standards. Recent building science research will be shared along with developments and upcoming changes to these metrics.
Learning Objectives:
- Cover the mechanisms of heat, air, bulk water, and vapor and how they transport through building assemblies.
- Recognize the importance of air barriers and common challenges with their installation.
- Cover the benefits of continuous insulation and common challenges to achieving it in the field.
- Explore key strategies for achieving durable, energy-efficient, and thermally comfortable wall, roof, and below-grade assemblies.
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