A series of 24″ wide wall panels, representing various high-performance assemblies, will be tested for thermal and moisture transfer through the assembly over time in real-world conditions. A total of 5 panels will be tested at any one time.

These panels will be outfitted with instrumentation to measure humidity, moisture content and temperatures throughout the assemblies at various locations. It is expected that the test panels would stay in place for one (1) years time. At the end of the initial test phase, they would be subjected to a purposeful injection of liquid water to test the panel’s performance in a WRB or an AB failure. At the end of the test, the panels would be removed and replaced with another 5 panels of different designs.

Similar instrumentation would also be installed within the main dwelling walls, and foundation assemblies to provide a baseline of conditions and provide additional data points for other building science research. It is expected that these baseline results, utilizing ROCKWOOL mineral wool insulation, would reflect many of the strengths of mineral wool insulation in comparison with other insulation strategies.

The instrument data points will be made available online via a secure website to any interested parties involved with building science research or envelope design. This data and research should assist code officials across Canada during the process of creating prescriptive code language for high-performance walls in future building code updates.

The cost of materials, instrumentation, and labour to construct these test panels will primarily be borne by SENWiEco. Structural Monitoring Technology will be providing the ability to monitor instrument readings online at no additional charge and will work with SENWiEco on an affordable instrument package.