Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XIII International Conference

Workshop Host: Laverne Dalgleish – Executive Director, Air Barrier Association of America

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Whole Building Testing – John Straube
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Energy Savings Calculator – Andre Desjarlais
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Air Barrier Issues in the Field – Brian Stroik
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Questions We Need Answers For – Laverne Dalgleish
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Air Barrier Installation Inspections – Peter Spafford
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Measuring Water Resistance – Sara Flock
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM Design Professional and Air Barriers – Andrew Dunlap

Workshop Host: Dr. Jan Kosny – Director, Building Enclosures and Materials, Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE (Massachusetts)

Since 2001, a group of building scientists, architects, and researchers has been meeting during the Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes Conference to discuss current research and new application trends in the areas of thermal storage and thermal stability of buildings.

A modern "massive building" is one which can utilize thermal excitations from the exterior environment to improve overall energy efficiency, manage the building’s peak energy demand, and facilitate the coordination of the building’s energy consumption with solar energy generation and electric power grid dynamics. Significant energy-savings are possible by blending thermally massive building envelopes with natural elements such as sunlight, temperature fluctuations, breezes, and appropriate landscaping. When properly combined, these elements produce a building with less reliance on purchased energy, less environmental impact, and improved thermal comfort.

Today, building designs that utilize either conventional thermal mass or phase change materials are receiving wider acclaim due to both energy cost concerns and the increasing interest in the environmental impact of buildings.

Workshop Host: Dr. Wahid Maref – Professor, École de Technologie Supérieure (Quebec)

The workshop will cover Heat, Air and Moisture in Buildings. The speakers will cover everything from fundamentals to practice by presenting case studies or/and by modelling and field experiment in order to assess the hygrothermal performance of the building envelopes.

Building envelopes are becoming increasingly insulated due to more stringent energy requirements around the world, whether in new construction or by adding insulation to either the interior or exterior of existing buildings. As such, interstitial condensation, thermal bridges, and other physical phenomena are becoming an issue for building energy performance and durability. In-situ thermography techniques, guidelines, and calculation techniques for European Standards are presented in this workshop to help assess the impact of thermal bridges on the overall heat loss due to poor design, standard practice, etc.

New sensors technology for roofing applications will also be presented, including live monitoring results. This includes practical applications and installation details of the sensors added during various stages of the building life cycle, including new construction, existing buildings, and site condition assessments.

• Thermal bridges — N. Van Den Bossche
• Structure monitoring — making the invisible visible — Alistair Kuegler
• Impact Of Fenestration On The Overall Thermal Performance Of The Building Envelope— by Mario D. Gonçalves
• Modern Hygrothermal Engineering: Motivation, Basics, Examples – Manfred Kehrer

Workshop Hosts: Hartwig Kunzel, Ph.D. – Head of Group, Fraunhofer IBP (Germany), Andreas Holm, Ph.D. – Director, FIW Munich (Germany), André Desjarlais – Program Manager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee)

What are the trends in building insulation? How do new systems perform and how durable are they? Where are the limits? We need to appreciate the dependence of thermal performance on temperature, humidity, and air flow. What are the pitfalls of testing and evaluating the thermal properties of insulation systems? We will discuss appropriate protection and maintenance measures to ensure long service life of insulated building assemblies, and learn about the recycling options for insulation materials and systems.

Workshop Host: Carl-Eric Hagentoft – Professor, Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden)

The IEA-EBC annex on Reliability of Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting - Probability Assessment of Performance and Cost (RAP-RETRO) was finalized during the past year.

Retrofit measures are of the utmost importance for upgrading the existing building stock. As such, we need to design and realize robust retrofitting with low energy demand and life cycle costs, while controlling risk levels for performance failure. But, many building owners are only interested in the initial capital cost. Looking at actual risks in performance and the costs incurred highlights the need for life-cycle thinking.

In short, this annex provides decision support data and tools for energy retrofitting measures. The tools are based on probabilistic methodologies for prediction of energy use, life cycle cost and functional performance. A risk assessment framework has been developed and applied on case studies. The process of risk management and how to include probabilistic assessment tools during the building process will be explained, as well as exemplifications of how to write guidelines.

Some results from the annex will be presented, where after-group discussions will take place, and how to target and facilitate such analyses in the common practice both in projects related to new and existing buildings.

Workshop Host: Tuomo Ojanen – Senior Scientist, VTT (Finland)

This workshop will present the Mold Growth Index (MGI) model, its application and how it has been used for decades in Europe. It will also explain:

• How it was developed and which factors that will influence the risk of mold
• Evaluation of critical mold growth levels in structures
• The assessment criteria and how these relate to MGI
• The parameters used in the numerical model and what they represent
• Examples of how MGI is used and how the result will vary for different materials

In addition, the type of materials tested to define a numerical model will be presented, and under what conditions. Finally, ongoing research will be discussed and whether further development of the numerical model is expected.

Samuel Taylor

As we are moving towards better insulated building envelopes, the relative impact of thermal bridges increases as well. For well-insulated buildings the share of thermal bridges can add up to over 20% of the overall transmission heat loss. More and more countries are implementing restrictions on the occurrence of thermal bridges, but this often introduces a number of both technical and practical questions to be answered. How to interpret existing calculation procedures? How can we find a trade-off between technical detail and practical feasibility? How to apply standards on steel-frame constructions? This workshop addresses the following topics:

• Calculation: to what extent can we simplify certain layers and local effects?
• How to calculate steel-frame constructions? Should we simulate tolerances, imperfect contact, and every screw or bolt?
• Subsequently, a set of criteria is presented that allows both a detailed (numerical) as well as a rule-of-thumb approach
• The impact of thermal bridges on the overall heat loss is then analyzed for poor design, standard practice, and state-of-the-art solutions

Download Schedule

Leading edge structural monitoring technology is commercially being applied in the investigation of building wall and roof performance. The practice is use sensors embedded in the assembly where we cannot easily inspect on for moisture content, condensation, dew point, thermo profiling, vapour pressure, differential air pressure and building component movement.

The initial commissioning and verification of design details is key for design professionals in continuing to develop ‘best practice’ guidelines and tolerances for the modern construction environment. Building owners and operators are interested in the confirmation that the remediation or renovations are going as planned on existing buildings.

The presentation shall outline sensors and monitoring platforms in either a data logging or real-time reporting configurations to verify assembly conditions. Case studies of the results of sensors added to installations during various stages of the building life cycle, including new construction, existing buildings, and re-commissioning of membrane components. Real-life, practical applications, installation details, site condition assessments, and live monitoring results shall be presented.

Workshop Host: Samuel Taylor – Consultant, Energy & Resource Efficiency (Maryland)

An update and open forum will be provided on progress in implementing university building science education programs. The meeting will be followed by side meetings, during the week, seeking comments and input from Buildings XIII participants - particularly from North American and European university professors – on building science teaching resources and approaches.

The year 2016 begins with the NIBS Building Innovation Conference with the “Symposium on Building Science Education in North America” addressing solutions towards building science competency. It will be followed by presentations at Penn State expanding on “not so difficult” approaches for teaching building science fundamentals and the infusion of building science in traditional courses, as well as a forum addressing the pairing of experiential and academic learning.

The Joint Committee on Building Science Education and the BETEC Education Committee will provide updates on the implementation of these approaches and the use of new teaching resources (e.g., textbooks, modules, databases). Also, updates will be provided by DOE on the “Race to Zero” Student Design Competition; the new university section of the Solution Center, and progress in implementing the building science guidelines. For further information, see "Events" on http://www.BuildingScienceEducation.net

Download Schedule

Workshop Host: Sven Mumme – Building Envelope Technology Manager

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office’s (BTO’s) published a Windows and Building Envelope Research and Development Roadmap. The objective of the roadmap was to identify specific R&D targets and goals and define strategies to accelerate the development and deployment of cost effective envelope technologies.  In FY17-18, BTO plans to update the roadmap to include a finer resolution of strategies to meet R&D targets and goals identified in the DOE’s 2016 Multi-Year Program Plan. The workshop is intended to engage key building envelope stakeholders to review and seek input on the following:

• Domestic and global perspectives on advanced technology and goals (e.g. IEA Roadmap)
• High priority opportunities in building envelope R&D
• Technical performance and cost metrics/targets to achieve BTO 2020-2030 goals
• Solutions and approaches to overcome critical technical challenges and market barriers

Stakeholders will be sought to represent the perspective of the R&D community, manufacturers, and industry practitioners.

Hartwig Kunzel, Ph.D., Fraunhofer IBP, Andreas Holm, Ph.D., FIW Munich, and André Desjarlais, ORNL

What are the trends in building insulation? How do new systems perform and how durable are they? Where are the limits? Appreciate the dependence of thermal performance on temperature, humidity and air flow. What are the pitfalls of testing and evaluating the thermal properties of insulation systems? We will discuss appropriate protection and maintenance measures to ensure long service life of insulated building assemblies. Learn about the recycling options for insulation materials and systems.

Sheraton Sand Key Resort

The room rate for the conference is $159/night, plus tax, single or double occupancy. A limited number of rooms at the government rate of $106 are available (subject to change if rate changes). Positive government ID is required at check-in. The room rate is available for three nights before and after the core conference. Reservations must be made before 5pm local time on November 2, 2016 to guarantee the conference room rate. One night's deposit must accompany reservations. Attendees will make their own reservations by contacting the hotel directly at 727-595-1611 and requesting the "UT-Battelle Buildings XIII (Buildings 13) Conference" room block.

The Sheraton Sand Key Resort offers an excellent combination of meeting and beach/recreation facilities. Amenities include a gourmet restaurant, cafe, snack bar, 24-hour general store, gift shop, newsstand/sundries shop, lobby bar, lighted tennis courts, fitness center, heated pool/hot tub, nearby golf courses, shopping malls, and marina. In addition, there are 14 acres of Gulf beach. Parking is free to registered guests. The hotel is located about 21 miles west of Tampa International Airport and is about a 2-hour drive from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Directions

Sheraton Sand Key Resort
1160 Gulf Boulevard
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
Phone: 727-595-1611
Fax: 727-593-6004
Toll Free: 800-456-7263

A building science to-do list

William Rose, University of Illinois

First, the talk will recognize significant accomplishments. It will then focus on what remains to be done. Some of the items are just over the horizon. Some will take commitment and effort, as well as ingenuity. Some may present some discomfort to vested interests, and may involve tussle and struggle. And some, the most important ones, are to be undertaken even with no light at the end of the tunnel. Uplifting closing words are promised.

Trends and challenges in building physics during the last 30 years: a Swedish perspective

Carl-Eric Hagentoft, Chalmers University

What drives innovation in the building industry? Is knowledge appreciated, absorbed and utilized within the sector? I will discuss how building science has become key to the development of sustainable solutions, but also how building issues tend to be nuanced, and can rarely be answered with a simple yes or no.

US DOE Building Technologies Office Multi-year Plan and International Perspectives

Marc LaFrance, Advanced Technology and Energy Policy Manager, US DOE Building Technologies Office

The US Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office published its 2016 Multi-year Plan that calls for a doubling of energy efficiency. The building code programs are supported by research and market conditioning activities that are defined in US technology roadmaps and are consistent with the International Energy Agency’s Energy Efficient Building Envelope Technology Roadmap (2013). This session will provide greater insight on key measures being pursued in the US and globally.

A Common Agenda for Getting to Zero

Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect, US DOE Building Technologies Office

DOE believes we are at the dawn of a major transition to zero energy ready new homes over the next five years. However, zero remains a heavy lift due to usual constraints with first cost, appraisals, lending guidelines, and inertia. This presentation will discuss how DOE is leveraging the Zero Energy Ready Home program to serve as a springboard for this transition by setting a common agenda for getting to zero. It’s not enough to be better technology; you also need a better plan.

Coming Soon: DOE's New Building Science Advisor, a Web-based Design Tool to Help Manage Moisture Risks in Walls

Eric Werling, Building America Program Director, US DOE Building Technologies Office

The DOE's Building America Program is developing an innovative new design tool known as the Building Science Advisor (BSA), as modern buildings become more airtight. This tool will help designers to confidently design high-R walls with reduced risk of condensation and assured drying potential inside wall assemblies. Eric will present highlights of the Building Science Advisor and invite Buildings XIII attendees to be among the first to test drive a working prototype in early 2017.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.