Evaluating the potential of freeze-thaw damage in internally insulated masonry under climate change using different models

Sahar Sahyoun,Maurice Defo,Hua Ge,Michael Lacasse,R Černý,J Kočí,V Kočí

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201928202081

Sahar Sahyoun, Maurice Defo + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201928202081

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Abstract

To mitigate the effects of climate change, higher insulation levels in buildings are mandated by the National Energy Code for Buildings. However, increased insulation levels within building envelopes may lead to a greater risk of moisture problems. With a changing climate, higher rainfall intensity, stronger winds and more storms are expected, which may increase wind-driven rain loads on façade and risks for rain penetration damages of building envelopes. This paper aims to present results of the effects of climate change on the freeze-thaw damage risk of internally insulated brick masonry walls of buildings in different Canadian cities, using different freeze-thaw models. Freeze-thaw damage was evaluated using different freeze-thaw models. Simulations were performed using DELPHIN 5.9.4. Results showed potential risk to freeze-thaw in Montreal and Vancouver after retrofit. Under climate change, Winnipeg has the lowest risk to frost damage, though damage functions showed an increase in the level of severity. Comparing the results of different models under a changing climate, the damage functions seemed in a good agreement for most of the cases, except for the Indicative Freeze-Thaw Cycles (IFTC) evaluated in St-Johns. This model counts the number of freeze-thaw cycles based on short duration of freezing and thawing and therefore does not consider longer freeze-thaw period.

Highlights

Brick masonry is the most conventional way brick was used in older Canadian construction for centuries
This study investigates the impact of climate change on the durability of typical masonry wall assemblies retrofitted with interior insulation in 5 Canadian cities
Results indicated that Winnipeg has the lowest risk to frost damage, though damage functions showed an increase in the level of severity over a changing climate

Summary

Introduction

Brick masonry is the most conventional way brick was used in older Canadian construction for centuries. Buildings with thick solid brick walls allow the masonry mass to resist water penetration and offer a barrier between interior and exterior environments. The need to save energy has led to thermally insulated buildings. Due to historical and aesthetical values of the building stock, interior retrofitting seems the only option, despite increased durability risks. This durability problem raised concerns about the proper application of interior insulation [1].

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