High-resolution field measurements of wind-driven rain on an array of low-rise cubic buildings

Abstract

Wind-driven rain (WDR) is one of the most important moisture sources with potential negative effects on the hygrothermal performance and durability of building facades. The impact of WDR on building envelopes can be understood in a better way when the WDR intensity distribution can be accurately predicted. Most field experiments of WDR reported in the literature focused on either stand-alone buildings or on buildings in geometrically complex environments. There is a need for high-resolution measurements in more generic and idealized multi-building configurations. The present study reports WDR measurements that were conducted with high spatial and temporal resolution in a test setup consisting of an array of 9 low-rise cubic building models, located in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Detailed descriptions are provided of the building models, the surroundings, the measuring instruments, the measurements of WDR, wind speed, wind direction, horizontal rainfall intensity and air temperature during three selected rain events, as well as error estimates for the WDR measurements. The datasets of rain events and WDR measurement results are made available online to download and are intended for WDR model development and validation.