The BeTOP facility for performance testing of building systems

Abstract

Proposing new materials and systems to improve buildings' performance and energy efficiency often requires testing their performance in the field. Experimental performance characterization of new and existing building systems is crucial to understanding their behaviour. Full-scale experimental test cell facilities have been at the forefront of experimental performance evaluation in building-related research, as they provide a realistic representation of buildings, including environmental conditions, assembling challenges, and operational characteristics. In this paper, trends in the design and construction of outdoor testing facilities are first discussed. Then, based on the current literature and the knowledge gained through visits to multiple facilities, the new test cell facility “BeTOP”, located in Toronto (Ontario), is described. BeTOP is a full-scale experimental facility with the capacity to perform multiple experimental tests simultaneously. This paper describes its characteristics, including structure details, testing capabilities, system details, current monitoring campaigns, and future testing potential. The paper concludes by showing that the design of a full-scale testing facility is crucial to observe the long-term performance of new systems under variable boundary conditions in a continental climate with cold winters and hot and humid summers.