The effects of local microclimatic conditions of highly urban environment on hygrothermal performance of building envelopes

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The hourly weather data that are usually used as indicators of environmental loadings on building envelopes are not always sufficient. Studies show that accuracy of the heat-air-moisture (HAM) transfer simulations and calculated wind driven rain (WDR) amounts and intensities results are, to a large extent, determined by the time resolution of the meteorological input data (Blocken et al, 2007; Blocken and Carmeliet, 2007). It is highly recommended that high-resolution data (e.g. 10-min data) be used for more accurate simulation results. In establishing her new research program at Ryerson that coincides with the development of Ryerson's newly approved Masters of Building Science (starting September 2008), this applicant is planning to include such data in studying HAM performance and WRD distribution on building envelopes, and further investigate such hypothesis. Specifically, this project will study the influence of microclimatic environmental loads that exists in urban downtown environment in the City of Toronto on hygrothermal performance of various exterior wall assemblies in real time, over at least 3 seasons, combining experimentation and simulation. It will compare results of HAM performance simulation based on high-resolution data acquired on site, simulation based on hourly data from the airport weather station and experimentation data. This project will provide training and research work for 7 Masters of Building Science students over 5 years, as well as opportunities for participation for several undergraduate students. The results of this research will contribute to expanding the knowledge on accuracy and appropriateness of weather data used in building performance simulation, a research question raised among researchers in Canada and worldwide.