This paper presents the history, current status, and plans for a project to test the flood damage resistance of various energyefficient residential building systems under field conditions. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Tuskegee University are developing this three-task project as part of the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). Task I has accomplished the planning and design of the experimental facilities, test modules, and protocol development for the project, which is reported in this paper. Task II began in early 2001and is testing both traditional residential envelopes and those with potential flood damage resistance under representative flooding (wetting) and drying conditions. The response of envelope systems to flood-induced structural damage and to the impact of various waterborne contaminants is not currently addressed by this project. Task III will develop computer models to predict the performance of materials and systems under various flooding and drying conditions.

Authors: Robert L. Wendt; Heshmat H. Aglan, Ph.D., P.E.; Timothy Barrows, P.E.

Citation: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VIII

Keywords: December, Florida, 2001