Application of a full-scale testing facility for assessing wind-driven-rain intrusion

A new full-scale testing apparatus generically named the Wall of Wind (WoW) has been built by the researchers at the International Hurricane Research Center. The paper discusses the development of a full-scale testing methodology that can be adopted for assessing wind-driven-rain intrusion through the building envelope. The current phase of FIU's WoW is capable of testing full-scale single story building models subjected up to 56 m/s (125 mph) wind speeds and 762 mm/h (30 in./h) of rain. Emphasis has been placed on generating a wind field with a proper boundary-layer profile and turbulence characteristics. Artificial rain has been generated by continuously pumping water through a plumbing system with regularly placed spray nozzles. A large wind and wind-driven-rain field 6.7 m wide by 4.8 m high (∼22 ft wide by ∼16 ft high) has been produced, which can engulf the test specimen completely. For example, an assessment of roof secondary water barrier effectiveness in preventing water intrusion is presented. Six different roof secondary water barriers have been investigated. The amount of water intruded through the secondary water barrier and the visual observation of failure have been used as performance indexes. In addition, external and internal pressure measurements, required to explain rain intrusion mechanisms were carried out. Roof slope effects on water intrusion have been investigated by testing three different slopes (2:12, 4:12 and 6:12). Results indicated the following (i) as the slope increases the intrusion decreases, (ii) self-adhered secondary water barrier performed better than nailed secondary water barriers, and (iii) heavy secondary water barriers performed better than light secondary water barriers.