High Performance Stucco to Optimize Moisture Management in Wood-Frame Stucco Walls

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Volume 36, Issue 6 (November 2008)

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ISSN: 0090-3973
Published Online: 5 August 2008
Page Count: 10

High Performance Stucco to Optimize Moisture Management in Wood-Frame Stucco Walls
Mukhopadhyaya, Phalguni
Research Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario

Kumaran, Kumar
Principal Research Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario

Plescia, Silvio
Senior Researcher, Technical Research Division, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Ontario

Lackey, John
Technical Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario

Normandin, Nicole
Technical Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario

van Reenen, David
Technical Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario

(Received 18 September 2007; accepted 7 July 2008)

Abstract

Stucco or portland cement plaster is widely used in North America as an exterior cladding material for the wood-frame walls. Recent computer-based numerical simulation studies at the National Research Council (NRC) Canada, Institute for Research in Construction (IRC) have indicated that low liquid diffusivity and high water vapor permeability of the stucco material can positively influence the overall moisture management capacity of wood-frame stucco walls. This paper presents the results from experimental and numerical modeling studies carried out at the NRC-IRC on the development of high performance stucco materials and its effect on the overall moisture management capability of wood-frame stucco walls. Liquid water and water vapor transmission properties of several commercial/conventional stucco materials and some newly formulated compositions were measured and compared under laboratory conditions. The experimental results suggest that by appropriate choice of the mix composition, addition of a proper hydrophobic admixture, and using aggregates with a hydrophobic coating, stucco material with lower liquid water diffusivity can be produced without reducing the water vapor permeability. The results from the numerical modeling study show newly developed high performance stucco materials can significantly improve the moisture management capability of wood-frame stucco walls.

Keywords:
high performance stucco, water vapor permeability, water absorption, wood-frame stucco walls

Paper ID: JTE101447
DOI: 10.1520/JTE101447
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

Author Title High Performance Stucco to Optimize Moisture Management in Wood-Frame Stucco Walls Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E06

		Home Journals STPs Manuals Topics Subscriptions/Pricing Digital Library / Journals / Journal of Testing and Evaluation (JTE) / Citation Page Volume 36, Issue 6 (November 2008) Click here to download this paper now for $25 PDF (368K) View License Agreement ISSN: 0090-3973 Published Online: 5 August 2008 Page Count: 10 High Performance Stucco to Optimize Moisture Management in Wood-Frame Stucco Walls Mukhopadhyaya, Phalguni Research Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario Kumaran, Kumar Principal Research Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario Plescia, Silvio Senior Researcher, Technical Research Division, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Ontario Lackey, John Technical Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario Normandin, Nicole Technical Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario van Reenen, David Technical Officer, Institute for Research in Construction, Ontario (Received 18 September 2007; accepted 7 July 2008) Abstract Stucco or portland cement plaster is widely used in North America as an exterior cladding material for the wood-frame walls. Recent computer-based numerical simulation studies at the National Research Council (NRC) Canada, Institute for Research in Construction (IRC) have indicated that low liquid diffusivity and high water vapor permeability of the stucco material can positively influence the overall moisture management capacity of wood-frame stucco walls. This paper presents the results from experimental and numerical modeling studies carried out at the NRC-IRC on the development of high performance stucco materials and its effect on the overall moisture management capability of wood-frame stucco walls. Liquid water and water vapor transmission properties of several commercial/conventional stucco materials and some newly formulated compositions were measured and compared under laboratory conditions. The experimental results suggest that by appropriate choice of the mix composition, addition of a proper hydrophobic admixture, and using aggregates with a hydrophobic coating, stucco material with lower liquid water diffusivity can be produced without reducing the water vapor permeability. The results from the numerical modeling study show newly developed high performance stucco materials can significantly improve the moisture management capability of wood-frame stucco walls. Keywords: high performance stucco, water vapor permeability, water absorption, wood-frame stucco walls Paper ID: JTE101447 DOI: 10.1520/JTE101447 ASTM International is a member of CrossRef. Author Title High Performance Stucco to Optimize Moisture Management in Wood-Frame Stucco Walls Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E06