Retrofit cavity insulation

Claire · Post by **Claire** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:25 am -1100

Could anyone give be some guidance on how to simulate a cavity wall which has been retrofitted with insulation? I have already run an assembly with a moisture source through the exterior with a 1% driving rain factor but i'm seeing little difference when the moisture source isn't present.

Any help would be grateful
Claire

Christian Bludau · Post by **Christian Bludau** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:08 am -1100

Hello Claire,
go to the climate window for the exterior climate and press "analyze". In the right diagram you can see the main direction for driven rain. Change the orientation of your wall to this direction.
Christian

Claire · Post by **Claire** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:12 am -1100

I have just changed the orientation but there is still no difference in the moisture content. Any other ideas?

Thanks
Claire

Christian Bludau · Post by **Christian Bludau** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:39 pm -1100

Check the output for the moisture source. You can export that in ASCII-Export or see it in the Graphic View. You´re sure, that there is rain in your climatic file? What climate location do you use? Can you give some more info about your assembly? Materials...
Christian

Claire · Post by **Claire** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:29 am -1100

There is definitely rain for my climate, its an area in the lake district, UK, which has the most rainfall per year. My assembly consists of:
-Acrylic stucco (moisture source)
-Solid brick masonry (moisture source)
-Insulation
-Concrete block
-Lime plaster
-Gypsum plaster

Should i increase the moisture content of each of the materials as they would have already experienced many years of rain penetration?

Thanks
Claire