Tags: #buildingdesign #buildingenclosures #buildingenvelopes #buildingmaterials #buildingproducts #buildingscience #facecolumn #materialsscience #roguetesting #waterresistance
ABSTRACT: A novel test apparatus is described for evaluating Water-Resistive Barriers (WRBs) and their system components. The ‘Face Column’ represents a thin layer of water expressed vertically against a continuous surface or interfacing component planes. It is designed specifically to convey a range of hydrostatic pressures simultaneously along a single vertical gradient. The concept is highly adaptable to accommodate preferred specimen size, column heights, and multiple component interfaces such as fasteners, joints, tapes, sealants, and liquid flashing. Applications are discussed in context with a proposed shift from current single-component testing to WRB System evaluation.