A111D2 IVnVD

NATL INST OF STANDARDS & TECH R.I.C.

A1 1102171970

United States. Natlo/Bullding technology QC100 .U57 V446-8;1984 C.I NBS-PUB-C 197

1983 - 1984

BUILDING

TECHNOLOGY

PROJECT

SUMMARIES

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Bureau of Standards

Special Publication 446-8

-QC —

100

.U57

446-8

;984
!I

If
1983-1984

BUILDING

TECHNOLOGY

PROJECT

SUMMARIES

Special Publication 446-8

Editors

Noel Raufaste

Michael Olmert

Center for Building Technology

National Engineering Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

U.S. Department of Commerce

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued June 1984
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 446-8

Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 446-8, 137 pages (June 1984)

CODEN: XNBSAV

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1984
FOREWORD

The building research program of the National Bureau of Standards, the Nation's central

engineering measurements laboratory, is conducted by its Center for Building Technology (CBT).

CBT works cooperatively with other organizations, private and public, to improve building practices

It conducts laboratory, field, and analytical research. It develops technologies to predict,

measure, and test the performance of building materials, components, systems, and practices.

This knowledge is required for responsible and cost-effective decisions in the building process

and cannot be obtained through proprietary research and development. CBT provides technologies

needed by the building community to achieve the benefits of advanced computation and automation.

CBT does not promulgate building standards or regulations, but its technologies are widely used

in the building industry and adopted by governmental and private organizations that have standards

and codes responsibilities.

Construction is one of the Nation's largest industries. It amounted to about $260 billion,

9 percent of the GNP, in 1983. About 70 percent of the Nation's wealth is invested in constructed

facilities that shelter and support almost all human activities. Effective building decisions

require sound technical bases. CBT is the only comprehensive, non-proprietary laboratory in the

U.S. dedicated to meeting the measurement needs of the building community.

CBT research provides knowledge for ^decisionmaking. This knowledge includes characterization

of the environments in which buildings must operate (such as wind loadings), characterization

and definition of the performance of buildings, components, and systems (such as the mechanisms

for heat loss through a window or wall cladding element), and methods of testing for performance

qualities that will apply equitably to a whole family of potentially competitive proprietary

materials and components

.

The CBT staff of 160 includes 100 professionals, of whom 30 are registered professional

engineers and 50 hold doctorates. The principal disciplines are structural, geotechnical

,

materials, electrical, and mechanical engineering, physics, and chemistry. CBT programs include:

computer-integrated construction, structural safety, earthqake hazards reduction, building physics,

building equipment, quality of building materials, and cement hydration.

Among the variety of special facilities and equipment at CBT are a universal testing machine

with a 12-mil lion-pound capacity that is capable of testing structural components 60 feet in

height; a tri-directional structural testing facility capable of applying displacements in three

directions simulataneously to full-scale structural components and systems; seven environmental

chambers, including a 30 x 40 x 50 ft. chamber, for developing thermal performance modeling
techniques required for predicting human comfort and energy efficiency of buildings; a guarded

hot-plate that measures insulation performance to thicknesses up to 14 inches; a calibrated

hot-box to provide precise measurements of heat and moisture transfer in full-scale building wall

and roof sections; a five-story plumbing research laboratory with high-speed computer data

acquisition system to study the performance of water supply and drainage systems; reverberation

and anechoic chambers, each 15,000 ft^, to define acoustical parameters for building materials

and methods to evaluate acoustical performance; daylighting laboratories; illumination color

laboratory capable of presenting eight light sources independently; outdoor solar-collector

test-method development area, including a passive solar test house and facilities for experimental

solar heating and cooling systems; a network of outdoor material exposure sites; and a materials

research laboratory with a scanning electron microscope and other instruments for materials

characterization

This report summarizes CBT's research for 1983-1984, and is arranged according to CBT's

seven research programs. Each summary lists the project title, its progress, point of contact

in CBT, and sponsor. The reader is encouraged to review the companion document, NBS Special

Publication 457, Building Technology Publications , and its supplements. Final reports on the

projects described here will be listed in future issues of Building Technology Publications .

iv
ABBREVIATIONS

AAaniU A A CUTn American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

AODl? Advisory Board on the Built Environment

ACi American Concrete Institute

Architecture-Engineering-Construction

ATA American Institute of Architects

AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory

am<;t American National Standards Institute

AP T Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Society of Sanitary Engineers

A QTM American Society for Testing Materials

AQUP Al? American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

A c\n7 American Society for Mechanical Engineers

RT?PP Building Energy Conservation Criteria

DCir O Building Energy Performance Standards

TIT A CT A Computer Program Dealing with Building Energy Loads

TIMT DlNLi Brookhaven National Laboratory

Rnr* A Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc

iJUri Bureau of Mines

n c o Building Science Series

BSSC Building Seismic Safety Council

BUR Built-Up Rooting

CABO Council of American Building Officials

CAD Computer—Aided Design

CBT Center for Building Technology

Codes Community Committee

Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory

L<oiic> LLUCLxuii EiiigxneeL ing txeseaircn LiaDULauoiry v,u»l>» al my / X LL LC L lid u XLI LldX L«ULIlld.J. i.LIL DUXXUXlLg IxCOCdLv^Ll, OUUUXCO, dLLU L/U CUiucII L d. U J. U11 LfOllo L L UC L XUn XIiaUbLLi.cb v^UULaXlldLXIlg V/OlulIlX L U6c

i. LL L LLd L J-VjLLd J. V^ULUUlXo aXU LI VJLl X XX UlUX LLdt. XLILl Color Rendering Index

rcA UOA uunununx uy oervxces AamxnxscLauxoii

V>D J. M 1 irtiQ 1" PY* /I n t* C o f Q ^ I'rtTtim 4 001 VjOIloUnicX rXOQUCL odXcLy oummxboxuii

CPT \_#(JIIC! 1: C Lie L L d L X LILl XcoU Department of Defense

UOtlt Department of Energy

I7T A Energy Information Agency

Energy Monitoring and Control Systems KPA Environmental Protection Agency

1^1: un Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer

IJO i. Equivalent Square Illumination

Eli iU Envelope Thermal Testing Unit

T7A A r AA Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Construction Council

VTrMA r EiMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

r CiKLi Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

tHWA Federal Highway Administration

FPL Forest Product Laboratory

GSA General Services Administration

TJTTO HHb Department of Health and Human Services

HUU Department of Housing and Urban Development

in? nVAOAT Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning

lAQ Indoor Air Quality

ICBO International Conference of Building Officials

ICSSC Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

lERI Illuminating Engineering Research Institute

lES Illuminating Engineering Society

IE SNA Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

V
!

IGES Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

ISO International Standards Organization

LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory

LBL Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

NAHB National Association of Home Builders

NBS National Bureau of Standards

NBSIR National Bureau of Standards Interagency Report

NBSLD National Bureau of Standards Load Deteraination (A Computer Program)

NCSBCS National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards

NDE Nondestructive Evaluation

NIBS National Institute of Building Sciences

NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

NML National Measurement Laboratory

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NPS National Park Service

NRG Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NRCC National Research Council (Canada)

NSF National Science Foundation

ORNL Oak Ridge National Laboratory

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PBS Public Buildings Service

PBS/BSP PBS Building Systems Program

PMMA Polymethylmethacrylate

PVC Polyvinyl Chloride

RILEM International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials

and Structures

RSV Reduced-Size Venting

SAE Society of Automative Engineers

SASE Standards Analysis, Synthesis, and Expression Software

SERI Solar Energy Research Institute

SPI Standard Penetration Tests

SRM Standard Reference Materials

TARP Thermal Analysis Research Program

UBC Uniform Building Code

USGS United States Geological Survey

USNC/CIB United States National Committee/National Council for Building Research,

Studies , and Documenation

VA Veterans Administration

vi
CONTENTS

Page

Computer-Integrated Representation and Analysis of Construction

Construction standards and Specifications 2 Format for Model Building Codes 3 Standards Interface for Computer-Alded Structural

Design 4 Computer System for Concrete Forming and Shoring 5 Expert System for Durable Concrete 6 Expert System to Diagnose Mr-Leakage Problems

In Complex Buildings 7 Prototype Expert System for Optimizing Building

Operation 8 Construction Project Information Technologies 9 Economic Methods for Building Standards 10

Structural Safety Criteria for Structural Loads and Design 12 Analysis of General Combinations of Loads 13

Criteria for Design of Cladding Subjected to Wind Loads 14 Behavior of Glass Cladding Subjected to Wind Loads 15

CBT Wind Tunnel 16 Probabilistic Risk Assessments of Tornado Missile

Damage 17 Rellablllty-Based Design of Containments and Category

I Structures 18

Assessment of the Uncertainties and Risk Associated With

the Dynamic Behavior of Compliant Offshore Structures 19 Mat Foundations for Offshore Gravity Structures In Arctic Regions 20

Punching Shear Capacity of Reinforced Shell 21

Soil Test Probe 22 Gage for Measurement of Dynamic Soil Stresses 23

Measurement of* Thermal Soil Properties 24 Standards for Foundations and Excavations 25

Development of Safety-Net Standards for Construction 26

Impact Loads in Concrete Building Construction 27

NDT Methods for Concrete 28

Structural Condition Assessment Standards 29

Assessment of Emerging Technologies for Future

Office Building Structural and Enclosure Systems 30

High-Technology Federal Office Buildings 31 Earthquake Hazards Technical Assessment of Earthquake-Resistant Design

Reduction provisions 33

Support to the Interagency Committee on Seismic

Safety in Construction 34 Strength and Response of Structures to Earthquake

Loading 35 Large-scale Bridge Columns Subjected to Reversed

Cyclic Loading 36

Cyclic Loading of Masonry Building Components 37

Geotechnlcal Measurement of In-Sltu Soil Properties 38

Evaluation and Expansion of Liquefaction Data Base 39

Cyclic Strain Approach to the Determination of

Liquefaction Potential of Level Sandy Sites 40

Building Physics calibrated Hot-Box Conduction Transfer Functions 42

Heat-Flux Meter Characteristics 43

Convection Within Low-Density Insulation 44 Thermal Resistance Calibration Standard 45

Envelope Thermal Testing Unit 46

vii
CONTENTS (Continued)

Page

Building Pliysics Field Measurements of Wall Thermal Mass 47 Thermal Mass Effects on Residential Cooling and Heating 48

Evaluation of Thermal Anomalies 49 Heat Loss Through Thermal Bridges 50 Multi-Room Thermal Modeling 51

Wall Systems Air Leakage Research 52 Field Wall-Component Tester 53

Convective Air Movement in Buildings 54 Large-Building Air Movement 55 Indoor Air Quality of Office Buildings 56 Underground Heat Distribution Systems 57 Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation 58 Thermal Performance of Low-Slope Roofs 59

Standards Requirements for the Weatherization

Assistance Program 60

Acoustic Measurements in Buildings 61

Prevention of Traffic Noise Problems 62

Daylighting Studies 63

CEL-1 Lighting Program 64

Opponent-Color Approach to Color Appearance 65

Effect of Chromatic Adoption (Color Rendering and

Color Appearance) 66

Lighting Quality Guidelines 67

Lighting Roundtable III 68

Color Calibrator for Weather Radar 69

Safety Colors and Signs in Workplaces 70

Discriminability Features of Secure Documents 71

Building Equipment Heat Pump and Alr-Condltloner Test Procedures 73 Performance of Non-Azeotropic Binary Refrigerant

Mixture in Residential Heat Pumps 74 Refrigerant Mixture Measurements in Two-Phase Flow 75

Water Heater Studies 76

Furnace, Boiler, and Household Appliance Test

Procedures 77 Household Appliance Data Update 78

Systems and Controls Laboratory 79 Test Methods and Evaluation Procedures for Controllers 80

Controls Dynamic Modeling 81

Controls Modeling Workshop 82

Energy Analysis of Control Strategies 83

Energy Monitoring and Control System Algorithms 84

Measurement of Buoyancy-Induced Liquid Flows 85

Numerical Modeling of Multi-Story Building Drainage

Systems 86

Performance Testing of Solar Collectors 87

Laboratory Accreditation: Solar Collector Testing 88

Investigation of Control Strategies to Improve

Solar Systems Performance 89 Thermal Test Methods: Solar-Assisted Heat Pumps and

Cooling Components and Systems 90

Thermal Performance of Passive Solar Apertures

and Storage Components 91 Evaluation of Integrated Collector Storage Systems 92

Consulting and Advisory Services: Active Solar Heating

and Cooling 93

Passive Solar Energy, Class A Data Program 94

Radiative Heat-Transfer Modeling and Radiation

Measurement 95

Validation of New Heat Transfer Algorithms 96

Second-Law Analysis of Solar Water Systems 97

viii
CONTENTS (Continued)

Page

Validation of Improved Performance Model for Solar

Collectors 98

Systems Effectiveness Research 99

Technical Committee Assistance 100

Technical Problem Assessment 101

Mechanical Equipment Criteria for Multi-Story Buildings.... 102

Thermal Performance Testing: Movable Insulation 103

Air Quality Criteria for Archival Storage 104

Technical Support to DoE 105

Quality of Building organic coatings 107

Materials Degradation of Organic Protective Coatings 108

Nondestructive Early Detection of Corrosion and

Delamination Under Protective Coatings Using the

Thermal Wave Method 109

Performance of Porous Inorganic Materials 110

Application of Life-Test Analysis Concepts to Building Materials Ill

Effects of Acid Rain on Building Stone 112

Development of Tests for Predicting Adhesive-Bond

Durability 113

Evaluation of Single-Ply Roofing Systems 114

Bonded Seams in Single-Ply Roofing Membranes 115

Probabilistic Study of Single-Ply Roofing Membranes 116

Performance of Residential Siding 117

Standards for High-Security Glazing Materials 118

Evaluation of Optical Techniques for Measuring Absorber

Materials Degradation 119

Environmental Degradation of Polymeric Cover

Materials for Solar Collectors 120

Measurement Techniques for Evaluating Reflector

Materials 121

Standards for Phase-Change Storage Materials 122

High-Specific-Heat Passive-Storage Media 123

Tri-Services Technical and Scientific Support 124

AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (ARML) 125

Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory 126

Cement Hydration cement Hydration Competence Project 128

Ix

COMPUTER-INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION

In this new research area, CBT is advancing the state of the art of

expert systems and other computer-based technologies for building

design and construction. This knowledge will assist in developing

methods to assess building standards and techniques, to improve

building diagnostics, and to raise the quality of the built environment.

Representation and Analysis of Construction Standards and

Specifications

Format for Model Building Codes

Standards Interface for Computer-Aided Structural Design

Computer System for Concrete Forming and Shoring

Expert System for Durable Concrete

Expert System to Diagnose Air-Leakage Problems in Complex

Buildings

Prototype Expert System for Optimizing Building Operation

Construction Project Information Technologies

Economic Methods for Building Standards

1
REPRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

AND SPECIFICATIONS

Fred I. Stahl

(301) 921-2140

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

CBT has sponsored with the Office of Product Standards Policy the development

of Standards Analysis, Synthesis and Expression Software (SASE). SASE is built

upon the work of CBT researchers and others, and is a systematic method for the

analysis of standards, codes, and specifications. SASE now supports key standards

analysis work in progress within CBT and is directly associated with other CBT

research on the standards interface for computer-aided design, and on the development

of expert systems for building design, construction, and operation.

During FY 83, CBT researchers proof-tested the SASE software in connection with

various application tasks, most notably an analysis of ACT 318-1977 (Chapter 4) and

a project sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission intended to develop a common

format for the model building codes. The proof-testing exercises contributed

substantially to an understanding of SASE's capabilities, and led to the formulation

of SASE modifications and enhancements

.

During FY 84 , work will focus on specifying links between SASE concepts and

project-specif icatibn-consistency analysis (under a cooperative research program

with Carnegie-Mellon University), CAD standards interface technology (under a

cooperative research program with the University of Illinois) , and expert system

technology.

2
FORMAT FOR MODEL BUILDING CODES

Fred I. Stahl

(301) 921-2140

Structures Division

Sponsor : Federal Trade Commission

The three U.S. model codes exist in three formats. These differences tend to

increase costs and risks for designers, builders, and manufacturers working in

multiple code jurisdictions; increase regulatory barriers to the introduction of

new technology; increase costs and risks of losses for building owners; make comparisons of technical requirements in the model codes extremely difficult; and

provide barriers to reconciliation of differences in the model codes. In addition,

imperfections in the format of each individual code make it difficult to find

provisions applicable to specific technical situations. As a result, the user is

often unsure if all provisions have been found, and whether relationships among

the provisions have been interpreted correctly. Such imperfections tend to increase

errors and costs in construction, and to create costly barriers to the introduction

of new and improved technologies

.

Associated with this project, a Codes Community Committee (CCC) , including

persons knowledgeable in model code development and use, has been organized under

the auspices of the National Institute for Building Sciences. The CCC's function

is to develop a consensus recommendation for a uniform model code format. CBT

will provide technical support for the project in: analyzing the qualities required

of the format; providing information for defining the scope to be reflected in the

model codes; providing alternative organizations from which the CCC may select one

or more fitting the needs of model code users; and providing an index that will

define the location of all attributes and entities covered by the scope of each of

the three model codes.

Improved format for model building codes offers possibilities for improving

the quality of building regulations, enhancing opportunities for the introduction

of new building technology, and reducing building costs.

3
STANDARDS INTERFACE FOR COMPUTER-AIDED STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Fred I. Stahl

(301) 921-2140

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Computer-aided design (CAD) is critical to the improvement of construction

productivity. Computers increasingly are being used in the production of engineering

drawings and related contract documents; however, the effective use of computers

during design remains impeded by inefficient automated procedures for checking

project-specific design conditions against generic requirements couched within

building codes, standards, and project specifications. In particular, designers of

commerically available structural engineering software systems have "hard coded"

generic requirements into their programs, and as result, such software periodically

are rendered obsolete as standard-writing bodies alter the contents of provisions.

The need to maintain design software both current and also applicable across

jurisidictional boundaries is critical to the effective use of CAD systems.

However, the periodic maintenance of "hard coded" standards data can be extremely

costly.

Currently CBT research on the standards interface for CAD suggests that this

problem can be reduced by physically separating generic standards data from checking

and other routines within CAD software systems. A prototype system based on this

concept is under development, and FY 83 work has resulted in the initial elements

of an experimental CAD standards interface . The remaining impediment blocking a

functional interface, the lack of data mapping techniques for linking generic

data described in standards with contextual data contained in a design project

database, is the subject of FY 84 work.

Concepts developed here are expected to significantly reduce the time required

to produce more optimal building designs, to make CAD systems less costly to develop

and maintain, and to enable the comparative evaluation of building designs under

alternative versions of standards.

4
COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR CONCRETE FORMING AND SHORING

John L. Gross

(301) 921-3146

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

To enhance the productivity and safety of multi-story concrete construction, a

computer-based system will be developed to enable the contractor to make timely

decisions regarding removal of shores and formwork, placement of construction loads,

and requirements for temporary bracing. The key aspect of such a system is that

it will incorporate a methodology to predict, on the basis of field data and insitu measurements, the margin of safety resulting from a planned construction

operation. This system will be based on real-time strength gain characteristics

and loading conditions. It will incorporate findings of previous work at CBT on

maturity of concrete and expand on the CBT model for loads on a structure due to

forming and shoring. With such a system, the contractor will have the capability

to determine such things as "If the temperature for the next few days averages

about 30 degrees below the seasonal normal, will it be safe to remove the reshores

on the fifth floor as scheduled?" In this way, the computer system will provide

both analytical and predictive information to the contractor. Ultimately, such a

system could take the form of a consultation-type computer-based expert system.

The information conveyed to the contractor will use state-of-the-art computer

graphic technology to ensure that such complex situations are fully understood

in time to respond.

5
EXPERT SYSTEM FOR DURABLE CONCRETE

James R. Clifton

(301) 921-3458

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Because of the potential importance of expert systems in selecting durable

building materials, knowledge of generic aspects of their development and use is

needed. Concrete was selected for developing a prototype expert system for building

materials selection for the following reasons. Concrete is the most widely-used manmade construction material in the world. In the United States alone over 700 million

tons of concrete are placed each year. Although a large knowledge base for selecting

constituents for making durable concrete is available, the knowledge is not easily

available to all who need it. The purpose of this project is to contribute to the

generic aspects of the methodologies for creating expert systems for selecting

building materials. This would be done by developing a pilot expert system of

artificial intelligence that will provide recommendations for the selection of

constituents for concretes subjected to a broad range of service conditions based

on an existing knowledge base. When successful, a more complete system will be

developed which, through the improved selection of materials, should result in

more durable and predictable concrete. Its development should be possible because

a large amount of specialized knowledge on the effects of constitutents on the

durability of concrete is possessed by material scientists and engineers. This

knowledge will form the bases for "if-then" rules.

In developing the expert system, the effects of the constituents of concrete

on its major deterioration processes will be identified. Deterioration processes

that will be considered include freezing and thawing, sulfate attack, corrosion

of reinforcement, and expansive reactions between cement and aggregates.

6
EXPERT SYSTEM TO DIAGNOSE AIR-LEAKAGE PROBLEMS IN

COMPLEX BUILDINGS

James Barnett

(301) 921-3633

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

CBT has recently developed a sophisticated computer program called TARP to

simulate simultaneous transfer of air, heat, moisture, and contaminants on a dynamic

basis. The program is a research tool and not suitable for use in a design or

control process. Introduction of an Expert System is needed to improve the program.

The first phase of this research is to develop a framework for using the

concepts of the Expert System in building air-circulation analysis and conduct a

feasibility study for incorporating its algorithms into TARP. Representation of

air motion, its phenomenological characteristics as well as known physical principles,

will be compiled into a data base , that can be used in forming the decisionmaking

algorithms

Different combinations of strategies for room geometry, openings, and ventilation

based upon a predetermined set of inference structures will be developed. The

decision strategies will be updated or referenced by the TARP analysis. The results

will then be used to determine the optimum method for controlling air leakage and

ventilation.

7
PROTOTYPE EXPERT SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING BUILDING OPERATION

William B. May

(301) 921-3839

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Most building managers and operators lack the experience necessary to analyze

the energy performance of existing buildings and their HVAC systems, evaluate the

benefit of various energy conservation measures, make decisions on controls,

measurements and instrumentation, and develop building-level strategies that optimize

the performance of entire building systems on an annual basis. As a result, most

buildings are operated very inefficiently and consume considerably more energy than

is necessary for maintaining comfort.

Under this project, energy consumption information will be generated as a

function of building design, HVAC system selection, operating strategies, climatic

conditions, and other important variables. Guidelines and recommended practices

will then be developed and incorporated into a prototype Expert System that will

provide guidance to building managers and operators in the analysis, measurement,

and decisionmaking processes necessary to develop strategies for upgrading building/

HVAC/control systems performance, to procedures that optimize the annual energy

performance of buildings, and to use diagnostic analysis/audit system performance.

8
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

Fred I. Stahl

(301) 921-2140

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Considerable work toward development of a uniform construction information

format already has been undertaken by such industry organizations as AIA, CSI, and

the McGraw-Hill Information Services Company. Techniques for modeling and organizing

the content of specifications have been developed at CBT, and these form the

technical basis for linking generic standards, project specifications, and analytical

data applications. However, there currently exist no standard protocols for organizing

building descriptive data within a CAD environment. As a result, each CAD vendor

has developed and implemented its own unique building data structure, and no two

competing systems can communicate with one another.

The need for effective data exchange between different CAD systems first was

expressed in connection with the manufacture of components for aircraft and other

mechanical systems. To mitigate this problem, ANSI has incorporated a version of

the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) into its standard "Engineering

Drawing and Related Documentation Practices—Digital Representations for Communication

of Product Definition Data" (Y14.26M). Most recently, CBT explored the need for

Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) extensions to IGES, and has formed the

IGES/AEC technical subcommittee. The central substantive issue underlying project

description data exchange concerns the nature of geometric and nongeometric building

characterization and measurement.

The objectives of this project are to explore the scope of IGES/AEC requirements,

to develop a technical framework of AEC attributes for implementation under EGES,

to identify needed research in the areas of building characterization and measurement,

and project information interfacing.

9
ECONOMIC METHODS FOR BUILDING STANDARDS

Harold E. Marshall

(301) 921-3701

Center for Applied Mathematics

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The building community needs sophisticated, practical methods and guidelines

for evaluating alternative building technologies in a consistent manner. The need

for standardized, improved methods and guidelines to help the building community

achieve affordable buildings that meet performance objectives stems in large part

from the rising costs of building materials, the high costs of construction due to

safety/environmental regulations, the alleged decline in construction productivity,

and the uncertain costs of energy.

In this project, economic methods and supporting analysis will be specially

developed for application to building problems. A background paper including the

topics of sensitivity analysis, probability analysis, risk analysis, and assumptions

will be prepared for use by the ASTM E06.81 Subcommittee on Building Economics.

Additional technical work' to be performed in support of E06.81 will be the preparation

of standard economic methods based on CBT technical reports, for various stages of

balloting in the ASTM standards-making process. These standard methods will include

the net benefits and internal rate of return methods, discounted and simple payback

methods, and benefit-to-cost and savings-to-investment ratio methods. Administrative

support in responding to technical criticisms in the ASTM balloting process will also

be provided. An important element in the CBT support is integrating ASTM and CBT

inputs so that the resulting standard is useful and consensus can be reached by ASTM.

Technical support will also be provided to the International Council for Building

Research, Studies, and Documentation (CIB) W.55 Working Commission on Building

Economics and the CIB W.67 Working Commission on Energy Conservation in the Built

Environment. For W.55, contributions will be made in developing measurement methods

in three areas: life-cycle costs, construction productivity, and impact of building

regulations. Technical leadership will be provided the U.S. Counterpart to CIB

Working Commission W.55 in bringing CBT and ASTM work on building economics to

the attention of CIB W.55 and CIB W.67.

10
STRUCTURAL SAFETY

Design loadings are a major factor in building safety and reliability.

The American National Standard A58 , Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and

Other Structures, is used as a basic resource by model building codes and

regulatory authorities. CBT research results included in the standard

contribute directly to safer, more reliable designs. CBT is developing

computer-based prediction and measurement techniques to assist in achieving

safe, serviceable, and cost-effective structures and foundations.

- Criteria for Structural Loads and Design

- Analysis of General Combinations of Loads

Criteria for Design of Cladding Subjected to Wind Loads

Behavior of Glass Cladding Subjected to Wind Loads

- CBT Wind Tunnel

Probabilistic Risk Assessments of Tornado Missile Damage

- Reliability-Based Design of Containments and Category I Structures

- Assessment of the Uncertainties and Risks Associated with the

Dynamic Behavior of Compliant Offshore Structures

- Mat Foundations for Offshore Gravity Structures in Arctic Regions

- Punching Shear Capacity of Reinforced Shell

- Soil Test Probe

- Gage for Measurement of Dynamic Soil Stresses

- Measurement of Thermal Soil Properties

- Standards for Foundations and Excavations

- Development of Safety-Net Standards for Construction

- Impact Loads in Concrete Building Construction

- NDT Methods for Concrete

Structural Condition Assessment Standards

- Assessment of Emerging Technologies for Future Office Building

Structural and Enclosure Systems

- High-Technology Federal Office Buildings

1 1
CRITERIA FOR STRUCTURAL LOADS AND DESIGN

Bruce Ellingwood

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Current structural design standards rely on different approaches to design,

depending on the material or construction technology used. This tends to complicate

design when different technologies are employed in the same structure. Differences

in design philosophy (e.g., ultimate strength vs. working stress design) and a

failure to consider uncertainties explicitly cause a lack of consistency in the

reliability and performance of different buildings. Considerable effort has

been devoted in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to solving these problems using the

unifying concept of limit-states design, along with a probabilistic treatment of

the uncertainties invariably found in engineering design.

Serviceability limit states include cracking in concrete members, slip in

bolted connections, and excessive static and dynamic deflection of floor systems

and frames. Engineering variables basic to serviceability limit states are

identified and statistically described from data in existing literature, where

possible. Full distribution and advanced first order, second moment reliability

analysis methods and load combination techniques are used to select appropriate

loads and load combinations for serviceability checking. Alternate design formats

for checking serviceability are also being investigated for the vibration limit

states, where preliminary research suggests that a factored load format may not

be appropriate.

Limit-states design criteria for wood structures and for engineered masonry

have yet to be developed. Tentative resistance criteria for these construction

materials are being developed that would be suitable for use with the probabilitybased criterion contained in ANSI A58. 1-1982.

The development of technology-independent design criteria for all limit states

would reduce building costs by simplifying the design process and stimulating

market competition between construction technologies. Improved serviceability

requirements would also result in less maintenance and increased occupant satisfaction.

12
ANALYSIS OF GENERAL COMBINATIONS OF LOADS

Bruce Ellingwood

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The prediction of extreme effects of structural loads has improved significantly

in recent years as a result of advances in two related areas: probabilistic

modeling of load processes and load combination analysis. Nevertheless, further

research is needed in this area because of the complexity and other limitations

of the methods available for load combination analysis. For example, these

methods become difficult to apply when three or more loads are acting simultaneously,

can examine only linear combinations of independent loads, with a few exceptions,

and are generally based on simplistic models developed to capture only load

extremes

The research is conducted jointly by the National Bureau of Standards and

Cornell University. The project proposes to continue efforts in the area of

probabilistic analysis of structural loads and will attempt to overcome some of

the limitations of the current methods for load combination analysis. A major

objective of the project is the development of a simple and general approach for

approximating the largest value distribution and other descriptors of individual

load effects and their combinations.

Eventually, the improved loading criteria would reduce building costs in

instances where current provisions are unnecessarily conservative, and would lead

to more uniform performance of buildings. Improved load requirements would ensure

safety, reduce maintenance, and increase occupant satisfaction.

13
CRITERIA FOR DESIGN OF CLADDING SUBJECTED TO WIND LOADS

Emil Simiu

(301) 921-3169

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Modern analytical and experimental tools from the fields of wind engineering

(directional extreme wind climatology, aerodynamics of bluff bodies in turbulent

boundary layer flows), nonlinear mechanics of plates, structural reliability,

and materials testing will be used in this project with a view to developing

rational criteria for cladding design. Data from full-scale and wind-tunnel

investigations of wind loads on cladding will be reviewed and studies will be

conducted to determine the effect of pressure time history (including frequency

content) on glass cladding load capacity. Research will also be conducted into

the feasibility of inferring glass cladding load capacity from testing of small

glass samples, rather than from destructive testing of actual cladding panels.

This research will be of use to the cladding industry, codes and standards

organizations, and Federal- agencies charged with developing criteria for reliability

and serviceability of structures.

14
BEHAVIOR OF GLASS CLADDING SUBJECTED TO WIND LOADS

Emil Sltnlu (301) 921-3169

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

This project will obtain data on the magnitude of the constants in the

relation between rate of subcritical crack growth and stress intensity factors,

and on the parameters of the probability distribution of initial glass strengths.

This will be done in cooperation with the Inorganic Materials Division, NML. A

reliability-based format for designing glass cladding for wind loads will be

developed that accounts realistically for both load and strength variability.

Consistent design procedures will reduce economic losses and the number of

accidents due to cladding damage in windstorms, and will lead to improved economy

by reducing overdesign in instances where current provisions are unnecessarily

conservative. This work also could lead to revisions of ASTM Standard E330

dealing with standard test methods for exterior glazing and curtain walls.

15
CBT WIND TUNNEL

Richard D. Marshall

(301) 921-2170

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

This project will support the aerodynamic and structural design of a NBS/NSF

regional boundary-flayer wind tunnel facility, liaison with the NBS Plant Division

concerning space modification, coordination of equipment procurement, and construction contracts. The effort will be coordinated to consider mechanical

engineering applications for the completed facility. Facility design will be

based in part on test data obtained from previous studies carried out on a 1/4-

scale model of the proposed tunnel, and on the recommendations of an NSF-supported

ad hoc advisory committee. In addition to providing new opportunities for

competence development, this facility will enable CBT to more effectively respond

to the wind-engineering research needs of other Federal agencies.

16
PROBABILISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT OF TORNADO MISSILE DAMAGE

Emil Simiu

(301) 921-3169

Structures Division

Sponsor: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Among the possible causes of damage to nuclear power plants is the impact of

objects, usually referred to as missiles, that are propelled by tornado winds.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires that the probability of tornadoborne missiles attaining critical speeds and hitting various nuclear-power plants

should meet certain criteria. This project is concerned with assessing reports

submitted by utilities to NRC concerning the effect of tornadoes on the safety of

various components of nuclear power plants.

The assessments will be carried out using probabilistic, statistical, and

numerical simulation tools, as well as information concerning frequency of

occurrence and physical characteristics of tornadoes, and aerodynamic characteristics and potential number and location of objects susceptible of becoming

tornado-borne. This work will assist NRC in ensuring acceptably small risks of

accident in the operation of nuclear-power plants.

17
RELIABILITY-BASED DESIGN OF CONTAINMENTS AND CATEGORY I STRUCTURES

Bruce Ellingwood

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: Brookhaven National Laboratory

The unpredictable nature of the possible loads on nuclear power structures,

as well as uncertainties in structural properties and behavior, suggest a

probabilistic approach to an assessment of structural safety and performance.

This means that safety and performance should be determined according to acceptable

levels of risk or required levels of reliability. Structural reliability theory

already has been applied to earthquake engineering, wind engineering, ocean

engineering, aerospace structures, and in the development of load factors, load

combinations, and resistance factors for ordinary building construction.

In the nuclear industry, there has also been a trend toward the use of

statistical analysis and probability theory for safety evaluations. This is

particularly the case for seismic Category I structures for which rational methods

for reliability evaluation of strength and loads are urgently needed. It can be

expected that structural designers and regulatory authorities will take advantage

of these methods if they do not lead to significant additional complexities at

the design level.

Under this joint project with BNL, CBT will has responsibility for the

analysis of service and extreme environmental loads and for developing the basic

load combination methodology and procedures for calculating the load factors.

BNL has responsibility for analyzing accidental loads, postulating accident

scenarios, dynamic structural analysis of the nuclear structures, and testing

the design procedures.

18
ASSESSMENT OF THE UNCERTAINITIES AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH

THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF COMPLIANT OFFSHORE STRUCTURES

Emil Simiu

(301) 921-3169

Structures Division

Sponsor: Minerals Management Service

Modern structural reliability techniques will be used to estimate nominal failure

probabilities of such structures and to assess their structural safety. For

selected types of compliant offshore structures, this project will provide detailed

mathematical models of the limit states that may occur as a result of their

dynamic behavior under wind and wave action.

Researchers will review fundamentals, practical methodologies, and computer

programs pertaining to structural reliability, will obtain suitable computer

programs for estimation of failure risk based on Monte Carlo simulations, and

maintain close contact with the American Bureau of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas,

Navy Department, and other agencies with an interest in structural reliability of

compliant offshore structures.

19
MAT FOUNDATIONS FOR OFFSHORE GRAVITY STRUCTURES IN

ARCTIC REGIONS

Felix Y. Yokel

(301) 921-2647

Structures Division

Sponsor: Minerals Management Service

Offshore gravity structures that are planned for the Beauford Sea will have

to survive in one of the most hostile environments on earth. The structures will be

built in moderate ocean depth (60m range) and will rest on mat foundations.

There is no past service record on which the design of the structures can be

based. The structures will have to resist very large dynamic environmental loads

which include ice thrust and ice floe impact, waves, wind and earthquake.

Extremely difficult soil conditions will be encountered, including unstable

deposits which are frozen but close to the melting point and thus sensitive to

minor changes in thermal regime. Very little is known about the problems associated

with these deposits, such as characteristics of permafrost in a saline environment

and possible effects of gas hydrates under melting conditions. Other problems

include bottom irregularities resulting from ice gouging and soil liquefaction

caused by wave action and other dynamic loads. There is a need to define design

limit states and associated load and resistance functions.

CBT will conduct a state-of-the-art study and a review of planned design

procedures. Design limit states will be identified and defined and an assessment

will be made of the uncertainties associated with the determination of the relevant

load and resistance parameters. Gaps in our knowledge and data base will be

identified, which limits our ability to deal with the problem in a manner which

will ensure safety and environmental protection at a reasonable cost.

I

20
PUNCHING SHEAR CAPACITY OF REINFORCED SHELL

H. S. Lew

(301) 921-2647

Structures Division

Sponsor: Minerals Management Service

Concrete offshore structures offer great potential for the safe and economical

development of mineral reserves in the Arctic region. These structures are normally

built in temperature climates and towed to the Arctic. It is desirable that these

structures be built of lightweight high-strength concrete. Under high intensity

load, these structures may experience punching shear failure, which would expose

reinforcing bars and prestressing strands.

Existing design criteria, such as ACI 357R (Guide for the Design and Construction

of Fixed Offshore Concrete Structures), are based on research data of relatively

thin and lightly reinforced members such as building slabs, roof shells, and

footings. Typically, the exterior shell of an offshore structure is greater than

3-feet thick and is heavily reinforced on both faces. If designed in accordance

to existing design guidelines, the exterior shells would become extremely thick

so that it would not be possible to tow the structures through relatively shallow

waters

This research will include tests of concrete shell elements subjected to high

local forces. It will also examine the scale effects of using small-scale

specimens, in the range of 6- to 12-inch thick shells. Careful planning of the

proposed test program, which will include 1/6- , 1/3-, and full-scale specimens,

will produce structural performance data over a range of geometric and material

variables

The experimental program will be supplemented with analytical studies to

predict the expected performance of the test specimens. The analytical models

will simulate the multi-axial stress states within thick members and will

incorporate non-linear material behavior.

21
SOIL TEST PROBE

Felix Y. Yokel

(301) 921-2647

Structures Division

Sponsor: Tri-Services Committee

The problem of soil exploration at shallow depths (less than 3m) has been

generally neglected by the geotechnical profession. Existing methods for use at

these depths are either inaccurate or too expensi ve • Since most residential

structure foundations and utility lines are located at shallow depths, there is

a need for an accurate, practical, and inexpensive method of exploring and classifying

soils at shallow depths.

During a study of soil anchors, CBT identified an ideal tool for this purpose

consisting of a small diameter helical screw which can be inserted by one man.

The torque necessary to turn the screw can be correlated with the shear strength

of soil. In the first stage of the project, three sizes of test probes for

different soil strengths will be built, and test probe readings will be correlated

with cone penetrometer, plate loading, and laboratory tests. This will enable

CBT to model and calibrate the device. In the second stage, operational prototypes

will be built and design charts for practical applications will be prepared. Use

of the soil test probe will substantially reduce the cost and Improve the quality

of site exploration and foundation design.

22
GAGE FOR MEASUREMENT OF DYNAMIC SOIL STRESSES

Riley M. Chung

(301) 921-2186

Structures Division

Sponsor: Air Force

The in-situ measurement of stress in a soil mass poses difficult problems

because stress gages stiffer than the surrounding soil introduce disturbances

that distort the stress field. Also, the traditional method of determining

stresses via the measurement of strains does not work well in soils since stressstrain relationships are complex and poorly understood. The problem is magnified

in the measurement of djmamic effects, which is compounded by the poor frequency

response characteristics of available gages.

There is an opportunity for advancing the state-of-the-art in this measurement

area by the use of piezo-electric polymer material developed by NBS. This material

possesses two properties that make its use as a soil-stress gage attractive. The

polymer gages can be thin and flexible, minimizing the disturbance in the stress

distribution in the soil mass. And also the gages have favorable dynamic response

characteristics and could pick up high-frequency pressure pulses.

The development of the gage also poses difficult technical problems, such as

uncoupling of stress and adiabatic heat effects, and uncoupling of compressive

and shear stresses. If the gage is successful it will be widely used by industry,

government agencies, the armed forces, and research laboratories. The gage will

also improve the state-of-the-art in soil dynamics by providing an accurate

signature of pressure pulses.

23
MEASUREMENT OF THERMAL SOIL PROPERTIES

Lawrence A. Salomone

(301) 921-3128

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The thermal conductivity of soil is significantly affected by soil moisture. The

correlation between moisture content and thermal conductivity must be known for accurate

predictions of energy dissipation of buried transmission lines and other structures

surrounded by soils. Conversely, the correlation between moisture content and thermal

conductivity may be used to measure soil moisture content in-situ and to determine

the plastic limit of clays in the laboratory.

Under this project, CBT will determine the relationship between moisture content,

the index properties of soils and thermal conductivity of soils, and use the information

for: accurate mathematical modeling of heat and moisture flow through soils; development of in-situ measurement methods for moisture content and/ or density, as well as

other index properties; and improved measurement techniques for thermal properties.

24
STANDARDS FOR FOUNDATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS

Felix Y. Yokel

(301) 921-2647

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Even though most structural failures and distress are associated with inadequate

foundations and very large sums of money are invested in excavation work, there

is currently no national standard for foundations and excavations in the U.S. As

a consequence, effective code regulations are either absent or differ from location

to location, causing difficulties and confusion in the introduction of new

technologies and in the application of standards systems.

CBT assists ASCE in the development of standards for foundations and excavations

by serving as a secretariat for the Committee on Foundation and Excavation

Standards and supporting the activities of the working committees by providing

leadership and technical input. Pending availability of adequate financial

resources, CBT will also take the initial steps in the development of a

probabilistic code format for foundation and excavations. Additionally, CBT

provides the technical basis for standards developed by other agencies outside

the ASCE. At the present time these include: Mobile Home Foundations (ANSI

A225) and Excavation Safety (OSHA, an eventually ANSI A10.12), and will probably

extend into various areas of geotechnical in-situ measurements and laboratory

testing

25
DEVELOPMENT OF SAFETY-NET STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION

H. S. Lew

(301) 921-2647

Structures Division

Sponsor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Falls from elevated surfaces during construction are the principal source of

worker casualties. Safety nets are used to impede falls in many situations where

active fall-protection devices, such as guardrails and safety belts, are either

impractical, as in congested work areas, or are ineffective due to the absence

of an adequate mechanism of support. Currently, there is no technical basis for

the application and performance testing of safety nets used in construction.

The purpose of this study is to develop comprehensive criteria for the use and

testing of safety nets based on research results. This, the second phase of the

study, will provide test data needed in evaluating the proof-testing provisions

that are currently found in U.S. safety-net regulations. In that there is a

minimal technical basis for the currently specified procedure, the test data

resulting from this phase should significantly advance the state-of-knowledge

in this area.

26
IMPACT LOADS IN CONCRETE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

S. George Fattal

(301) 921-2184

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standrds

Load factors for concrete structures in service have been in existence in

codes and standards for about two decades. Within the past year, ANSI Introduced

for the first time a common load factor for all construction loads. In this project,

field data will be used to examine the statistical distribution of construction

loads, particularly impacts from various sources, and their correlation with the

recently-adopted load factor by ANSI.

The principal task will be to synthesize from existing field data the components

of construction load due to impact from the placement of concrete and stripping

of forms, dead loads, and other load effects. The reduced data will be put to use

for the development of a simplified approach for predicting impact of concrete and

formwork, and a design criterion for impact loads based on their statistical

distribution.

27
NDT METHODS FOR CONCRETE

Nicholas J. Carlno

(301) 921-3128

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Despite recent advances in concrete technology, there is still a need for

effective nondestructive test methods to evaluate the properties and quality of

in-place concrete. To meet this need, CBT has been actively pursuing research in

this area. The two specific topics that have been addressed include: estimation

of the in-place strength of concrete at early ages, and detection of internal

flaws such as cracks and honeycombing within concrete members. Past research on

the maturity method has led to fundamental understanding of this technique for

in-place strength prediction. Current research is being performed to obtain a

similar fundamental understanding of the pullout test method, and research has

begun in the area of pulse-echo testing.

The results of this project will provide fundamental information on NDT

methods, which will Increase the user's understanding of the principles and

inherent limitations of each method so that results can be properly interpreted.

28
STRUCTURAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

James H. Pielert

(301) 921-3481

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Throughout the U.S., increasing concern is being expressed for the need to

more fully use the existing building stock. Expenditures for improvements to

housing nearly matched those for new housing construction in 1981; $46.5 billion

vs. $50 billion annual rate. The building rehabilitation process requires many

technical decisions by designers, builders, and building officials relative to

the condition of the existing building. Such state-of-the-art data required to

make these condition-assessment decisions are broadly dispersed and not readily

accessible. It is necessary to subject such information to a consensus review

and provide the design community with resource standards on building condition

assessment for selected materials (concrete, metals, masonry, wood, etc.).

Technical support to the ASCE Standards Committee on Structural Condition

Assessment will include preparation of standards outlines and draft information

based on CBT and other relevant research, providing CBT staff support to technical

issues as appropriate including review of draft standards, and coordination with

other related standards activities (ASTM, ACI, etc.). Administrative support will

include providing a chairman to the committee, organization of committee membership,

holding two meetings of the full committee, and ensuring that ASCE standards

process be followed.

29
ASSESSMENT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE OFFICE

BUILDING STRUCTURAL AND ENCLOSURE SYSTEMS

George Turner

(301) 921-2140

Structures Division

Sponsor: General Services Administration

Because of the lack of a clear indication of the conditions and requirements

that will impinge up on future office building design and construction, the GSA/PBS

is seeking answers to fundamental questions about designing, rehabilitating, and

constructing buildings. Some of the questions to be addressed include:

o What should be the form of future office buildings?

o What new materials for enclosures and structural systems should be

considered for use by GSA?

o What technology is needed to measure and evaluate the performance

and serviceablity of new and innovative structural and enclosure

system materials?

o What are the emerging technologies for building energy and lighting

systems?

The first phase of the project involved the solicitation of expert judgment

from approximately 100 architects and engineers in private firms and universities

across the nation. The second phase of the project will use the results of the

first phase as a framework for structuring a trend extrapolation for various types

of materials and designs.

30
!

HIGH-TECHNOLOGY FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDINGS

George Turner

(301) 921-2140

Structures Division

Sponsor: General Services Administration

The Public Buildings Service is committed to the development of a new design

approach, referred to as "High Technology." This work emphasizes automation of

various building systems and advanced design of others. Since a high-technology

building exceeds current state-of-the-art levels of design and performance, a special

technical expertise is needed for developing the design criteria.

CBT provided technical support to the development of a research plan and to the

development of functional programming issues for two GSA building projects. The

research plan consisted of research needs relative to building subsystems, components,

and materials that have potential advantages but are not available for immediate use

because of insufficient testing or in-use performance data. The results of this

project are intended to provide a higher level of environmental performance and

support to the building's general users and its operating staff.

31
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, established In response to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 , calls for

NBS to conduct research on performance criteria and supporting

measurement technology for earthquake resistant construction. CBT

is developing the technical base for improved seismic design criteria

for new buildings and methods for evaluating seismic safety of existing

buildings to meet needs of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction

Program for improved seismic design and construction practices.

Technical Assessment of Earthquake-Resistant Design Provisions

Support to the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in

Construction

Strength and Response of Structures to Earthquake Loading

Large-scale Bridge Columns Subjected to Reversed Cyclic

Loading

Cyclic Loading of Masonry Building Components

Geotechnical Measurement of In-Situ Soil Properties

Evaluation and Expansion of Liquefaction Data Base

Cyclic Strain Approach to the Determination of Liquefaction

Potential of Level Sandy Sites

32
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT DESIGN

PROVISIONS

E. V. Leyendecker

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: Federal Emergency Management Agency

This project is a continuation of work with the Building Seismic Safety Council in

its effort to support improved seismic design criteria. CBT will provide support of

the technical secretariat of the BSSC Trial Design Overview Committee which is working

on resolution of comments to proposed revisions to the Tentative Provisions for the

Development of Seismic Regulations for Buildings through a trial design program. This

will be done in coordination with the other members of the Committee who will be

voluntarily donating their time in the matter. To assure future implementation of the

refined provisions, NBS will work closely with and participate with the Building Seismic

Safety Council in all phases of the actual conduct of the trial design process.

Working with ICSSC, CBT develops recommendations for future substantive improvement

in Federal seismic provisions. An existing draft standard prepared for trial use by

the ICSSC is based on current practice. It is the first step in improving Federal

standards, with its primary purpose to introduce a uniform practice among all Federal

agencies. Substantive improvements in the Federal seismic provisions for buildings

will take several years to accomplish and should be coordinated with the eventual

improvement in the private sector that will come about as a result of the BSSC activitie

CBT will thoroughly review the proposed guidelines for existing Federal buildings

and develop suggested improvements. It is a well recognized fact that hazards that

exist in buildings represent a large threat and that the problem is quite complex.

CBT expertise in dealing with similar problems concerning the rehabilitation of old

buildings and the application of retroactive building regulations will be brought to

bear on this problem.

CBT provides the chairman of ICSSC and of the ICSSC steering group and provides

the technical secretariat for ICSSC and its steering group. Additionally, staff members

serve on various ICSSC technical committees and provide the chair for the Committee on

Building Standards.

33
SUPPORT TO THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON SEISMIC SAFETY

IN CONSTRUCTION

E. V. Leyendecker

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: Federal Emergency Management Agency

The purpose of the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction (ICSSC)

is to assist the Federal departments and agencies involved in construction to develop

and incorporate earthquake hazards reduction measures in their ongoing programs . These

will be based on existing standards when feasible and will be consistent with 0MB

guidelines

NBS will provide technical and administrative support to the activities of the

ICSSC that are aimed at meeting the Committee's specific objectives. Specific objectives

cited in the NEHRP include:

o develop seismic design and construction standards for Federal projects,

develop guidelines to ensure serviceability following an earthquake of

vital facilities constructed or financed by the Federal Government,

o develop guidelines that provide for independent State and local review of

seismic considerations in the construction of critical facilities constructed

and financed by the Federal Government,

o develope guidelines for the inclusion of earthquake hazards reduction

activities in ongoing Federal programs,

o develop a strategy to identify existing Federal buildings and other structures

that pose unacceptable earthquake-related risks,

o coordinate the development of guildelines for the consideration of seisimic

risk in the development of Federal lands.

ICSSC and CRT will cooperate with State and local government and private organizations

in the development of nationally applicable earthquake hazard reduction measures.

Using consensus procedures, the ICSSC will recommend earthquake hazard reduction practices

suitable for use by Federal agencies. ICSSC recommended practices will not be mandated

for use by Federal agencies except by Executive Order, but they may be adopted as

required practices by the various Federal agencies following their established practices

for implementing regulations.

34
STRENGTH AND RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES TO EARTHQUAKE LOADING

spencer T. Wu

(301) 921-2198

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The response of structures to earthquake loading and prediction of resistance

of buildings and components is essential to seismic design. Two areas being studied

are torsional effects in buildings and analytical studies on masonry shear walls.

The need for providing resistance to torsional effects in buildings subjected to

earthquakes is known. However, the provisions in the current building codes are

based primarily on engineering judgment. A design eccentricity of five percent of

the maximum building dimension at each level is used in the Uniform Building Code

and the recommended Lateral Force Requirements of the Structural Engineers Association

of California.

The purpose of the first area is to develop a theoretical basis for determining

the torsional effects. Results will be used to establish a reasonable criteria in

seismic design and to implement a reliability-based limit-states approach to seismic

load. The analytical results will be used for rationalizing the seismic design

criteria in the consideration of lateral load requirements.

In the second area, the process of developing tentative seismic design provisions

for unreinforced and reinforced masonry building components reveals a scarcity of

information on its ultimate strength characteristics. Since seismic resistance is

now based primarily on ultimate strength considerations, the lack of such information

for masonry building components is detrimental to its rational design in buildings

subject to seismic loadings. The analytical study will be coordinated with CBT's

laboratory project on masonry shear walls. Analytical and experimental work will

be coordinated to develop methods for predicting strength and behavior of walls.

The research will provide the basic understanding of the torsional effects in

building and contribute to the basis of seismic design and safety.

35
LARGE-SCALE BRIDGE COLUMNS SUBJECTED TO REVERSED CYCLIC

LOADING

E. V. Leyendecker

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

A national workshop on earthquake resistance of highway bridges held in January

1979 identified research needs and established priorities in the area of seismic aspects

of highway bridge design. One of the highest priority research needs was to determine

the effects of scale factor on bridge column design to determine whether the behavior

of small sections can be extrapolated to large cross sections and to examine the

performance of selected full-scale details. These two needs can be interrelated.

Experimental programs on large-scale specimens are expensive and difficult to

conduct; hence, the limited availability of data in the literature. Careful planning

of tests will produce much full-scale performance data over a range of axial loads and

column designs. Such a range is necessary to examine the effect of scale factor since

such an effect will likely be dependent on the column mode of failure. The program

plan will consider columns designed using state-of-the-art techniques. Specimens at

full-scale, 1/3-scale, and 1/6-scale will be selected. Many of the tests will be full

size to take advantage of the CBT ability to obtain "bench mark" data. The scale tests

that are conducted are expected to identify problems of scale effect but may not completely answer them. If necessary, a complete examination of scale effect will be

possible in future investigations using the full-scale tests to provide reference data.

36
CYCLIC LOADING OF MASONRY BUILDING COMPONENTS

Kyle Woodward

(301) 921-2160

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The process of developing tentative seismic design provisions for both unreinforced

and reinforced masonry building components reveals a scarcity of information on

ultimate strength characteristics. Since seismic resistance is now based primarily

on ultimate strength considerations, the lack of such information for masonry is

detrimental to rational design of buildings subjected to seismic loadings. Here,

experimental tests will provide vitally needed information not now available that

will serve as the basis for development of mathematical models. A number of failure

modes will be examined to identify the characteristics of each and the significant

parameters affecting the different failure modes.

Analytical expressions for predicting failure as a function of key parameters

will be developed. Later experimental testing will determine the generality of the

proposed analytical expressions. This research will provide engineers with a sound

base not currently available by presenting experimentally verified rational approaches

for ultimate strength design.

37
GEOTECHNICAL MEASUREMENT OF IN-SITU SOIL PROPERTIES

E . V . Leyendecker

(301) 921-3471

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The key to ensuring the stability of structures, utilities, and construction

sites lies in our ability to accurately characterize soil behavior. Since soil is

not a man-made material, its successful characterization depends on its properties in

the undisturbed state in the ground. Under this project, tests will be conducted

with the acoustic cone and correlated with other in-situ and laboratory soil tests.

From these data, the methodology for in-situ measurement with the acoustic cone will

be developed.

Design curves will be developed for the use of the cone penetrometer for evaluation

of the liquefaction potential of sites subjected to earthquake effects. Also, Japanese

Standard Penetration Test methodologies and equipment will be studied to provide a

better interpretation of existing Japanese subsurface exploration data from sites

that experience liquefaction, which are presently used in our design curves for the

Standard Penetration Test. This research will lead to new, more reliable, and more

efficient in-situ measurement methods. It will reduce the cost of foundations, reduce

foundation failures, arid increase the feasibility of construction on unstable sites

by providing a more reliable assessment of subsurface conditions.

38
EVALUATION AND EXPANSION OF LIQUEFACTION DATA BASE

Larry A. Salomone

(301) 921-3128

Structures Division

Sponsor: Bureau of Reclamation

The most important method of determining the liquefaction potential of granular

soils subjected to earthquake loading is the use of known correlations between insitu tests and liquefaction potential. The in-situ tests used for this purpose

are the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and the Cone Penetration Test (CPT). The

data base for the SPT is in large part derived from Japanese data. However, it

is known that the SPT is poorly controlled and thus the results are variable. In

particular, there are not enough data to enable a comparison of U.S. and Japanese

SPT practice and thus adequately interpret the Japanese SPT liquefaction data.

Very few direct field data are available for the CPT and thus, at present, the CPT

is solely based on known correlations between CPT and SPT.

The objective of this research is to better define and expand the data base

linking in-situ measurements by SPT and CPT with the determination of the

liquefaction potential or cyclic mobility of sites with saturated granular soils.

The project is coordinated to coincide with the exploration of Japanese sites

where liquefaction occurred on May 26, 1983. The SPT rigs conducting exploration

will be calibrated to determine fall height, kinetic energy at hammer impact and

energy passing through the drill rod, and CPT exploration will be conducted

alongside the SPT. To better define the existing data base, SPT and CPT data

will be acquired at the old Niigata liquefaction site, and a correlation between

U.S. and Japanese SPT data will be established by determining the energy in the

drill rods of Japanese SPT rigs, establishing a correlation between blow counts

obtained with Japanese and U.S. and Japanese SPT liquefaction data and establish

a CPT liquefaction data base.

39
CYCLIC STRAIN APPROACH TO THE DETERMINATION OF LIQUEFACTION

POTENTIAL OF LEVEL SANDY SITES

Riley M. Chung

(301) 921-2648

Structures Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Relative density is currently used as the most-important parameter in preparing

laboratory specimens of sand to model liquefaction potential under in-situ conditions.

But, research now indicates that many other characteristics of the soil are important,

such as the manner of deposition, history of preconsolidation, and history of vibration.

These are collectively referred to as the soil fabric.

In this project, a relationship between cyclic strain and pore-water pressure

buildup is established. Anticipated cyclic strain, in turn, can be estimated on the

basis of the shear modulus of the deposit which can be approximately deterained from

shear-wave propagation velocities. Several test series have been performed on Monterey #0

sand, and it has been established that for sand there is a threshold strain below

which no pore water pressure buildup occurs. This threshold strain is approximately

10~2 percent. It has been also determined that overconsolidation will increase the

threshold strain and that in virgin samples which have not been shaken before and

which are subjected to a very large number of strain cycles, the threshold strain

could be one order of magnitude smaller.

On the basis of these findings, a design approach was proposed which used the

threshold strain concept. More recent seismic events, notably the great 1976 earthquakes in Tangshan (M = 7.8) and Ningho (M = 6.93), indicate that liquefaction can be

a major problem in alluvial silts and silty sands. Since traditional in-situ measurement approaches to the determination of liquefaction potential are not likely to be

very reliable because of the extremely low penetration resistance of those deposits,

it is extremely important to develop alternative approaches. It is therefore important

to determine whether the cyclic strain approach can also be applied to silts and

silty sands. To accomplish this goal, cyclic strain studies will be conducted on

silts and silty sands. Since the behavior of silts differs from that of sands,

laboratory studies are required to study the response of silty soils to cyclic loads.

40
BUILDING PHYSICS

CBT is developing performance production and measurement techniques that

exploit the potential of advanced computation to assist owners, operators,

designers, manufacturers, and contractors in providing functional, safe,

and economical thermal, ventilation, acoustical, and lighting systems in new and existing buildings.

- Calibrated Hot-Box Conduction Transfer Functions

Heat Flux Meter Characteristics

Convection Within Low-Density Insulation

- Thermal Resistance Calibration Standard

Envelope Thermal Testing Unit

- Field Measurements of Wall Thermal Mass

- Thermal Mass Effects of Residential Cooling and Heating

- Evaluation of Thermal Anomalies

- Heat Loss Through Thermal Bridges

- Multi-Room Thermal Modeling

- Wall Systems Air Leakage Research

Field Wall-Component Tester

- Convective Air Movement in Buildings

- Large-Building Air Movement

- Indoor Air Quality of Office Buildings

- Underground Heat Distribution Systems

- Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation

- Thermal Performance of Low-Slope Roofs

Standards Requirements for the Weatherization Assistance Program

- Acoustic Measurements in Buildings

Prevention of Traffic Noise Problems

- Daylighting Studies

- CEL-1 Lighting Program

- Opponent-Color Approach to Color Appearance

- Effect of Chromatic Adaption (Color Rendering and Color Appearance)

- Lighting Quality Guidelines

- Lighting Roundtable III

- Color Calibrator for Weather Radar

- Safety Colors and Signs in Workplaces

- Discriminability Features of Secure Documents

41
CALIBRATED HOT-BOX CONDUCTION TRANSFER FUNCTIONS

Douglas Burch

(301) 921-3754

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards and Department of Energy

The CBT Calibrated Hot-Box apparatus is new and has recently been accepted

from the contractor who constructed it. The apparatus needs to be calibrated to

determine quantitatively the error associated with the measurements made using this

apparatus. A series of calibration tests will be carried out for both static and

dynamic temperature differences between the indoor and outdoor sides of the wall

and for static and dynamic heat, air and moisture transmission rates. Much of

this year's effort will go into calibration work and planning of the series of

experimental test walls that will be designed to experimentally investigate

parameters such as convection within voids in the walls or materials, thermal

mass, and to validate models used to predict performance under a variety of

exposure conditions.. The calibration measurements will provide data on the

flank loss , that amount of energy that by passes the specimen or is lost through

the specimen holder. CBT will participate in a 20-30 laboratory round-robin

test program to determine the repeatability and uncertainty in the ASTM 976

method of test.

42
HEAT-FLUX METER CHARACTERISTICS

Brian G. Rennex

(301) 921-3195

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Heat flow transducers are comparative measuring devices and must be calibrated

or referenced back to an absolute measurement. Large errors in calibrations and

errors due to the way the transducers are used are prevalent . These transducers

are used extensively in research, measurement, and production work. Precision and

accuracy in this type of measurement need improvement so that resulting test

method specifications are similarly dependable.

In this project, a method or methods for calibration of heat flow transducers

will be devised and validated using the NBS guarded hot-plate apparatus as the

source for absolute quantitative data. Comparisons will be made with data obtained

from other methods or devices such as the CBT calibrated hot box or techniques

used by other laboratories. A study of errors for both laboratory and field

applications will be made with a view to developing remedial procedures to minimize

errors.

43
CONVECTION WITHIN LOW-DENSITY INSULATION

Brian G. Rennex

(301) 921-3195

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

There is a disagreement with the building research community on the significance

of convective heat transfer in low-density insulation. Quantitative measurements

are needed to determine convective effects and make the information available to

practioners, industry, and organizations such as ASTM and ASHRAE. The 1-meter

Guarded Hot Plate is well suited to conduct this study because different directions

of heat flow up, down, and horizontal, can be applied to insulation materials as

thick as 38 cm. Here, specimens of different thickness will be used with differential temperatures controlled up to 40° C to determine differences in measured

thermal transmittance (resistance) when the plates are rotated to give different

directions of heat flow. The differences of thermal resistance between heat

flow down and heat flow up determine the convection effect for each test.

44
THERMAL RESISTANCE CALIBRATION STANDARD

Brian G. Rennex

(301) 921-3195

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This project will explore the feasibility of developing a new calibration

standard for thermal resistance measurement equipment such as guarded hot plates

(ASTM C-177) and heat flow meters (ASTM C-518) . At present only two materials

are available from CBT for calibrating guarded hot plates and heat flow meters.

One is a dense fiberglas board and the second is a low-density fiberglas blanket.

A need exists to supply the measurement community with calibration samples whose

apparent thermal conductivity and thermal resistance is both higher and lower

than those now available, either using materials that more nearly resemble those

that will be measured in current production or using an entirely new calibration

material approach; for example, plastics, Insulating concretes, loose fill

materials , or something like a variable wall spacing and wall thickness honeycomb

type of material, whose thermal conductivity could be changed at will. Given

success in this venture, a measurements laboratory desiring calibration would

have the flexibility for calibrating their devices at or near the several ranges

of values expected to be measured, thus improving the precision and accuracy of

their standard test methods. Much money will be saved by the manufacturing industry

if their production machines can be set more precisely to produce the R-values

required without excessive factors of safety. This, in turn, could lower prices to

the consumer.

45
ENVELOPE THERMAL TESTING UNIT

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

In this project, CBT will determine the usefulness and accuracy of the envelope

thermal testing unit (ETTU) developed by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory for the

Department of Energy. The device will be used on CBT field projects to determine

the practical problems and field sources of errors resulting in its use. Guidelines

will be developed from this experience for the use of ETTU. Measurements will be

made in the six thermal mass buildings and the results compared with the known

thermal resistance of these walls. A series of test walls of typical construction

will be built and installed in a small test cell in the NBS environmental chamber.

Measurements will be made on these walls under various simulated thermal conditions.

These walls will be built in such a way that they can be later tested in the CBT

calibrated hot-box, if required. From these tests the accuracy of ETTU will be

determined under various environmental conditions. The source of error will be

determined and the results compared with those of other test methods.

46
FIELD MEASUREMENTS OF WALL THERMAL MASS

Douglas Burch

(301) 921-3754

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

There is a real need to measure and experimentally evaluate the energy savings

attributable to thermal mass in buildings, so that present energy conservation

standards can be modified where appropriate to reflect benefits realized from

thermal mass.

Six 20-foot wide and 20-foot long, one-room test buildings (modules) have been

constructed at the NBS NIKE Site. All six test modules have the same floor plan

orientation and other common features. The wall constructions are as follows:

No. 1 Insulated light-weight wood frame

No. 2 Uninsulated light-weight wood frame

No. 3 Insulated masonry (mass exterior to wall insulation)

No. 4 Uninsulated masonry

No. 4 Log

No. 5 Insulated masonry (mass interior to wall insulation)

These six test buildings were extensively instrumented for measuring the wall

heat transmission, heating and cooling energy consumption, and the indoor comfort

condition. A comprehensive series of field measurements have been carried out to

date including:

o 14-week winter measurements with the thermostat set for space heating at 68°

F

o 3-week spring measurements with the thermostat set for space heating at 68°

F

o 3-week summer measurements with the thermostat set for space cooling at 76°

F

o 14-week winter and spring night temperature setback measurements

o 3-week summer measurements with the thermostat set for space cooling at 65°

F

o 3-week summer measurements with with night ventilation used during cool

night periods

o Special purpose winter, spring, and summer partition wall tests.

This year, CBT will provide representative data files of measurements of the

six thermal mass test buildings covering all of the periods of measurement. The

data file will be used by LBL to validate BLAST. In addition, CBT will provide

consultation to LBL concerning the CBT field tests and the technical approach to

be used by LBL.

47
THERMAL MASS EFFECTS ON RESIDENTIAL COOLING AND HEATING

Douglas Burch

(301) 921-3754

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Electric Power Research Institute

The objectives of this project are three: to analyze previously measured test

results of the NBS thermal mass test buildings to investigate the effect of building

envelope and building operation parameters on reducing and delaying peak space

heating/cooling loads; to investigate the effect of the thermal mass of the interior

partition walls and interior furnishings on reducing and delaying peak summer

cooling loads; and to compare space heating/cooling loads predicted with EMPS and

TARP computer programs to corresponding measured heating/cooling loads.

48
EVALUATION OF THERMAL ANOMALIES

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor : Department of Energy

Thermographic inspection of insulated buildings has uncovered many thermal

anomalies in the insulation system due to improperly installed insulation, convective

air movement in the insulation, and moisture damage to the insulation. At present

there is no method for quantifying the heat loss due to these anomalies so that the

impact of correcting the anomalies can be judged.

This project will investigate the adequacy of several in-situ methods for

quanitifying the heat losses due to thermal anomalies. The quantif icative use of

thermography will be assessed for both the measurement of temperature and the

measurement heat flux. Laboratory tests will be performed on representative

thermographic systems to determine their characteristics for making quanititative

measurements. The in-situ use of heat flow meters and calorimeters will be

investigated. Guidelines will be established for each of these methods and an

assessment of their accuracy will be made.

49
HEAT LOSS THROUGH THERMAL BRIDGES

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

As buildings become more insulated, the heat loss due to structural members

becomes significant and can degrade the performance of the insulation system by

an order of 10 to 20 percent. These parts of the structure are also locations at

which condensation can occur and thus are potential sources of building deterioration. Present analysis and models of the building envelope ignore the presence

of thermal bridges.

Under this project, methods for detecting the presence of thermal bridges will

be developed. Generic type of thermal bridges will be anlayzed using the "Heating

6" finite-difference heat-transfer program. In-situ measurement methods for

quantifying the heat loss due to thermal bridges will be developed. These methods

will include the use of heat flow meters and calorimeter boxes for measuring both

the heat loss due to the thermal bridge and the heat loss of the insulated wall

section. These data will be analyzed to determine the degradation in performance

of the insulation system due to thermal bridging. The results will be compared

with the theoretical predictions.

50
MULTI-ROOM THERMAL MODELING

George Walton

(301) 921-3633

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

This project will develop a comprehensive technique for predicting simultaneous

transfer of air, moisture, and heat in and through multi-room buildings. Although

numerous building thermal modeling techniques and computer programs exist throughout

the United States, none of them can handle the following processes simultaneously:

envelope heat transfer, envelope air leakage, envelope solar heat gain, room-to-room

heat transfer, room-to-room air and moisture transfer, intra-room air movement,

energy consumption by the heating/cooling equipment, indoor comfort, water-vapor

condensation, and contaminant migration. Existing models are usually single-room

models and dynamic coupling between the heated/nonheated spaces and/or the

cooled/ noncooled spaces are ignored

.

Under this project, CBT has developed the Thermal Analysis Research Program

(TARP) and has used the program to predict the performance of the six test houses

at the NIKE Site and the interzone movement of contaminants. This program is

capable of performing the simultaneous analysis of air and heat transfer in

multi-zone structures. This year, small scale models will be developed that

will permit the validation of TARP for predicting the simultaneous mass and heat

transfer in multi-room buildings. Various scaling relationships will be examined

which will permit small scale models to be used to simulate actual full scale

heat and mass transfer. Data from these small scale models will be used to

validate the accuracy of TARP to simulate complex heat and mass transfer.

51
WALL SYSTEMS AIR LEAKAGE RESEARCH

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

In comparison with residential buildings, little data exist on the air leakage

and air movement in large commercial structures. What data does exist indicates

that modern office buildings are relatively tight and are operated with little

outside air to remove contaminants generated in the building. Even buildings

which have a total air exchange rate sufficient to remove contaminants, may have

zones which require little heating and cooling energy and therefore use small

amounts of air (this can happen in variable air volume systems which are common

in modern low energy commercial buildings).

A test method will be developed for measuring the efficiency of ventilation in

modern commercial buildings. This method will determine the minimum amount of

air exchange which is effective in removing contaminants from the work, space.

The method will be based on the injection of a tracer gas into various zones of

the building and determination of the buildup and decay of the tracer gas in the

work space and in the exhaust air. Initially the CBT automatic air infiltration

system developed for application to large buildings will be used. Tests will be

made in at least three different commercial buildings and the results will be used

to determine the effectiveness of the ventilation systems.

In addition, CBT will collect air infiltration and ventilation data on three

additional large commercial buildings which have passive solar design features

and large atria, in order to increase the data base on large buildings. CBT will

also look for other commercial buildings which are being instrumented for their

energy usage. If possible, f an-pressurization tests and tracer-gas tests will be

performed in these buildings to assess their air leakage characteristics.

52
FIELD WALL-COMPONENT TESTER

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

This project will develop a field method for measuring the thermal conductance

of wall components under transient conditions. At present it is difficult to

measure the thermal response of wall components under typical field conditions

caused by diurnal climate changes. Existing field methods require large temperature

differences and no reversal of heat flux which restricts their use to cold winter

months and to surfaces without solar loading. CBT's approach will be to design a

portable calorimeter box that will permit the measurement of the thermal conductance

of wall components under typical transient conditions. Two designs will be considered. In one, a two-sided calorimeter box will be designed in which one side

will be heated and the other will be cooled. In the other design, a single-sided

calorimeter will be considered in which both heating and cooling can occur.

Mathematical simulation of the performance of these two designs will be done using

finite-difference transient heat-transfer programs to assess their field performance

and accuracy.

53
CONVECTIVE AIR MOVEMENT IN BUILDINGS

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Though great progress has been made in the modeling of conductive and radiative

heat transfer in buildings, little work has been done on developing general models

for predicting the convective heat transfer either within zones of a building or

within the building insulation systems. Most convective transfer models currently

used are semi-empirical and not derived from first principles. However, an understanding of the convective transfer process in buildings is important for determining

the performance of insulation systems which have air cavities, the intra-room air

movement for determining the dispersion of contaminants, and the inter-room movement

of air.

In this project, an advanced finite difference scheme capable of solving the

Boussinesq approximation to the Navier-Stokes equation will be implemented on an NBS

computer. This model is capable of simulating the natural convection heat transfer

between room surface and adjacent air, natural convective heat transfer between

adjacent rooms, and the forced convection between the building and its external

environment. The adequacy of this model for satisfying the future needs of NBS in

developing predictive capabilities in such areas as convective heat transfer in

insulation systems, the dispersion of contaminants in rooms (ventilation efficiency),

and the interzone movement of air will be assessed.

54

I'
LARGE-BUILDING AIR MOVEMENT

Richard A. Grot

(301) 921-3501

Building Physics Division

Sponsor : Department of Energy

Large buildings have complex air movement patterns. Understanding these air

movement patterns is required for an assessment of energy performance, for the determination of indooor air quality, for understanding moisture mitigation, and for

smoke control. It is difficult to either analytically model this air movement or to

experimentally measure the movement of air in multi-zone buildings. Here, the CBT

developed Thermal Research Analysis Program (TARP) will be used to predict the interzone air movement in several large office buildings in which NBS has measured the

air infiltration and ventilation. The results of these measurements will be used to

validate the predictions of TARP. The results also will be used for deterraing future

direction in analytical modeling of air movement in buildings and the need for future

measurement methods such as multi-tracer techniques for assessing the movement of

air in complex buildings.

55
INDOOR AIR QUALITY OF OFFICE BUILDINGS

Preston E. McNall

(301) 921-3447

Center for Building Technology

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Indoor air quality in commerical office buildings is degrading due to energy

concerns which result in less leaky building enclosures and designs which minimize

the introduction of outdoor air for ventilation. Several buildings have been evacuated due to "building sickness syndrome," a term attached to poor air quality causing

occupant complaints. In some cases, very little ventilation air was provided. In

others, specific pathogens were multiplying in the HVAC systems and infecting the

occupants. The increased use in buildings of materials which outgas are also suspected. Randon gas from soils is a known carcinogen. Formaldehyde is suspected

carcinogen. Many other cantaminants have been identified as possible health hazards.

Definitive lAQ standards and design practices are needed. In this project, CBT will

work with EPA on their program reviews and with DoE and NIBS to identify other specific needs. The focus will be on measurement methods for indoor contaminants and

ventilating systems for commercial office buildings. What should be measured? What

measurement techniques should be used?

56
UNDERGROUND HEAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Jin Fang

(301) 921-2278

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Defense Tri-Services Committee

Many underground heat distribution systems in military installations are failing

because of the ingress of ground water due to corrosion of the conduit system that

covers the thermal insulation around the carrier pipe. Since it is extremely expensive to replace the entire underground system, it is desirable to have an accurate

and easy-to-use instrument that will detect only the segments of the system that

have failed.

CBT has developed an automated microcomputer-controlled measurement system for

such heat losses. The system depends on the ground temperature profile over the

underground heat source and thermal properties of the earth cover. A validation of

this instrumentation system is needed based on an actual installation where the heat

loss from the underground system is known by separate calometric measurements.

57
UREA-FORMALDEHYDE FOAM INSULATION

Walter J. Rossiter

(301) 921-3109

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This project will review the technical issues concerning urea-formaldehyde foam

insulation in walls and ceilings of residential construction. This includes a review

of the properties and composition of these insulations and techniques for their

measurement, the types of residential construction, interactions between the foam

and wall components, remedial measures such as foam removal to eliminate or reduce

problems associated with its presence, and an identification of research needs to

resolve the problems caused by urea-formaldehyde foam in residences. Since medical

expertise resides outside the NBS, potential health effects will not be addressed.

The review will be based on existing information and building practices.

Sources of information will include published literature and reports from Federal,

State, and foreign government agencies. Contact will be made with key research

personnel to assess current research and to define future research needs. Persons

involved with remedial measures including foam removal will also be contacted to

obtain information on the procedures involved and the effectiveness of the measures.

58
THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF LOW-SLOPED ROOFS

Walter J, Rossiter

(301) 921-3109

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This study will focus on the four main areas that should be considered in a

quantitative assessment of the condition and thermal performance of a low-sloped

roofing system. In this study a methodology to determine quantitatively the

thermal performance of low-sloped roofs will be developed. Parameters required

to characterize roofing thermal performance will be identified. Some of the

factors which may affect the total thermal performance of the roof to be addressed

in the methodology include: the composition (components) of the roof, type of

insulation attached, joints between insulation boards, the amount of moisture in

the roof, the number of penetrations in the roof, and the environment to which

the roof is exposed. The methodology will include mathematical models for assessing

thermal performance and in-situ thermal measurements of roofing systems. Recommendations concerning an on-the-roof test method will be made, and research needs

for implementation of the methodology will be identified. Recommendations will

also be made as to ways the time required to measure in-place thermal performance

may be shortened. Finally, recommendations on how to estimate the thermal performance of the Nation's inventory of low-sloped roofs from data for a relatively

small number of roofs will be made.

59
STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WEATHERIZATION

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Walter J. Rossiter

(301) 921-3109

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The objective here is to revise, update, and expand the criteria for materials

and products eligible for the DoE Weatherization Assistance Program. This task

includes a review of the DoE Weatherization Measures list regarding eligible

materials and products, a review of the existing criteria, including standards,

for determining their eligibility, and the development of recommendations for

revised criteria for materials and products.

Under this project, the DoE Weatherization Measures list will be reviewed with

regard to the appropriateness of the items listed and the completness of the list.

Applicable standards for the items listed will also be reviewed to determine if

the current versions of these standards are appropriate to the Weatherization

Assistance Program. If not appropriate, recommendations will be made to revise

and update the criteria that reference these standards. For weatherization

measures not included on the current list, but deemed suitable for inclusion,

criteria will be recommended. New and revised criteria will be based on factors

such as: thermal performance, fire safety, health safety, structural integrity,

durability, quality, conformance to building codes, use, and ease of installation.

60
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS

Simone L. Yaniv

(301) 921-3783

Building Physics Division

Sponsor : National Bureau of Standards

The acoustical properties of building materials, spaces, and systems and the

acoustic power emitted by sources are currently inferred from far-field measurements

of sound pressure levels using diffuse sound field theory — a theory inappropriate

for most situations. As a result, laboratory and field data are inaccurate and predictions of in-situ performance from laboratory data unreliable. Under this project,

microprocessors and new experimental tools such as Fourier Transform Analyzers,

intensity meters, and the newly develped prototype absolute sound power source will

be used to develop improved or new test methods for measuring and predicting the

absorption coefficients of building materials, the total sound absorption present

in a space, the acoustic power emitted by a source located in enclosed spaces, and

the flow of acoustical energy in rooms. Use will be made of the NBS semi-reverberant,

reverberant, and anechoic chambers to extend acoustical intensity methods to measure

the acoustical power emitted by sources, the acoustic energy propagation in rooms,

and to study the effects of boundary conditions on both the acoustic emission and

propagation. The data obtained using the steps outlined above will be used to

reexamine for a limited number of well-defined enclosures the relationships among

sound power, absorption, decay rate, and sound pressure levels in rooms. This

analysis can help identify sources of errors responsible for our current inability

to predict accurately and reliably the acoustic performance of buildings and their

components.

61
PREVENTION OF TRAFFIC NOISE PROBLEMS

Slmone L. Yaniv

(301) 921-3783

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration

The purpose of this project is to provide local government staffs with a simple

method and a handbook, based upon available technology, including individual

steps required to plan land use and building construction compatible with expected

noise. The proposed handbook integrates transportation noise prediction, site

noise exposure, building envelope noise isolation, and building occupants' noise

exposure. The document provides a step-by-step description of the design process

indicating how local data are incorporated into the evaluation of the building

envelope noise isolation and the technical feasibility of achieving an acceptable

environment through land use planning and control. Numerous examples are presented

to illustrate the use of the methodology. The text is written in a "how- to-do-it"

format using examples and graphics to illustrate the concepts embodied in the

method developed. Technical details are presented in a series of appendices.

Data summaries and references to available noise isolation data bases for building

components such as walls, windows, and doors are also be provided.

62
DAYLIGHTING STUDIES

Stephen J. Treado

(301) 921-2680

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards, Tri-Services , and National Civil

Engineering Laboratory

The type, size, and configuration of window openings have a strong impact on

building lighting, heating, and cooling loads. Daylight has been shown to have

good potential for reducing lighting energy requirements; however, the effect of

daylighting schemes on building heating and cooling energy requirements must also

be considered. Since the luminous efficacy of solar radiation is typically two

to three times that of electric light sources, the substitution of the proper

levels of daylight for electric lighting can reduce heating and cooling loads

substantially, while providing psychological and aesthetic benefits.

This year measurements will be made of the concurrent interior and exterior

daylight conditions, including sky and solar radiance, illuminance and luminance,

and interior luminance and illuminance distribution under various sky conditions.

Additional measurements will be made with a reference lighting system, enabling

determination of contrast rendition factors for daylit and mixed daylit/electriclit spaces. The existing lab conspicuity meter will be modified for field use

and measurements will be made under daylight conditions. Interior luminance

distribution data will be analyzed to evaluate glare conditions with daylighting.

These data will also enable direct computation of the interref lection daylight

component, leading to an improved algorithm for predicting illuminance due to

internally reflected light.

63
CEL-1 LIGHTING PROGRAM

Steven J. Treado

(301) 912-2680

Building Physics Division

The Conservation of Electric Lighting computer program (CEL-1) was developed as

a tool to assist the building designer in determining energy-efficient fenestration

and lighting configurations. However, at its present state of development only

the lighting energy, daylight illumination, and visual performance aspects of

fenestration use can be evaluated. In addition, calculations can only be made for

a single point in time (static analysis) as opposed to the annual dynamic analysis

required to determine the impact of fenestration systems on net building energy

requirements for the entire year.

In contrast, the BLAST program can be used to perform building energy and

system loads analyses on an annual basis using hourly increments. However, the

BLAST program does not consider the impact of daylighting, so it does not allow

for complete evaluation of the effect of different fenestration systems on building

thermal and lighting loads and energy. This project will result in a computer

simulation program incorporating a hybrid version of CEL-1 and BLAST to enable

complete evaluation of fenestration systems on building energy and loads.

64
F

OPPONENT-COLOR APPROACH TO COLOR APPEARANCE

James A. Worthey

(301) 921-2177

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

A mathematical analysis is used in this project to model the interaction of an

illuminant with a range of object colors. The assumption that object colors can be

represented by a mathematically "smooth" reflection spectrum will be tested explicitly

in the analysis. In addition, this analysis uses data from opponent-color sensitivity

functions to model the response of the human eye. The overall analysis thus models

the effects of illuminants with different color-rendering properties on the appearance

of color objects.

The ability of the eye to process object color information in a way that partly

compensates for the effect of illuminant substitution has been studied under the

heading of "color constancy." A second goal of the present project is to advance

understanding of color constancy and, in particular, to put some results of colorconstancy research into an illuminant-centered form. An illuminant-centered state

ment of constancy would be that "the eye can discount certain features of the illuminant but not others." The present research project is designed to clarify color

constancy results by presenting the eye's response by means of an opponent-colors

model, rather than the more traditional ones.

A long-range benefit of the opponent-colors approach is that it fits in more

logically with the Fourier-transform description of the verison of contrasts, now in

common use in visual science. A pilot study last year developed a method for applying Fourier-transform methods to lighting, using existing equipment at CBT. This

application should help the development of methods for clarifying the role of color

and lighting geometry on contrast. The ultimate goal of the color-rendering research

is a comprehensive new method to compute the effects of changing the light source on

object color.

65
EFFECT OF CHROMATIC ADOPTION (COLOR RENDERING

AND COLOR APPEARANCE)

Gerald L. Howett

(301) 921-2670

Building Physics Division

Sponsor : National Bureau of Standards

I

Only when the light source closely resembles daylight can the appearance of an

object's reflection be predicted accurately from the physically measured chromaticity

Because of the phenomenon of chromatic adaption (the eye's "discounting the color of

the illuminant" )

, this coordination between appearance and chromaticity breaks down

if the color of the light source departs significantly from that of daylight. A

striking example of the shifts that can occur is the case of blue objects seen under

high pressure sodium light. At present, no formula is widely agreed-upon as being

an accurate prediction of either the effect of chromatic adaption, or the appearance

of colors seen under chromatic light sources.

Under this project, a first task will be an attempt to improve the CRI, the

Color-Rendering Index. Here, a fresh mathematical approach will be taken to defining

a new index that is expected to be equal to the current CRI for most common lamp

types, easier to calculate, absolute (rather than relative to one among an infinitude

of reference sources, as is the current index), and well-defined for lights of all

chromaticities , even spectrally pure lights (unlike the current index). In addition,

the form of the new index may also allow for a particularly simple operational

measurement of color rendering.

With regard to color appearance, two transitional tasks are planned. First, a

research paper on the time course of chromatic adaption will be published, to complete a past project on High Efficiency Lights and Chromatic Response. Second,

preliminary work will begin on an approach to a major study of color appearance

under a variety of light sources, to be carried out in FY 85 and beyond. Steps to

be completed during FY 84 include a literature survey of previous experiments on

color appearance, and formulas that have been proposed for predicting it; pilot

research into several different experimental procedures for quantitatively measuring

color appearance; and a plan for a full-scale laboratory investigation in future

fiscal years.

66
LIGHTING QUALITY GUIDELINES

Belinda L. Collins

(301) 921-2178

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Department of Agriculture

In the first phase of this project, the role of color in meat and poultry

inspection plants will be documented. A field research study will be conducted in

which spectroradiometric measurements of diseased, defective, and normal tissue for

four species will be made under a controlled light source. At the same time, tests

of the accuracy of identifying and discriminating different meat and poultry tissues

will be made under five different light sources, including high intensity discharge

lights. This phase is intended to provide interim guidelines to USDA on light-source

spectral quality and color rendering.

In the second phase, issues related to the prediction of the effectiveness of

color and illumination will be addressed. An approach expanding the basic color

science will be defined as necessary for research-based criteria to be the foundation

of future guidelines. In Phase 1, the role of color rendering of lights for inspection stations will be documented. Phase 2 will address issues related to color

contrasts in meat and poultry tissues as a function of different light sources.

67
LIGHTING ROUNDTABLE III

Arthur I. Rubin

(301) 921-3470

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

This project presented a roundtable sponsored by lES, NBS, the Electrical Power

Research Institute, and the Lighting Research Institute. The purpose of the roundtable was to identify the user lighting issues that would lead to the establishment

of basic and applied research plan for lighting. New issues for the 1980' s have

been identified as computer technologies in the work place, visually intensive

manufacturing and operations, and the impact of high-efficiency sources. The scope

of Roundtable III addressed these issues as they apply in institutional, commercial,

industrial, and outdoor lighting. Residential lighting was excluded. A summary

report on the conference is being prepared.

68
COLOR CALIBRATOR FOR WEATHER RADAR

Jim L. Heldenbrand

(301) 921-2178

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Federal Aviation Administration

Under FAA sponsorship, CBT built, and partially demonstrated a color calibrator

using a single photodiode. In this follow-on effort, a three-photodiode detector

head and related breadboard model circuitry will be designed and fabricated. For

this purpose, the detector heads may be fabricated in three separate or one

integrated assembly. These photodiodes have a response extended into the blue

ultraviolet region. Each photodiode will have an appropriate filter (to be

determined) such that the filtered photodiode will have a maximum response in one

of the three primary wavelength bands (red, blue, green). A precision operational

amplifier will be closely coupled to the photodiode to reduce noise. A power

supply (+15, -15VDC) , potentiometers, and a 100 mV digital readout meter will

complete the color calibrator.

The technical and economic feasibility of the color calibrator approach remains

to be fully demonstrated. Among the unknowns are certain technical issues concerning weather radar operational characteristics, expected degradation modes, and

manufacturing tolerances (e.g., phosphor variation), that were identified in previous

work.

69
SAFETY COLORS AND SIGNS IN WORKPLACE

Belinda L. Collins

(301) 921-2178

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: OSHA

In this project, criteria will be developed for the use of safety colors and

signs in workplaces. The emphasis will be on developing criteria for the use of

colors, including fluorescent ones, to code safety information under energyefficient (HID) and mixed-light sources, as well as criteria for specifying the

size of words and symbols as a function of viewing distance.

A two-phase effort is proposed. In the first 18-month phase, the use of colors

to code information will be documented, along with existing sign/ color /symbol

specifications. Two laboratory research projects will also be conducted. The

first project will use the newly renovated illumination color laboratory. In

the second phase, which will be defined in greater detail at the completion of

Phase 1, methods for predicting the overall effectiveness of safety signs using

words, symbols, and innovative colors will be developed, along with methods for

predicting color appearance.

70
DISCRIMINABILITY FEATURES OF SECURE DOCUMENTS

Belinda L. Collins

(301) 921-2178

Building Physics Division

Sponsor: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

The ultimate objective is to determine those features of existing and proposed

secure documents (paper currency, postage stamps, drivers' licenses, social

security cards, savings bonds, money orders, credit cards) that are most effective

in deterring counterfeiting. The objective of this initial phase is to prepare a

multi-year research plan and begin to identify experimentally those features of

existing counterfeit U.S. paper currency that are most useful in supporting

identification of their counterfeit nature.

Based upon the data found and the researchable issues that are identified and

that fall within CBT's area of competence, a pilot experiment will be conducted

on the discriminability of visual features of selected U.S. paper currency, such

as color, reflectance, size, and shape of graphic elements. This experiment will

include physical measures of currency such as color, spatial frequency, and lightness.

71
BUILDING EQUIPMENT

CBT is developing performance prediction models, measurement techniques,

and test methods for building controls and equipment to serve the needs of

the industry and users.

- Heat Pump and Air-Conditioner Test Procedures

- Performance of Non-Azeotropic Binary Refrigerant Mixture in

Residential Heat Pumps

- Refrigerant Mixture Measurements in Two-Phase Flow

- Water Heater Studies

- Furnace, Boiler, and Household Appliance Test Procedures

- Household Appliance Data Update

Systems and Controls Laboratory

- Test Methods and Evaluation Procedures for Controllers

Controls Dynamic Modeling

- Controls Modeling Workshop

Energy Analysis of Control Strategies

Energy Monitoring and Control System Algorithms

- Measurement of Buoyancy-Induced Liquid Flows

- Numerical Modeling of Multi-story Building Drainage Systems

Performance Testing of Solar Collectors

- Laboratory Accreditation: Solar Collector Testing

- Investigation of Control Strategies to Improve Solar Systems Performance

- Thermal Test Methods: Solar-Assisted Heat Pumps and Cooling Components

and Systems

- Thermal Performance of Passive Solar Apertures and Storage Components

- Evaluation of Integrated Collector Storage Systems

Consulting and Advisory Services: Active Solar Heating and Cooling

- Passive Solar Energy, Class-A Data Program

Radiative Heat-Transfer Modeling and Radiation Measurement

- Validation of New Heat Transfer Algorithms

- Second-Law Analysis of Solar Water Heating Systems

Validation of an Improved Performance Model for Solar Collectors

Systems Effectiveness Research

- Technical Committee Assistance

Technical Problem Assessment

- Mechanical Equipment Criteria for Multi-story Buildings

Thermal Performance Testing: Movable Insulation

Air Quality Criteria for Archival Storage

- Technical Support to DoE

72
HEAT PUMP AND AIR-CONDITIONER TEST PROCEDURES

David A. Dldion

(301) 921-2994

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (PL 94-163) and the National Energy

Conservation Policy Act (PL 95-619) require the Department of Energy to prescribe

test and rating procedures and minimum performance standards for various residential

appliances, including central heat pumps and air conditioners. DoE has, since

1975, relied on CBT to assist in the development of the test procedures. Since

then, DoE has been interested in verifying these test procedures and extending

their scope to include new designs coming onto the market. Also, since the

current procedures have not addressed the case where the components of a given

system may be manufactured by different companies and assembled in the field

(e.g., replacement air conditioner) DoE has directed CBT to develop a procedure

by which these units may be rated. This work encourages energy conservation

affecting virtually all new-production residential heat pumps and air conditioners

in the U.S.

73
PERFORMANCE OF NON-AZEOTROPIC BINARY REFRIGERANT

MIXTURE IN RESIDENTIAL HEAT PUMPS

David A. Didion

(301) 921-2994

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The objective of this study is to quantify the performance of the typical

residential heat pump operating with a non-azeotropic binary refrigerant mixture as

a working fluid. The purpose is twofold. First, CBT is currently modifying its

heat pump performance simulation model to include non-azeotropic mixtures as the

working fluid. This empirical study will be the hardware test verification needed

to confirm the new cycle simulation. The second purpose is to measure the potential

of these mixtures operating in a heat pump as typically designed today; that is, one

designed to operate on single-component refrigerant.

It is anticipated that the adoption of this concept in products being offered

to the consumer could come about within three years. In certain climatic zones,

this is estimated to offer an annual seasonal performance increase of four to five

percent.

74
REFRIGERANT MIXTURE MEASUREMENTS IN TWO-PHASE FLOW

David A. Didion

(301) 921-2994

Building Equipment Division

Sposor: National Bureau of Standards

The convective heat transfer coefficent is the single most important property

for the design of heat exchangers. For those heat exchangers which have internal

boiling or condensation coupled with forced convection (e.g., refrigerant systems,

steam power systems) , the complexity of flow conditions are such that coefficient

values are normally completely empirically based. Since this study focuses on

binary mixtures which are non-azeotropic (different boiling/ condensation points),

the problem is complicated even further. In single-component fluids it is typical

to establish an empirically-based functional relationship between the convective

heat transfer coefficient and the other transport properties (e.g., conductivity,

visocity) for a given range of flow patterns and thermodynamic conditions. Once

these relationships are established for categories of fluids, it is possible to

predict the heat transfer coefficient based on the measurements of other transport

properties that are significantly easier to make. In the area of non-azeotropic

mixtures, virtually no such relationships among the transport properties exist.

The specific group of fluids that will be studied are f luorocarbons that are

used or intended to be used as refrigerants. The apparent advantages of using

non-azeotropic mixtures in refrigerant systems are Improvement in efficiency,

less environmental (ozone) impact, multi-level evaporators, and self-lubricating

working fluids. The evaluation of any of these possible advantages entails an

overall performance evaluation of the refrigerant system, which in turn requires

knowledge of the transport properties of the refrigerant.

The heat transfer data and relationships that evolve from this study will be

used by researchers in the refrigeration industry to quantify the advantages of

binary mixtures in their future refrigeration systems design. Also, it will

provide CBT with a measurement facility that is equally applicable to the wide

variety of binary mixtures found in chemical plants.

75
WATER HEATER STUDIES

James E. Harris

(301) 921-2935

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (PL 94-193) has mandated that household

appliances, including water heaters, be labeled for energy use using standardized

testing methods. Thus, it is necessary to establish standard test procedures

that allow the accurate determination of energy efficiency, are repeatable, and

not burdensome to perform. The objectives of this project are to expand and/or

modify the DoE water heater test procedures where required and to provide laboratory

data, analyses, and recommendations related to the test procedures.

76
1 FURNACE, BOILER, AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TEST PROCEDURES

Esher R. Kweller

(301) 921-2935

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This project will provide the industry, via DoE, an equitable testing and rating

procedure for determining the seasonal energy performance of central residential

furnaces, boilers, and household heating equipment; and will assist DoE in this

effort by conducting laboratory studies of furnaces, boilers, and household heaters

and their associated equipment. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (PL 94-163)

and the National Energy Conservation Act (PL 95-619) require the Department of Energy

to prescribe test procedures for various residential appliances, including furnaces,

boilers, and household heating equipment. Test procedures for furnaces were published

in the Federal Register in May 1978 (including test procedures for household heaters).

Since then, DoE has updated and will continue to update the procedures to include

new product designs coming on the market. On June 17, 1983, DoE published a comprehensive revision of the test procedures for furnaces, boilers, and household heaters,

including new procedures for modulating controlled equipment, thermal stack dampers,

and unvented gas and kerosene fueled heaters. During the course of this development,

CBT has supported DoE in defending and/or modifying the test procedures. This work

will encourage energy conservation through the production of more efficient equipment

for residential space heating.

77
HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE DATA UPDATE

Joseph Greenberg

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act as amended by the National Energy

Conservation Policy Act requires the development of test procedures, labeling

rules, and energy efficient standards for consumer appliances. These requirements

must be established using representative data when reflecting such items as energy

efficiency, energy use, etc. Many of the parametric values used in the initial

rulemaking have changed due to energy price increases, changed consumer behavior,

availability of more efficient appliances, etc. This project will develop the

data needed to update the various rules promulgated by the Energy Conservation

Program for Consumer Products using the most current available data.

78
SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS LABORATORY

George E. Kelly

(301) 921-2144

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The focus of this program will be developing mathematical models and measurement

techniques for evaluating the performance of building systems and controls

,

encouraging energy conservation in buildings through improved control strategies

and software, and developing guidelines for automated building management systems.

This research effort will complement CBT's current DoE-sponsored research

program aimed at documenting the energy savings potential of the most commonly

employed HVAC control strategies, developing algorithms for building control

systems, evaluating the reliability of automated building management systems, and

studying the application of sensors in energy monitoring and control systems.

This year's effort calls for the installation of a completed Energy Management

and Controls System in the NBS Administration Building and the carrying out of

research to verify and refine both the building/HVAC/control simulation model and

the EMCS Application Algorithms developed in FY 83 and FY 84. In addition, the

integration of building services through the use of simultaneous voice and digital

communication systems will be explored.

79
TEST METHODS AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES FOR CONTROLLERS

Robert D. Dikkers

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The field performance of many active solar systems has not been as good as

expected. Data from instrumented sites indicate that approximately 40% of the monitored systems have performed at one-half or less, of design expectations. Problem

areas have included corrosion, leaks, poor design and installation, and poor reliability of control systems (including sensors). Controllers have been identified as

the least reliable solar components in various studies of field problems.

As part of the FY 83 Systems Effectiveness Research Program, CBT held a meeting

in August 1983 with controller manufacturers to obtain recommendations for future

research. One of the high-priority research areas identified was the development of

test and evaluation criteria for controller hardware.

In FY 84, using results of previous studies carried out by NBS and SERI, CBT

will develop a recommended plan for developing test methods and evaluation procedures

for controllers. This plan will outline the types of controllers to be studied, and

various tests (i.e., functional, environmental, electrical, sensor interface, etc.)

to be performed. Existing test methods will be reviewed and referenced where appropriate. The recommended plan will be developed with industry and other organization

input, widely circulated for review and comments, and will be revised as necessary.

The resulting plan will provide the basis for a laboratory research program to start

in FY 85. The plan will also identify industry and standards-writing organizations

that should be involved to process the recommended test methods and evaluation

procedures into national consensus standards.

80
CONTROLS DYNAMIC MODELING

George E. Kelly

(301) 921-2144

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: U.S. Navy and Department of Energy

None of the building simulation programs (e.g., BLAST 2, DoE 2) in existence

today account for HVAC control dynamics. As a result of this, there exists very

little reliable data on the amount of energy waste in buildings due to control

dynamics and absolutely no information on how to design and operate building

control systems to optimize dynamic performance. This project will concentrate

on developing simulation models that can be used to predict the dynamic, "minuteby-minute" performance of control systems for building air handlers and heating/

cooling plants. This will cover the most common types of HVAC systems and will

include research to develop simulation models for building equipment, HVAC

components, controls, and zones, and the simulation of the entire building/HVAC/

control system. Work this year will concentrate on verifying and refining models

of the various components found in building air handlers, and developing a simple

building shell model and an interactive "front end" for a building/HVAC/control

system simulation program.

81
CONTROLS MODELING WORKSHOP

George E. Kelly

(301) 921-3839

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

CBT helped organize a workshop on HVAC Controls Modeling and Simulation to

review and document the state-of-the-art in the mathematical modeling and simulation

of building HVAC systems and controls. Control process simulation aimed at

increased understanding and improved products has been and is being carried out

by industry, universities, government laboratories, and through the sponsorship

of research programs by societies such as ASHRAE. Because of the diversity of

the organizations involved and the differing objectives of their work, it is

often difficult to determine the status of these activities. This can lead to a

duplication of effort, as well as a significant difference in the depth to which

models and simulation methods are developed and verified.

82
ENERGY ANALYSIS OF CONTROL STRATEGIES

James Kao

(301) 921-3844

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

A study is urgently needed to independently document the potential energy savings

of different commonly used strategies. Last year, CBT used the computer program

BLAST 2 to evaluate control strategies for a variety of HVAC systems in a large

office building and a large retail store in different regions of the country. Typical

strategies studied were dry bulb economizer cycle, enthalpy economizer cycle, hot

and cold deck temperature reset, zone control, floating space temperature, and

scheduled setback. The results of these individual research studies will be combined

and summarized in a report suitable for publication in either the ASHRAE Journal or

the ASHRAE Transactions.

83
ENERGY MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM ALGORITHMS

William B. May

(301) 921-3839

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: U.S. Navy and Department of Energy

At present, there are no standardized, nonproprietary EMCS application algorithms

available for use by companies entering the building controls field. Many of

these companies lack training and experience in HVAC systems , building controls

,

and algorithm development. As a result, the building owner or manager who

purchases their system is often stuck with an EMC system that either doesn't work

or only partially works.

To assure a minimum level of performance of EMC systems , CBT plans to develop

public-domain algorithms for HVAC/building applications. Past work concentrated

on the completion of algorithms for the control of building air handlers, including

optimal start/stop, scheduled time of day stop/start, duty cycling, demand limiting

temperature reset, and economizer cycle. This year, the effort will involve the

validation and refinement of these air handling algorithms and the expansion of

this effort to include the development of algorithms for the control of centrifugal

chillers

.

The development of public domain algorithms for EMC systems should greatly

improve their performance, especially for systems made by small manufacturers,

and lead to increased energy conservation in commercial buildings. Specifications

of such algorithms will help to assure that future energy measurement and control

systems provide at least this minimum of capability.

84
MEASUREMENT OF BUOYANCY-INDUCED LIQUID FLOWS

A. Hunter Fanney

(301) 921-3620

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Current techniques for measuring flow rates in closed loop systems include the

use of turbine flowmeters, venturi meters, and orifice meters. Unfortunately,

all of these devices introduce significant flow restrictions which cannot be

tolerated in buoyancy-induced flow. The use of noninvasive flow measurement

techniques such as magnetic and ultrasonic flow meters require a fluid velocity

greater than that obtained in many buoyancy-induced flow situations. The lack of

a technique to measure these low flow rates without significantly alternating the

flow rate results in a void of experimental data needed to validate various

computer simulation tools used in building equipment applications. Under this

project, the sensitivity and stability of thermistor sensors will be determined

as functions of the bulk fluid temperature, flow rate, and the power dissipated by

the self-heated thermistor. Calibration techniques will be developed that present

the sensor data in a convenient dimensionless parameter representation.

85
NUMERICAL MODELING OF MULTI-STORY BUILDING DRAINAGE

SYSTEMS

Lawrence S. Galowin

(301) 921-3293,

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

This project will develop extensions of the partially-filled pipe unsteady

flow network program, derived under the Brunei University contract, to include

vertical connection of a number of single-floor networks. The expanded computer

program and modeling provides simulations of multi-story building drainage systems.

A workshop session will be organized jointly with Brunei University and held at CBT

late in 1984 for application demonstrations of the developed model for interested

designers and codes/standards and professional organizations.

The extension to multi-story systems will involve development of an energy inlet

boundary condition to simulate stack flow entering the building drain at the lowest

level network, prior to leaving the building via a main sewer connection. The

basis for this boundary condition equation already exists in the simulation of

appliance discharage with the existing network model. Developments will be

supported by validation tests in the laboratory at Brunei University. The final

multi-story program will be suitable for the NBS/CBT computing facility.

86
PERFORMANCE TESTING OF SOLAR COLLECTORS

Kent A. Reed

(301) 921-3465

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

CBT is performing a major role in the development of test and evaluation

procedures for determining the performance of solar energy materials and components

used in the heating and cooling of buildings in the United States. The Department

of Energy has requested that NBS contribute to the international cooperative

research in solar energy organized by the International Energy Agency. The intent

of this cooperative research is to provide a common base of validated experience

and information for all of the participating countries. This work will contribute

to the formulation and evaluation of international standards. Such international

standards are currently nonexistent in solar energy.

87
LABORATORY ACCREDITATION: SOLAR COLLECTOR TESTING

Robert D. Dikkers

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This project will document the need for a solar collector laboratory

accreditation program. This documentation will be based on discussions with

solar collector manufacturers , collector testing laboratories , various agencies

and research organizations working in solar energy, and state solar energy offices.

The results of this work will be vital to further solar-collector testing and

certification programs.

88
INVESTIGATION OF CONTROL STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SOLAR

SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE

A. Hunter Fanney

(301) 921-3620

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

In this project, CBT will investigate two control schemes for a direct forcedcirculation solar system. The two control schemes are on/off control of a reduced,

fixed flow rate through the solar collector array and the control of a variable flow

rate such that the temperature of the fluid returning to the storage tank minimizes

mixing. Only the first control scheme will be investigated in FY 84

.

Two identical double-tank direct solar systems at the NBS solar test facilities

will be used for this investigation. The major experimental activities to begin in

FY 84 are (1) measurement of the collector array efficiency at various flow rates

and (2) measurement and comparison of the thermal performance of one system operated

in a conventional manner and the second system operated under the alternate control

scheme

.

In FY 84, an analytical activity will be started to develop the detailed computer

simulation model for the complete system. This activity will focus on accounting

adequately for the variation of collector array efficiency with flow rate. Later,

this investigation will be completed with the comparative measurement of the thermal

performance of a system operating under variable flow-rate schemes and with completion

of the detailed computer simulation model including the effect of thermal stratification of the storage tank. A detailed comparison of the model and the experimental

results will be made.

89
THERMAL TEST METHODS: SOLAR-ASSISTED HEAT PUMPS AND

COOLING COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS

Kent A. Reed

(301) 921-3465

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This task draws on previous efforts in solar equipment and building equipment

to develop viable test methods and evaluation procedures for solar-assisted heat

pumps and solar cooling components and systems. Based on reviews of the work performed at CBT and elsewhere, as well as the existing industry consensus standards

issued by ASHRAE and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, modified test

methods and evaluation procedures will be drafted. An interagency report will be

prepared for the sponsor summarizing the recommendations for test and evaluation

procedures for these solar components.

90
THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF PASSIVE SOLAR APERTURES AND

STORAGE COMPONENTS

Michael E. McCabe

(301) 921-2308

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The objectives of this project are to identify and quantify the basic heat

transfer mechanisms that occur in various passive/hybrid solar components and to

reproduce these mechanisms under laboratory conditions. Representative passive

solar apertures and thermal solar components will be obtained and prepared for testing. Detailed thermal models will be prepared for each of the passive solar components

undergoing test. Validation of each thermal network model will be accomplished by

comparison of predicted temperatures and heat fluxes with those measured during

testing. Each component selected will be tested in the passive solar calorimeter

which measures the thermal performance of the test articles under conditions of

controlled interior and actual exterior thermal environments. Indoor testing, when

appropriate, will be performed for selected components for specific exterior conditions

and a controlled interior condition. The results of the experimental testing will

be evaluated using the theoretical models.

91
EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED COLLECTOR STORAGE SYSTEMS

A. Hunter Fanney

(301) 921-3620

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The thermal performance of systems using integral collector storage (ICS) is

influenced substantially by the surrounding infrared radiation environment, conventionally characterized by an effective sky temperature, to which the system is

subjected.

In this project, experimental and analytical research will be undertaken to

determine how ICS systems respond to thermal irradiance under both indoor and outdoor

operating conditions. In previous CBT studies, two fully instrumented ICS's and a

data-acquisition system were developed and these will be used for both indoor and

outdoor experimentation. Experiments are planned under indoor conditions that simulate both nominal infrared irradiance and night-time cooldown periods. These results

will be compared with data obtained from corresponding outdoor tests. The data and

an analytical model will be used to determine how to relate outdoor and indoor test

results. A special emphasis is to be on measuring the levels and structures of

thermal irradiance (emitted and reflected) indoors and outdoors.

The analytical work will provide the methodology for measuring the background

thermal irradiance and normalizing the test data to a more representative outdoor

environment of a number of configurations. The findings will then be used to recommend improvements in irradiance simulator design and test procedures.

92
CONSULTING AND ADVISORY SERVICES: ACTIVE SOLAR HEATING

AND COOLING

Robert D. Dikkers

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

Under this task, CBT will provide consulting and advisory services to technically

support DoE (Active Heating and Cooling Division). These services include the following activities: active participation in conferences sponsored by DoE, SERI, ASHRAE,

and other organizations to discuss performance criteria, standards and various

research activities; meetings with representatives of other government agencies

(Federal and/or State) and foreign governments at the request of DoE to discuss NHS

solar energy program activities; active participation in DoE planning and program

review meetings; and review and evaluation of requests for proposals, contractor

reports, program planning documents, and other program activities.

93
PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY, CLASS A DATA PROGRAM

Bal M. Mahajan

(301) 921-3294

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The objectives of this project are: to acquire and distribute to the participating researchers, Class-A performance data for various passive subsystems under

different experimental conditions for use in detailed building energy analysis and

model/algorithm validation, and performance characterization of various passive

subsystems. Also, CBT will provide the necessary technical planning and coordination

for the effective collection and use of Class-A performance data in support of the

Passive Solar Program.

The DoE Passive Solar Energy Class-A Program was established to collect, analyze,

and archive detailed laboratory, test-cell, and building performance data of high

quality. These data are to be used for the validation of whole-building energycalculation methods and component models and for the development of new algorithms

which characterize the behavior of innovative components, systems, and subsystems in

buildings. At present, the NBS Class-A Passive Test Building is one of nine test

facilities or buildings in the Class-A network of five passive heating facilities

and four passive cooling facilities. In addition, other data are being taken at

several other facilities both within and outside of DoE sponsorship.

94
RADIATIVE HEAT-TRANSFER MODELING AND RADIATION

MEASUREMENT

Michael E. McCabe

(301) 921-2308

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The objectives of this project are to develop a computer code that models the

admission and subsequent absorption of the radiant flux from sun and sky in partially

transparent enclosures and to obtain detailed measurements of actual sky-radiance

distribution.

For the modeling part of this study, a matrix formulation of solar radiative

heat transfer in partially transparent enclosures will be developed. The enclosure

model will predict the instantaneous rate of solar energy absorption at each surface

of an enclosure into which beam and diffuse solar radiant energy is transmitted. A

computer code will be developed to model both specular and diffuse internal reflections.

Existing algorithms to compute diffuse radiative view factors and beam radiative

blockage factors based on configuration geometry will be obtained and incorporated

into the code. Tabular values of the optical properties of several typical glazing

systems will be provided with the option of user-provided optical characteristics.

For the measurement part of the project, a scanning spectroradiometer will be

procured, installed, and checked out. The instrument will be capable of scanning

the sky and foreground in both angle and wavelength. The first year of operation

will be devoted to exercising the instrument in all its modes of operation and comparing its output to more traditional measurements of irradiance and illuminance. A

methodology will be developed for a long-term program of sky-radiance measurement

and analysis. This methodology must be able to handle the very large amount of data

that will be generated in the program and it will be able to provide adequate characterization of the conditions in which the data are taken.

95
VALIDATION OF NEW HEAT TRANSFER ALGORITHMS

Michael E. McCabe

(301) 921-2308

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

In this project, the CBT Passive Solar Test Building will be instrumented to

measure the distribution of radiant solar flux incident on all of the surfaces of

the direct gain room. External beam and diffuse components of flux will be

measured at all apertures and input to a detailed solar radiative transfer model.

The resulting predictions will be compared with the experimental data for several

grounds tory and clerestory aperture combinations and for clear and overcast sun

conditions

.

Additional instruments will be placed on the floor to measure the ground

coupling flux during the winter heating season. The CBT and NRC algorithms will

be added to CBT's Thermal Analysis Research Program (TARP) to simulate the

interaction of the rest of the building with the floor and ground on an hourly

basis. The predictions will be compared with the experimental data. The products

of this research will be reports describing the validated algorithms for computing

the spatial distribution of absorbed solar flux in an enclosure and the earth

contact heat transfer for a slab-on-grade floor.

96

I
SECOND-LAW ANALYSIS OF SOLAR WATER SYSTEMS

A. Hunter Fanney

(301) 921-3620

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The second law of thermodynamics establishes the maximum possible efficiency

for a system by revealing the amount of energy that is theoretically usable, called

the available energy (exergy) , in any process that works between the same temperature

limits. A second-law analysis, therefore, provides the means to evaluate the effectiveness of a given system and can guide the optimization of the system performance

by identifying which inefficiencies are avoidable and which are exacted by nature.

Second-law analyses are becoming more common in solar engineering , but to date

they have focused either on fundamentals such as the appropriate definition of a

thermodynamic source temperature for solar radiation or on advanced technologies

such as solar cooling. Little work has been done to analyze the performance of

simple solar energy systems on a second-law basis and determine if the second-law

analysis provides new or more easily-obtained insights about the system performance

and its optimization.

In this project, CBT will review the available literature on second-law analysis,

summarize the pertinent work and identify fruitful approaches for solar energy systems.

CBT will conduct a second-law analysis of typical solar water heating systems, and

will consult with recognized experts in the academic/engineering community in developing and verifying this analysis. CBT will compare the results of the second-law

analysis to previously verified first-law analyses for the same systems.

97
VALIDATION OF IMPROVED PERFORMANCE MODEL FOR SOLAR

COLLECTORS

Kent A. Reed

(301) 921-3465

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

Previous work at CBT has demonstrated that various solar collectors and collector

test methods are sensitive to environmental conditions. Recent work at Argonne

National Laboratory has shown, in turn, the environmental sensitivity of system

performance. Now what is needed is a multi-parameter performance model for solar

collectors that accounts for changes in environmental and operational conditions and

that provides adequate predictions of day-long performance. This model is needed to

be able to analyze and understand system field performance data and to determine

whether augmented testing requirements should be imposed in existing collector test

methods

.

In FY 83 , analytical and numerical studies were conducted at CBT to examine the

differences in thermal performance of solar collectors tested outdoors and with

solar irradiance simulators. These studies considered the effect of spectral and

spatial distributions of the irradiance and the effect of sky temperature, and provide

the technical basis for including these factors in a multi-parameter model.

In FY 84, CBT will complete the characterization started in FY 83 of the solar

irradiance simulator installed in the large environmental chamber, and conduct experiments with this simulator to verify the findings of the analytical and numerical

studies carried out in FY 83. CBT will develop a generalized multiparameter performance model that introduces the variable effects of wind, sky temperature, radiation

distribution, and flow rate. The model will be tested using the solar simulator

test data and data acquired in previous CBT collector research.

This task will be completed in FY 85 with a validation of the model using

evacuated tublar collector test data to be obtained at CBT and system performance

data collected at Argonne National Laboratory and at the U.S. and Canadian facilities

participating in Task VI of the lEA Solar Heating and Cooling Research Program.

98
SYSTEMS EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH

Robert D. Dikkers

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The experience of the Department of Energy in the National Solar Demonstration

Program and information from the private sector has confirmed the existence of serious

reliablity and maintainability problems with active solar heating and cooling systems.

In addition, the Domestic Policy Review, completed in 1979, concluded that the low

reliability of solar energy systems was limiting the growth of the solar Industry.

During the past several years, CBT, Argonne National Laboratory, and other organizations have been evaluating the various technical problems (e.g., freezing, corrosion,

control failures, etc.) which have been experienced during the conduct of the Solar

Heating and Cooling Demonstration Program. Data collected on system failures have

been collected and stored by several organizations and a comprehensive summarization

and analysis would aid in sharply focusing attention to reliability and maintainability solutions. The objectives of this project are to evaluate the R&M of solar

heating and cooling systems and to identify research that will improve the effectiveness (performance and reliability) of solar space conditioning systems.

99
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ASSISTANCE

Robert D. Dikkers

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

It is expected that solar standards, being developed by ASHRAE, ASTM, and other

organizations, will provide industry, government officials, designers and consumers

with a uniform basis for the evaluation, development and selection of solar energy

materials, components and systems. CBT will actively participate in various committees of organizations (e.g., ASHRAE, ASTM, ISO, ANSI) now engaged in standards development and planning activities. Where appropriate, CBT staff will provide research

data and draft standards to assist these committees in the preparation of voluntary

consensus standards.

100
TECHNICAL PROBLEM ASSESSMENT

Robert D. Dikkers

(301) 921-3285

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The Solar Federal Building Program (SFBP) offers an opportunity for the

identification and characterization of state-of-the-art reliability and maintainability (R&M) problems that need to be addressed. The systems are representative of

the current state-of-the-art. In addition, since the systems are just beginning to

be operational and since they are owned by the Federal government, it is possible to

characterize R&M problems in a controlled manner from the time when system start-up

and operation commences. Therefore, CBT will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Problem Identification ; Maintenance reports from the SFBP will be

reviewed by R&M problems identified and tabulated.

Task 2: Problem Characterization : To the extent possible, the actual causes

of the R&M problems will be identified. Field inspections will be

performed where necessary.

Task 3: Data Evaluation and Analysis : The results of this study will be

compared with previous results obtained from analysis and evaluation of

solar demonstration program R&M data. Recommendations will be made as

to key R&M areas where research would provide the most benefit.

At project's end, an NBSIR will be published documenting the findings of the

identification and characterization of state-of-the-art R&M problems in the Solar

Federal Buildings Program plus the analysis and evaluation of the R&M data. Recommendations will be made as to key R&M areas where research would provide the most

benefit.

101
MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT CRITERIA FOR MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS

Lawrence S. Galowin

(301) 921-3293 , Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

This project will develop and prepare the criteria for mechanical equipment

installed in multi-story buildings eligible for the DoE Weatherization Assistance

Program. This task includes a review of the limited amount of equipment previously

included in the DoE Weatherization Measures list regarding eligible mechanical

equipment and devices, criteria and standards, and expansion of the criteria for

other mechanical equipment and devices.

102
THERMAL PERFORMANCE TESTING: MOVABLE INSULATION

Michael E. McCabe

(301) 921-2308

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Bonneville Power Administration

The objective of this project is to prepare an interim thermal performance

test procedure for use by the Bonneville Power Administration in the Residential

Weatherization Program to retrofit windows with movable thermal insulation.

Although a number of different procedures for thermal testing components of building

thermal envelopes such as walls and windows are available , no concensus currently

exists as to which procedure is most suitable for measuring thermal transmittance

(U-Factor) of windows and window insulation systems. Comparisions made by the

National Bureau of Standards between two existing test procedures conducted in

two commerical testing laboratories revealed substantial differences between the

measured U-Factors. These differences were attributed to the different techniques

used by each laboratory to simulate wind

.

It is evident that a laboratory test procedure which is capable of measuring

changes in U-Factor of windows with movable insulation is required; however,

without the uncertainties introduced by simulating wind. The scope of such an

interim test procedure would be limited to winter heating conditions and would not

consider the effects of solar gain or wind. To be effective, the interim test

procedure should be capable of being performed at a number of independent testing

laboratories at nominal cost and with reasonable accuracy and responsibility.

103
AIR QUALITY CRITERIA FOR ARCHIVAL STORAGE

Robert G. Mathey

(301) 921-2629

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: General Services Administration

The National Archives Building, which houses many of the nations' s basic

documentary materials, was constructed in the early 1930' s and was one of the

first buildings in Washington to provide all-season environmental control. The

controlled environment was prescribed to protect the nation's valuable records

from the effects of extreme temperature and relative humidity, and from pollutants

such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The original system, although designed

to meet these objectives, has been modified over the years and has had a history

of less-than-satisfactory performance.

Under this project, CBT will measure pollutants in the air at selected locations

in the stack area of the National Archives Building to determine baseline

performance of the existing environmental control systems. Measurements will

also be made in other buildings. Existing data of temperature and relative

humidity conditions in the spaces used for records storage will be reviewed and

additional data taken, if necessary, to determine current performance for thermal

and humidity control.

A search will be made to determine the most up-to-date standards and "operating

procedures" used in the design and maintenance of records storage facilities.

Experts in the field of gaseous and particulate pollutants will be consulted to

obtain their advice on the availability and acceptability of existing standards

or the need to establish new limits for contaminants that accelerate degradation

of historic artifacts and records. As a result of the investigation, criteria will

be drafted for review by the National Archives which give recommended limits for

control of environmental conditions. These criteria could be used as the basis for

a GSA contract for upgrading the mechanical system of the building.

104
TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO DOE

Robert Wise

(301) 921-2935

Building Equipment Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act provides for the granting of waivers

from testing for products which cannot be tested in accordance with the currently

prescribed DoE test procedures. For DoE to respond to petitions from manufacturers

for waiver, DoE must first resolve the question of applicability of currently prescribed test procedures to the products in question and then decide if waivers are

to be granted or if testing under present test procedures is in order. CBT will

provide DoE with the technical bases to make such decisions.

105
QUALITY OF BUILDING MATERIALS

CBT is developing laboratory and field test methods to provide more reliable and economical means to predict service lives of building

materials and to assure intended performance of cements, concretes,

coating systems, and coatings for steel.

Organic Coatings

Degradation of Organic Protective Coatings

Nondestructive Early Detection of Corrosion and Delamination

Under Protective Coatings Using the Thermal Wave Method

Performance of Porous Inorganic Materials

Application of Life-Test Analysis Concepts to Building Materials

Effects of Acid Rain on Building Stone

Development of Tests for Predicting Adhesive-Bond Durability

Evaluation of Single-Ply Roofing Systems

Bonded Seams in Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

Probabilistic Study of Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

Performance of Residential Siding

Standards for High-Security Glazing Materials

Evaluation of Optical Techniques for Measuring Absorber Materials

Degradation

Environmental Degradation of Polymeric Cover Materials for Solar

Collectors

Measurement Techniques for Evaluating Reflector Materials

Standards for Phase-Change Storage Materials

High -Specific -Heat Passive -Storage Media

Tri-Services Technical and Scientific Support

AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (ARML)

Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL)

106
ORGANIC COATINGS

Mary E. McKnight

(301) 921-2635

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Tri-Services Coiranittee

The annual cost associated with the use of organic coatings in the U.S. exceeds

$8 billion, more than half of which stems from the use of protective coatings in

buildings and structures. If effective criteria for the selection and use of protective coatings are available, as much as 25 percent of these expenditures could be

saved. An essential element of selection and use criteria for protective coatings

is service life. But currently available methods for predicting service life based

upon short-term tests do not adequately meet the need for data to aid selection and

use. The objective of this research is to develop improved test and evaluation

methods for predicting the service life of protective coatings under in-service use

conditions; these methods can be used as part of improved criteria for the selection

and use of protective coatings.

This year the project will focus upon extending and refining mathematical models

and developing improved test methods to characterize performance properties of waterborne emulsions. Laboratory work will be done to support development of improved

tests for application properties and stain resistance. Improved tests are needed to

develop an ASTM standard performance specification for interior architectural coatings.

Also, advisory and consultative services, based upon laboratory and field tests,

will be performed.

107
DEGRADATION OF ORGANIC PROTECTIVE COATINGS

Tinh Nguyen and Mary E. McKnlght

(301) 921-3208, (301) 921-2635

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Polymeric coatings are one of the most effective, economic, and widely-used

means to prolong the service life of corrosion-prone substrate materials used in the

infrastructure. However, the coatings, although interpenetrating and highly polymeric,

are frequently susceptible to degradation under in-service environments. Surfaceanalysis data indicate that degradation of coatings at the substrate/coating interface is responsible for many of the failures of coatings. Interfacial degradation

can lead, for example, to the formation and growth of blisters and to the occurrence

of corrosion reactions beneath protective coatings. Since the occurrence of blistering and corrosion beneath coatings are important mechanisms of degradation, research

is needed to better understand the processes contributing to these mechanisms, to

develop improved methods of detection and quantification of blistering and corrosion

beneath coatings, and to develop models to aid in predicting their rates of formation

and growth.

The research approach focuses upon the identification of mechanisms leading to

blister formation and corrosion, and the development of improved methods for detecting

blisters and corrosion, particularly at early stages. Previous research has led to

the development of preliminary mathematical models for predicting the rate of formation and growth of blisters and corrosion, and to the development of a method, based

upon infrared thermography, for detecting degradation beneath coatings. The first

part of the research will study the mechanisms of interfacial degradation needed for

validating the models. The second part of the research will extend previous research

on IR thermography by improving the enhancement and analysis of the thermographic

image

.

108
NONDESTRUCTIVE EARLY DETECTION OF CORROSION AND

DELAMINATION UNDER PROTECTIVE COATINGS USING THE

THERMAL WAVE METHOD

Tinh Nguyen

(301) 921-3208

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Current methods to detect and assess corrosion of steel under protective

coatings, and delamination at the metal/coating interface involve visibly observing

or destructively peeling off the film. Another method, infrared thermography, has

recently been used in our laboratory to non-destructively detect corrosion and

blisters under protective coatings. All of these methods suffer a major disadvantage

the detection is only possible after the materials have been severely damaged.

Thus, one of the objectives in research on service-life prediction of coatings on

steel is to develop a nondestructive method to detect very early corrosion and

delamination under pigmented coatings. A recently developed method, thermal wave

imaging, has been applied in the semiconductor industry to detect and image small

subsurface defects, microcracks and dopant regions. It appears from these applications and from our preliminary work that the method is potentially an excellent

research tool to detect early corrosion and delamination under coating films.

The objective of the first phase of this research is to investigate the

feasibility of using thermal wave imaging for early detection of corrosion of

steel protected by coating. Thermal wave detection and imaging are dependent on

material properties such as specific heat, thermal conductivity and density, and

the modulation frequency of the electron beam used. The effect of these factors

will also be assessed.

109
PERFORMANCE OF POROUS INORGANIC MATERIALS

Lawrence I. Knab

(301) 921-3120

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Improved understanding of the deterioration mechanisms and the effects of the

environment on the mechanisms is needed to develop models for reliably predicting the

durability of porous inorganic materials. The purpose of this multi-year project

is to investigate important deterioration mechanisms involving cracking processes

in porous inorganic materials and develop analytical models describing the processes

.

Concrete, mortar, stone, and brick are important examples of porous inorganic

materials. In FY 83 a method was developed using fluorescent epoxy thin sections

to observe the fracture zone around a propagating crack in the interior of mortar

specimens. In addition to providing valuable new information on the microstructural

details of the fracture zone, the methods should be extremely useful in elucidating

other cracking processes in concrete, including freeze-thaw action, corrosion of

reinforcement, and mechanical fatigue.

During FY 84, the f luorescent-epoxy method will be used to investigate cracking

processes caused by fatique. Fracture mechanics will be used in conjunction with

fluorescent-thin sections to investigate the effects of the micros t rueture features.

110
APPLICATION OF LIFE-TEST ANALYSIS CONCEPTS TO

BUILDING MATERIALS

Jonathan W. Martin

(301) 921-3208

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Reliable prediction of service life is needed to aid the selection and use of

polymeric building materials. But major technical barriers to the development of

predictive models arise from the complexity of the degradation processes, particularly

the synergistic effects of ultraviolet radiation, temperature, moisture, and other

factors. Currently, predictive models and accelerated tests do not account for this

synergism. The thrust of this research is to develop stochastic models incorporating

synergistic degradation effects. These models will be validated against laboratory

and outdoor test data.

Prior research has led to the development of a stochastic model as a function

of two of the above degradation factors (ultraviolet irradiance and temperature)

using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a model material. This year the model will

be extended to include moisture. PMMA specimens will be exposed to several relative

humidity levels, keeping irradiance and temperatures constant. The level of moisture

in each specimen will be measured using a Fourier transform infrared measurement

technique. Degradation of the materials will be measured using gel permeation

chromatography. In the mathematical modeling phase of the research, extensions will

be made to the current stochastic model. Degradation will be modeled in terms of

the chemical and physical changes occurring within the material.

The project will help put durability-related evaluation methodologies on a

probabilistic basis, advance the technology of service-life prediction by providing

an improved predictive model and by demonstrating an approach that can be used with

a wide range of building materials, provide an improved understanding of the

mechanisms of degradation, and identify paths of future research for other building

materials and components.

1 1 1
EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN ON BUILDING STONE

Larry I. Knab

(301) 921-3120

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Park Service

The purpose of this project is to assist the Interagency Task Group on Acid

Precipitation in coordinating the exposure program for stone and to develop methods

for measuring rates of deterioration. It is anticipated that the exposure program

will be carried out for ten years and will involve three to five types of stone. It

will be the most comprehensive study performed in the United States on the effects

of acid precipitation on stone.

CBT is responsible for making available a research stone, development of stone

exposure methods, and identification of methods for characterizing the important

properties of stone. .The first two research stones exposed to acid precipitation

are Indiana Salem limestone and Vermont marble. Representative samples are being

studied to obtain pre-exposure (baseline) data for comparison with post-exposure

measurements. In future years, other stones will be exposed to acid precipitation

and their deterioration rates measured.

112
DEVELOPMENT OF TESTS FOR PREDICTING ASHESIVE-BOND

DURABILITY

Jonathan W. Martin

(301) 921-3208

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: U.S. Army

All branches of the military use lightweight, air transportable, rigid structures

which serve as combination shipping containers and shelters for many types of

tactical and life-support services. The use of these shelters has increased rapidly

in recent years and life-cycle costs have become a major consideration. The shelters

are fabricated from sandwich panels with either paper honeycomb or foam plastic

cores. While honeycomb panels have several potential advantages, field experience

has shown many problems. De-bonding of panel components, stemming from poor adhesive

performance, is a frequently observed problem. To address poor adhesive performance,

a need exists for improved accelerated tests and probability based-mathematical

models to aid in predicting service life.

Under this project, honeycomb sandwich panels will be exposed to a cyclic

temperature environment at 95 percent relative humidity. The panels will be monitored

for delaminations as a function of exposure time. The time, after Initiation of

exposure, at which delaminations are detected is the service life for the panel.

The service life for panels exposed to the same exposure conditions will be used

in determining a suitable theoretical life distribution. The parameters of the

life distribution will be used in determining the time transformation function

relating time to failure and thermal stress. The transformation function will be

useful in predicting service life under various environmental stresses.

1 13
EVALUATION OF SINGLE-PLY ROOFING SYSTEMS

Robert G. MatHey

(301) 921-2629

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Tri-Services Committee

A recent survey projected that single-ply materials will account for 25 percent

of low-slope roofing by 1985. Furthermore, there are more than 100 products available

and marketed as single-ply membranes in this country. Standards and criteria for

single-ply roofing materials have not been established in the United States. The

lack of standards, accelerated evaluative test methods, and performance criteria

makes the selection and acceptance of single-ply systems difficult. The objective

of this investigation is to assess the adequacy of existing requirements given in

standards and specifications for single-ply sheet roofing materials. The assessment

will provide a technical basis for preliminary criteria and guide specifications

for single-ply membranes.

114
V

I BONDED SEAMS IN SINGLE-PLY ROOFING MEMBRANES

Walter J. Rossiter

(301) 921-3109

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

Since the mid-1970's, the use of single-ply membranes for low-sloped roofing

systems has increased rapidly. These materials now account for more than 10 percent

of the roofing membranes applied in low-sloped roof construction. A recent survey

has projected that sheet membrane materials will account for 25 percent or more of

low-sloped roofing by 1985. Installation costs in 1985 for this amount of sheet

roofing will range from $1.8 to $3.6 billion, if the present installation costs of

$3 to $6 per square foot are assumed.

Currently over 100 sheet roofing membrane products are being marketed and the

number of products is increasing. The major types of membrane materials are synthetic

rubbers, plastics, and modified bitumens. Many of these materials are reinforced

with a glass or polyester fabric. Seam fabrication techniques vary depending upon

the type of material. A major problem has been the failure of seams, especially

those produced using an adhesive. In 1980, the National Roofing Contractors

Association indicated that the most common problem reported by its members was the

delamination of adhesively-bonded seams.

Standard test methods have not been developed for evaluating the performance of

adhesively-bonded seams in single-ply membranes. Two methods have been proposed for

evaluating the seams: lap-shear and peel tests. The applicability of either test

has not been adequately demonstrated, largely because little is known of the stress

conditions and the failure mechanisms of the seams. In addition, little information

is available on factors controlling the quality of field-fabricated seams. This

project will provide the technical basis needed to develop or select a test method

which reliably predicts the field performance of seams in single-ply membranes.

115
PROBABILISTIC STUDY OF SINGLE-PLY ROOFING MEMBRANES

James R. Clifton

(301) 921-3458

Building Materials Division

Sponsor : National Bureau of Standards

In developing and demonstrating the probabilistic method for predicting service

life of single-ply roofing membranes, membranes will be subjected over time to both

mechanical and thermal stresses. Time-to-failure distributions will be obtained

for each experimental condition (minimum of three temperature levels and three

mechanical stress levels). The degree of functional dependence of the time-tofailure distribution parameters on temperature and mechanical stresses will be

determined through time-temperature superposition and time-mechanical stress

equations. Other experimental variables which will be used include membrane

characteristics (seam, no seam), and characteristics of the thermal insulation

(gap and no gap between insulation boards, no insulation). Both creep and stress

relaxation experiments will be performed. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer)

will be used as the first test membrane material, representing the rubber-like

single-ply membrane family. Other membrane materials which may be used in future

studies are modified bitumens and thermoplastics, and other rubber-like materials.

116
PERFORMANCE OF RESIDENTIAL SIDING

Robert G. Mathey

(301) 921-2629

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Tri-Services Committee

The increasing use of residential siding materials, both in new construction

and maintenance, has led to the need for performance criteria to aid the selection

of materials. Of particular importance are criteria for durability performance.

The Department of Defense previously supported CBT research to develop interim

performance criteria for siding. During its first year, laboratory tests were

conducted on repainting the weathered-siding materials. Adhesion tests using the

field adhesion tester developed at CBT were carried out to determine the compatibility

of alkyd and latex coatings with the weathered substrates. Adhesion tests were

conducted two months after repainting the siding materials, and again after seven

months of outdoor weathering. Adhesion tests again will be conducted on the repainted

panels after 18 months' exposure. After this exposure of the repainted panels,

data will be analyzed, existing criteria evaluated, and new criteria will be prepared

for recoating siding materials.

117
STANDARDS FOR HIGH-SECURITY GLAZING MATERIALS

Lawrence I. Knab

(301) 921-3120

Building Material's Division

Sponsor: Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory

During this three-year project, the status and problems of glazing materials

used in high-security applications will be determined, realistic threat levels will

be established, and performance tests and criteria will be developed. Based on the

Information obtained in FY 82, combined mechanical and thermal attack was determined

as one of the likely threat scenarios. In FY 83, a performance test simulating

combined mechanical and thermal attack was developed. Also, methods were developed

to determine the impact characteristics (velocity, force, and energy) of human

males using hand held-hammers , and were used to calibrate mechanical Impact devices

used in combined mechanical-thermal tests. In FY 84, the performance and repeatability of selected high-security glazing materials, including laminated glass,

glass-clad polycarbonate, and laminated polycarbonate, will be evaluated using the

combined mechanical-thermal test . Preliminary performance criteria will be

established based on t:he test results. Performance tests for other threat types

including failure of the glazing as a unit and/or the window assembly are needed

but they cannot be accomplished within the scope of this project.

118
EVALUATION OF OPTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR MEASURING

ABSORBER MATERIALS DEGRADATION

David Waksman

(301) 921-3114

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

Presently, integrated solar absorptance (per ASTM E424) and emittance (per

ASTM E434) are the primary techniques used by the solar industry to measure changes

in the optical performance of absorptive coatings. These methods have been

incorporated into ASTM procedures which address the evaluation of absorptive solar

receiver materials

Studies conducted at CBT have shown that integrated solar absorptance measurements

are a poor indicator of absorber material degradation. Such changes typically occur

in the infrared region of the spectrum and are concealed by the integration process

conducted as part of ASTM E424. ASTM E434 measurements are a more sensitive indicator

of changes in the performance of selective absorber coatings; however, this technique

provides no information about the spectral distribution of changes in optical

performance of these materials.

Preliminary measurements made by CBT indicate that infrared spectral reflectance

measurements offer considerable promise as a technique for the early detection of

absorber materials degradation. Such techniques should be of considerable value to

industry in the use of short-term exposure tests as a means for evaluating absorber

materials

The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of optical property

measurements for the early detection of absorber materials degradation. The optical

properties of typical absorptive solar receiver materials will be characterized

using techniques such as diffuse and specular infrared reflection spectroscopy,

infrared emittance, and integrated solar absorptance. The sensitivity of these

techniques to changes induced by short-term aging tests will be determined. The

results of these studies will be published in an appropriate technical journal and

presented to organizations concerned with the development of measurement techniques

for absorber materials.

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ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION OF POLYMERIC COVER MATERIALS

FOR SOLAR COLLECTORS

David Waksman

(301) 921-3114

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

Virtually all of the durability testing that has been performed to date on

polymeric materials for solar energy applications has concentrated on their

degradation when exposed to elevated temperature and ultraviolet radiation. Little

emphasis has been placed on degradation caused by moisture or by the combined

effects of moisture, temperature, and solar radiation.

Under this project, moisture-related degradation that has occurred in cover

materials exposed in previous CBT programs will be characterized. Carefully

controlled exposure tests will be conducted for representative materials to determine

their degradation mechanisms and degradation rates and to establish a basis for

predicting the useful service lives of these materials. Research will be performed

to develop the data to a stochastic mathematical model for predicting the synergistic

degradation effects of moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and temperature. The

model will also be validated for one or more additional materials to demonstrate

its broad applicability.

Knowledge gained in this research will assist industry in formulating polymeric

materials for solar applications and the evaluation procedures developed, in

cooperation with organizations such as ASTM, will aid the selection and use of

polymeric materials. The development of validated mathematical models also will

significantly advance the current state-of-the-art in predicting the rates of

degradation of materials which will, in turn, aid in providing evaluation tools

for selecting and using such polymers.

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MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES FOR EVALUATING REFLECTOR

MATERIALS

David Waksman

(301) 921-3114

Building Materials Division

J Sponsor: Department of Energy

Reflector materials are used to increase the solar flux received by solar

collectors. These materials include mirrors and metallic and other reflective surfaces. Test methods that can be used to evaluate the performance and durability of

reflector materials under conditions of use are urgently needed to aid in the selec

tion and use of the materials. The objective of this project is to prepare a state

of-the-art report which will form the basis for interim measurement techniques and

will identify research needs.

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STANDARDS FOR PHASE-CHANGE STORAGE MATERIALS

Paul W. Brown

(301) 921-3A58

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

Phase-change materials provide energy storage capabilities in terms of latent

as well as sensible heat. These materials offer significant potential advantages

in the volume of storage required and the thermal losses from storage. Consequently,

the use of phase-change materials is increasing as the solar industry searches

for more effective storage media. Key problem areas relating to the use of phasechange storage materials involve encapsulation and durability. Examples include

rupture of encapsulating materials due to mechanical incompatibility with phasechange materials, thermal or chemical degradation of phase change and encapsulating

materials, crystallization and segregation of components of phase-change materials

as a result of repeated cycling, and chemical incompatibility between phase-change

and encapsulating materials. This project will address these problems through

research to develop performance standards and accelerated tests to allow assessment

of the long-term performance and durability of phase-change storage materials.

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HIGH-SPECIFIC-HEAT PASSIVE-STORAGE MEDIA

Paul W. Brown

(301) 921-3458

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Department of Energy

The objective of this investigation is to fabricate and evaluate the potential

of solid-state hydrates as high-heat-capacity sensible-heat storage media. Sensibleheat storage in passive applications may include a variety of storage modes. However,

direct gain by insolation of a suitably oriented building element such as a south

wall is most common. Various schemes incorporating the inclusion of phase-change

storage materials, such as CaCl2.6H20, into hollow block walls in order to enhance

storage capabilities have been relatively unsuccessful. This is the result of a

loss in storage capacity with thermal cycling coupled with the tendency of the containment systems to leak. However, the use of chemically inert solid-state hydrates

in this application may hold potential.

Substituted calcium aluminate hydrates of the general composition 3GA.0 .AI2O3 . CaX.nH20

will be synthesized and their heat capacities measured. Typical examples of these

hydrates include 3CA0.Al203caS04 .I2H2O , 3 CaO .AI2O3 . CaO03 . I2H2O , solid solutions of these

compounds, and the Fe203 analogs. Typical densities of these compounds are in the

range of 2g/cc. Typical specific heat values range from 0.3 to 0.7 cal/g. Thus

these hydrated solids have volumetric heat-capacity values approximately that of

water. The most promising compounds identified will be further evaluated to ensure

chemical stability and their thermal dif fusivities will be measured.

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TRI-SERVICES TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

Robert G. Mathey

(301) 921-2629

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: Tri-Services Committee

This project will provide technical and scientific support and consultative

services on building materials and systems as required by the Tri-Services. The

work will include laboratory tests and field investigations for solving building

problems. Recommendations will be made on the selection of materials and systems

and their application and performance. In the past, problem areas have covered

plumbing, masonry, roofing, corrosion, mechanical systems, insulation materials,

and underground piping

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AASHTO MATERIALS REFERENCE LABORATORY (ARML)

James H. Pielert

(301) 921-3481

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Under this project, with the support of AASHTO Research Associates working

under CBT supervision, measurement services are provided to both public and private

laboratories working on transportation studies. At present, attention is focused on

the testing of soils and bituminous materials and the measurement of frictional

properties of highways. Procedures used in performing conventional quality assurance

tests are observed for conformance with applicable national standards. Related test

apparatus is checked with inspection equipment traceable to CBT-calibrated devices.

Deficiences noted during inspections are brought to the attention of laboratory

managers. In addition, proficiency-test samples are distributed at regular intervals

to obtain information on laboratory performance. The primary goal of the AMRL is

improvement in the quality of testing in bituminous and soils laboratories. Specific

products include: a detailed report on each inspection performed; a comprehensive

report on each round of proficiency-sample testing; and input to the work of standards

committees, such as data which can be used for precision statements for use in

standards for testing soils and bituminous materials.

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CEMENT AND CONCRETE REFERENCE LABORATORY (CCRL)

James H. Pielert

(301) 921-3481

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: American Society for Testing and Materials, U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers

Over $4 billion of hydraulic cements are produced in the United States each

year. The value of the concrete construction in which these cements are used is

estimated to be on the order of $20 billion. Because of the large amounts of money

and critical construction materials involved, standardization of testing to enhance

the reliability of quality-assurance measurements is most important. The CCRL contributes to this standarization through on-site inspections of apparatus and procedure

used in the testing of cements and concretes, the distribution of proficiency test

samples, laboratory investigations of testing problems, and participation in the

activities of standards development groups. This work is performed by ASTM Research

Associates working under CBT supervision.

Services under the project include the on-site inspection of the laboratory and

the distribution of proficiency test samples. Procedures used in performing conventional quality assurance tests are observed for conformance with applicable national

standards. Related test apparatus is checked with inspection equipment calibrated

by NBS personnel. Proficiency test samples of portland cement, concrete, blended

cement, and masonry cement are distributed at regular intervals to obtain information

on laboratory performance. Participation in the work of ASTM technical committees

by CCRL staff is a mechanism used to provide the standards community with information

developed by the inspection and proficiency sample programs.

126
CEMENT HYDRATION

CBT's cement research focuses on fundamental and generic relationships in cement

hydration its purpose being to spur new technology into the market. CBT is developing

mathematical models for predicting the courses of reactions of cements in concrete.

127
CEMENT HYDRATION COMPETENCE PROJECT

Paul W. Brown

(301) 921-3458

Building Materials Division

Sponsor: National Bureau of Standards

The objective of this project is to improve understanding of the physics and

chemistry of cement hydration and the development of mlcrostructure in pastes of

Portland and related cements; also, to demonstrate the understanding through development and validation of mathematical models based on probable physical and chemical

mechanisms. This research will develop a fundamental understanding of reactions of

Portland and related silicate cements with water and develop mathematical models for

predicting the courses of the reactions under various conditions in the practical

range. The work began with studies of the hydration of various preparations of the

most important solid phase in portland cements, tricalcium silicate, and have since

been extended to other cement phases and mixtures of phases. The work consists of

simultaneous development of fundamental mathematical models based on alternative

conceptual models. The mathematical models are tested experimentally and revised as

needed. Tricalcium silcates and other cement phases used as starting materials are

obtained from the few available sources or when necessary manufactured in the laboratory. They are characterized in terms such as chemical composition, particle size

and shape distribution, specific surface area, crystallite size, crystal defects, and

grain boundary compositions. The materials are reacted with water and solutions of

ionic and non-ionic compounds to determine the effects of temperature, and water-solid

and water-surface area ratios on the mechanisms and kinetics of the Tactions. Techniques

used in studying the mechanisms and kinetics, starting from the moment of mixing, are

electrokinetic phenomena, heat evolution, volume change, electrical conductivity, x-ray

diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, surface area measurements by gas adsorption,

image analysis, and chemical analysis of the aqueous phase. The image analyses are based

on results obtained with the scanning electron microscope and the new STEM. This work is

carried out in consultation with scientists in CMS on aspects of material science and with | mathematicians in CAM on techniques of mathematical modeling. The studies of tricalcium I

silicate hydration were concentrated in the first two years of the project, and studies '

of tricalcium aluminate and mixtures of cement phases began in the third year.

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D-U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEi 1984-420-997/190

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

National Engineering Laboratory

Center for Building Technology