WHAT: Moisture Mechanics & Management in Residential Construction Workshop (see syllabus below)
WHO: Robert Riversong (see bio below)
WHEN: Sunday, May 10, 1–5 p.m.
WHERE: Offices of BuildingGreen, 122 Birge Street, Suite 30, Brattleboro, VT
HOW MUCH: Suggested $10 donation to cover instructor's travel; no one turned away


Please email "Tristan Roberts" [log in to unmask] to sign up.




Moisture Mechanics & Management in Residential Construction
 
No modern building can function properly if the design program and construction detailing fails to account for the thermal and moisture dynamics of the building envelope and its relation to the internal and external environment.
 
We will explore the often misunderstood issues around indoor and outdoor moisture, moisture migration through the building envelope, moisture storage (or buffering) capacity of materials, effects of relative humidity both inside the building and within the thermal envelope, and moisture control methods that minimize mold, rot, corrosion and warpage while optimizing durability of the structure and human health & comfort.


The following topics will be covered:


Moisture Basics

absolute humidity 
relative humidity 
vapor pressure 
dew point 
sorption/desorption 
diffusivity 
moisture storage 
moisture content 
mold, rot, corrosion
Moisture Sources 

environmental 
structural 
anthropogenic 
other
Moisture Infusion Mechanisms

momentum 
gravity 
surface tension 
capillary action 
ab/adsorption 
pressure differential 
vapor differential 
temperature differential 
gravity movement 
water vapor diffusion 
convective transport 
condensation & freezing
Moisture Elimination Mechanisms

gravity drainage 
desorption 
diffusion 
evaporation
Moisture Control Techniques

exposure reduction 
deflection 
shedding 
water resistance 
moisture tolerance 
drying potential 
air sealing 
diffusion retarders 
thermal control 
pressure control 
humidity control 
ventilation (dilution)
Rain Control Techniques

sealed face 
redundant barrier 
drainscreen 
rainscreen
Moisture Control Strategies

hermetic house 
breathable envelope 
 
Presenter Bio: From geodesic domes in the 1970s and a community land trust homestead program in rural Maine in 1981, Robert Riversong has worked as a project manager, trainer, and consultant for non-profit building projects from inner-city Boston to the hollows of Tennessee.  He has focused on passive solar super-insulated buildings, with one of his design/build projects receiving a Citation for Excellence in a NESEA national energy/resource-efficient design competition. Robert got his early training from engineer Charlie Wing at Cornerstones Energy-Efficient Building School in Brunswick ME and is a self-educated engineer.