Location: Kansas City, KS
Date: 2015
Consulting services were provided to a small design-build venture that was exploring the use of AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) blocks with insulated, cast-in-place concrete in the Kansas City area. Blocks made of AAC provide some nominal insulation factor due to their porous composition, but also absorb and transmit water readily. The primary tasks in this study were:
- To determine how these materials would react to moisture, including initial water content that was part of construction.
- Compare real time thermal performance for different locations of rigid insulation, when located either on the exterior and within the wall assembly.
The study used WUFI, a program that provides a dynamic analysis of building assemblies to show their interaction with climate-driven temperature and moisture. Six cases were analyzed with different variations of block, insulation, and structural concrete, studying the assemblies on different facade orientations and with finishes of varying material and permeability. The study’s conclusion summarized the performance of each case and recommended the most appropriate and cost-effective use of AAC for the client’s projects.
Helia LLC 