Study on Roof Vents Subjected to Simulated Hurricane Effects

Abstract

Most residential buildings use a natural ventilation process by which overheated air inside buildings is vented out and fresh air is pulled in to replace it. Proper ventilation helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside buildings, maintain indoor air quality, increase energy efficiency, and prevent moisture damage. Vents are necessary to prevent heat and moisture buildup and contribute to the longevity of building components. However, the vents are subjected to wind loading and can be the path for water infiltration during hurricane events. Limited research has been performed on water intrusion through various types of vents in residential buildings to relate such water intrusion to the vent mechanism and the differential pressures that the vents are subjected to during hurricanes. The objectives of this research were to perform full-scale holistic testing of vents subjected to simulated hurricane-level wind and wind-driven rain to evaluate such relations and vent performance under hurricane conditions. Two building models incorporating a variety of vents were tested using the wall-of-wind facility. It was found that the extent to which water intrusion increased with higher positive differential pressure across the vent for various angles of attack can be affected significantly by the vent mechanism.