Abstract
The building envelope design of a computer center facility requires a specialized knowledge because of the specific requirements for pressurization and humidification of the indoor space. A computer center facility, coded in this report as a CC facility, was located in a cold climate. It experienced a cladding failure related to inappropriate design of the building envelope.
The indoor air coming in contact with the cladding material produced condensed moisture on the back side of the granite panels. The condensed moisture ran down and accumulated in the "trough" as well as in "gutters" installed to collect condensate. With insufficient drainage, the condensed water overflowed to the interior and caused significant damage to interior surfaces. Furthermore, repeated freeze/thaw cycles cre ated expansion forces which created outward displacement of the granite panels and a hazard of the failure of the granite cladding. The author conducted an investigation which identified specific problem areas, recommended remedial measures concerning problems relating to condensation, corrosion, mold, and other moisture problems at the CC facility.
This paper is written in two parts, one reporting the field study and the other dis cussing the failure mechanisms in context of a broader overview of building science principles.
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