Uncertainty analysis for multilayer water vapor transmission test method: As exemplified by testing highly permeable membranes

Abstract

This is a follow-up to the article “Multilayer Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Testing of Construction Materials” in which the authors discussed the development of an alternative approach to the standardized ASTM E96:2010 test method when testing highly permeable materials. The approach denoted as a “multilayer” water vapor transmission test method involves testing simultaneously several stacked material layers each separated by an equivalent air gaps. Determining uncertainties for a novel test method is critical to establish the accuracy of the single test and the estimate for the mean value of the measured property. This is of particular importance for a multilayer experimental system that includes several test specimens and multitude of temperature and relative humidity sensors. The measurements obtained from the experiment include continuous weight readings for the whole system and continuous temperature and relative humidity readings obtained near the opposing specimen surfaces. The authors identify all contributing sources of uncertainty and describe the general approach to uncertainty analysis in the multilayer water vapor transmission test method.