Search

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art information concerning pressure equalization of rainscreen walls with a view to disseminate the existing knowledge for architects and building engineers. During this review, emphasis is given to (1) the recent (post 1980) experimental and theoretical investigations concerning pressure equalization of rainscreen walls and (2) the design guidelines and codification for Pressure Equalized Rainscreen (PER) walls. Based on the knowledge gathered from previous studies, the needs and new directions for further research have been identified and reported.

Clay particles found in many building stones, when in contact with water, suffer aggregation-disaggregation and swelling-shrinking processes which can cause severe pathology. Whilst research has focused on historic buildings and masonry walls, studies regarding rainscreen walls are lacking. When using panels of reduced thickness fixed with punctual anchorage points, fissures or scaling phenomena can rapidly lead to rupture of panels, causing stability failure. This study aims to identify the causes of decay in a building with limestone rainscreen walls, in order to help to understand clay-related damage in this type of façade and its differences with regard to masonry walls. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.