ASHRAE RP-1325 - Year Selection

[Mark Jimmy]

Hello,

I would like some clarification on the use of the ASHRAE Weather Files from the RP-1325.
There are 3 selections within WUFI. Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3. Does Year 1 - represent the "design" climate file as recommended by ASHRAE RP-1325?
Or does year 1 represent the most severe moisture year of 30 years worth of data?

I am trying to run an 'extreme case' with the hygrothermal climate file essentially never to be exceeded by real world conditions.
Please let me know if this is possible with the current weather files.

Cheers,
Mark Jimmy

[Manfred Kehrer]

Hi Mark,
You are right that ASHRAE 1325 year is supposed to be the worst year according to Mr. Salonvaaras study.

It is always hard to figure "real world conditions" as we don't know what the future will bring.

From a pragmatic point if view i recommend to run your simulations with with more climate years offered by WUFI and then see if there is a difference.

[Bonilauri]

Year 1: worst year for moisture damage over 30 years

Year 3: worst year for moisture damage over 10 years.

I seem to remember that Mr. Salonvaaras recommends to run the analyses for ASHRAE Year 3.

[Manfred Kehrer]

Year 1: most worst year
Year 3: third worst year

[Bonilauri]

Yes: if you want to consider the 30-years worst case scenario, you select ASHRAE Year 1.

Please see attached screenshot from ASHRAE RP 1325 (Mr. Salonvaaras' research). His recommendation for standard dynamic moisture assessment is to use Year 3.