The RCI-IIBEC Foundation approved funding for a study, titled “Laboratory Testing of Roof Assemblies for Comparison with Simulated Models: Thermal Performance Assessment of Thermal Bridges due to Roof Fasteners” at Virginia Tech. The team, consisting of Dr. Elizabeth Grant and Dr. Georg Reichard, along with their students, as well as industry sponsors Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) and GAF, will conduct selected laboratory tests to compare the thermal performance of physical models of simple roof assemblies under different controlled laboratory environmental conditions with computational models of these assemblies.
The overall goal of the project is to provide a better understanding to the industry of simulated versus tested thermal conductance in 3-D configurations, in support of relative comparison of quantitative thermal effects of fasteners in different roof assemblies.
The expectation is that the study will contribute to a better overall understanding of thermal performance of roof systems, enable both our members and the industry to understand the thermal penalty incurred by the use of roof fasteners in their designs, and ultimately provide validated simulations of approaches geared toward justification of any performance impact.
The expected completion date is December, 2021. Following conclusion of the study, the research team hopes to share results through presentations at IIBEC conferences and meetings, as well as through scientific papers.
Funding for this research is made possible through gifts to the Foundation’s General Fund for Research and Education and, specifically, through GAF as well as through in-kind donations from SGH. “GAF and SGH are both very excited to support this research and the information it will provide for the entire building industry,” said Helene Hardy-Pierce, Secretary of the Foundation and GAF’s Technical Director.
“After running computer models for an SGH-sponsored paper published by ASTM in 2015, it became apparent that roofing insulation fasteners will cause significant thermal bridging,” said Eric Olson of SGH, the lead author of a 2015 paper considering thermal bridging of roofing details. “These effects are not considered by many in the roofing industry, and there exists no clear guidance on how to deal with them. Validation of the computer models with physical laboratory analysis—the aim of the current study—is the next logical step to building practical methods for considering their effects.”
How Would You Like to Help?
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation has implemented a focused effort on various initiatives within our organization. We want to give you, our wonderful donors, the opportunity to choose to earmark your pledges and donations in the areas that matter most to you!
As such, we are garnering focus on four separate initiatives, each encompassing a different area supporting our industry. Please take a moment to make yourself familiar with what the Foundation is doing!
Ten students and two professors from the University of Kentucky School of Architecture attended the IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in Louisville, KY. The RCI-IIBEC Foundation helped cover their registration and hotel expenses during the event. Here is some of the feedback received from the particpants:
“It is a real privilege to expose these students to IIBEC and to the engineers, architects, and other professionals who are involved. I especially want to thank the Foundation for making it possible for the students to receive scholarships to attend the Symposium. It was hugely beneficial for them and very exciting for me.” – Professor Dan Vivian, College of Design
“The entire IIBEC community was extremely welcoming and cordial toward our group, and it made a great impression on us. It was illuminating to see the various issues surrounding building enclosures, and I enjoyed the range of topics presented. Overall, the symposium was an invaluable exposure for my classmates and me, and we hope, as future architects, to build on this knowledge in order to address and alleviate potential problems with building enclosures.” – Alex Bosse, graduate student
“This event was absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait to share my experience with my peers.” – Mary Kate Schaefer, graduate student
“I really enjoyed learning that there was more to architecture than just designing buildings. It opened my eyes to the new field of forensics in architecture. I feel like there was a good mix of speakers and lots of information to soak up.” – Dylan Brewer, senior
“I felt this event was exceptionally beneficial for future architects to experience how their roles and experiences can integrate with others’ professional backgrounds that benefit every element of the design process. This was also a great opportunity for students to engage in practicing networking and building professional relationships within the community, and I hope the visiting professionals and their organizations felt the same way as well. I will definitely recommend this symposium to students interested in architecture, civil engineering, design and construction fields who are interested in educating themselves and in building a better sense on new design and materials available within the market,” – Alan Hammell, freshman
If you have questions or would like more information about sponsoring students to attend future symposiums or the upcoming IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show in Houston, please contact Foundation Development Officer Rick Gardner at rgardner@iibec.org or call 919-859-0742.

IIBEC First Vice President Scott Hinesley, Professor Bruce Swetnam, Alex Bosse, Joe Holliday, Omolade Akinyemiju, Professor Dan Vivian, RCI Foundations Development Officer Rick Gardner, Frank Wang, Montreale Jones, Bryson Watson, Alan Hammell, Dylan Brewer, and IIBEC President Bob Card. (Not pictured: Mary Kate Schaefer and Afif Alahmad.)