Resiliency of Basement Envelope Assemblies to Flood Events

In response to recurring flooding events in recent years and the costs associated with disaster management, there is a pressing need for societies to adapt their construction methods. This research project is a comprehensive effort to address these challenges, not only by examining how different envelope assemblies respond to flood events and proposing assemblies that are more resilient to water damage, but also by considering pre-flood mitigation strategies and post-flood intervention measures, especially to ensure rapid drying that prevents the establishment of mold colonies. The study assesses typical existing assemblies in Canada and proposes improved alternatives through experimental investigations and simulations. Experiments include verification of deformation under imbibition, neutron imaging to quantify interstitial water, hydrostatic pressure effects on wood imbibition, and drying tests under various conditions.