Measured pressure-equalized performance of two precast concrete panels - performance of pressure-equalized rainscreen walls. A collaborative research and development project.

Describes the results of the experimental evaluaton of two precast concrete sandwich panels. States that for best results for precast concrete walls, the air barrier must be sufficiently airtight to achieve static pressure equalization and there must be sufficient venting to achieve dynamic pressure-equalization. Similar results were obtained from research conducted on other wall systems. For precast concrete walls, these results are best obtained by minimizing the cavity volume and decreasing air barrier leakage before increasing vent area. Water penetration through vent holes should not pose a problem, provided proper use is made of drips, baffles and upward-sloping flashing to control the movement of water.