University of Oregon-Portland
White Stag Building
70 NW Couch, Room 142/144
Uncontrolled moisture accumulation in building envelopes leads to mold infestation and structural degradation in buildings. A 2004 survey conducted by the City of Seattle documented 52 recent moisture-related building failures, costing $98 million (Aoki-Kramer, Karagiozis). This same study speculates that as much as 20% of the multi-family housing stock built in Seattle since 1984 could be affected. The Natural Exposure Test (NET) facility, located in Puyallup WA has been collecting real-time hygrothermal performance data for nearly five years on both traditional and innovative full-size wall systems. Dr. Tichy will be presenting research results from the NET facility.
Dr. Tichy joined the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory at Washington State University in 1992. His primary research areas involve development of wood-based composites and building construction systems. Prior to joining WSU, Dr. Tichy was the Manager of Engineering R&D for the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA), Portland Oregon and Senior Engineer of Engineered Systems and Products for Weyerhaeuser Company, Federal Way Washington. For WWPA, Dr. Tichy provided consulting and technical direction for the engineering use of wood products. While with Weyerhaeuser Company, Tichy managed product and market development efforts resulting in several new engineered strand products businesses.