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2002 Research Priorities

South Central Alaska
Following are Research Priorities identified by the South Central RAC for study in 2002:

  • Ventilation Strategies: Simple, prescriptive way to insure indoor air quality with an emphasis on cost and efficiency.
  • Garage/House Interface: An examination of the air quality problems generated from attached and tuck under garages to living spaces and development of strategies to address associated problems.
  • Survey of ACHP homes: Follow-up on the actual performance of ACHP homes built in the last two decades. The purpose of this work would be to give us an understanding the durability of these structures and their long-term livability, energy use, indoor air quality and the general health of the occupants.


South East Alaska
Following are Research Priorities identified by the Southeast RAC for study in 2002:

  • Foundation and groundwater strategies. A number of approaches were discussed for study and examination. These included, techniques to isolate foundations, slabs on grade and crawlspaces from ground and surface water. Investigation of a faro cement, boat like isolation on foundations was suggested as a possibility as well as more conventional barrier systems. Helical piers and their use in a variety of soil types with broad levels of moisture and frost content should be examined.
  • Ventilation systems and IAQ are a universal concern in this area as well. Affordability and practical approaches specific to the temperatures and humidity of South East should be studied. Included in this discussion was the concern that control systems for mechanical ventilation do not respond to the interior and exterior relative humidity and their relation to temperature. This has also been identified as a problem in colder, dryer areas of the state. Relative humidity inside the homes statewide does not seem to be controlled with any type of consistency using typical control systems.
  • SIPS failures are extremely common in systems from all manufacturers, particularly in roofs. This is at a crisis level and CCHRC should be a lead on identifying the cause and looking for solutions to this very substantial problem.
  • The behavior of wall and ceiling envelopes needs to be studied. Thermal efficiency, durability of materials and finishes, moisture resistance from both exterior and interior sources, and the drying potential of systems needs to be examined. Tlingit/ Hieda Native Corporation is open to working with CCHRC to try some new approaches to housing construction and ventilation of homes in the Juneau area. They could be a very valuable resource in a partnership to try new approaches to creating durable, affordable, energy efficient and healthy homes for South East Alaska. They have been very supportive of the Build America in Alaska Program.


Interior Alaska
Following are Research Priorities identified by the Interior RAC for study in 2002:

  • Cost comparisons and cost benefit analysis on construction techniques and building system approaches. This should include follow up on actual cost and performance of Build America homes, ACHP homes, 5 star homes and an examination of potential cost savings by incorporating local and indigenous building materials where possible.
  • An examination of overall cost and performance of SIP, EIFS, log, frame, ICF and other wall systems in Interior Alaska. This could include both wall module testing in a controlled facility environment and as built on site testing.
  • Frost protected shallow foundations approaches and performance.
  • Carbon-monoxide and other possible problems with attached and tuck under garages.
  • Development and testing of low cost house ventilation systems.

CCHRC will attempt to address the items outlined by the Research Advisory Committees statewide. The issues of concern identified by these committees will be a priority when directing the development of research projects by the Cold Climate Housing Research Center.