MBE Editorial
Expansion Joint Cover Assemblies at Exterior Wall Planes: Where the Movement Capacity Assumption Fails and Why the Substrate Transition Detail Is the Primary Source of Water Intrusion
Expansion joint cover failures stem from undersized movement capacity and discontinuous substrate transitions—not cladding…
EIFS vs. Adhered Masonry Veneer on Steel-Stud Walls: Comparing Long-Term Moisture Risk in North American Climate Zones
A technical comparison of drainage-type EIFS and adhered masonry veneer on steel-stud walls, examining…
Fiber Cement Panel Rainscreen Systems in Commercial Facades: Fastener Pull-Through Limits, Joint Sealant Compatibility, and Where the Moisture Cycling Assumption Creates Long-Term Attachment Failure
Fiber cement rainscreen failures stem from fastener pull-through miscalculations, sealant joint undersizing, and moisture…
Concealed Barrier-Type Expansion Joints in Exterior Masonry Veneer: Where the Backer Rod and Sealant Assumption Fails and Why the Movement Accommodation Gap Is the Primary Source of Recurring Crack Patterns
Recurring stair-step cracks at brick veneer expansion joints trace to undersized joint widths, not…
The Role of AI in Building Envelope Practice: Where Predictive Modeling Reduces Failure and Litigation Risk and Where It Creates False Confidence
AI tools promise to reduce building envelope failures, but misapplied inputs and unvalidated models…
Copper and Zinc Composite Cladding Panels: Galvanic Compatibility Requirements, Substrate Restrictions, and Where the Aesthetic-First Specification Creates Structural Risk
Copper and zinc composite panels share ACM's form but not its installation rules—misapplied details…
Glazing Pocket Drainage in Thermally Broken Aluminum Storefront Systems: Where the Weep Hole Geometry Fails and Why Trapped Water at the Sill Is the Primary Cause of Frame Corrosion
Weep hole geometry failures in thermally broken aluminum storefront sills allow trapped water to…
Hybrid Unitized-Stick Curtainwall Systems at Building Corners and Re-Entrant Angles: Where the Transition Detail Fails and Why the Structural Mullion Continuity Gap Is the Performance Risk Nobody Budgets For
Hybrid curtainwall systems fail at corners and re-entrant angles due to structural mullion continuity…
Thermally Broken Aluminum Window-to-Curtainwall Receptor Interfaces: Where the Perimeter Seal Detail Fails and Why the Thermal Bridge at the Receptor Leg Is the Performance Gap Nobody Tests
A forensic investigation exposes how aluminum receptor legs at window-to-curtainwall interfaces create unmodeled thermal…
Silicone Foam Firestopping at Exterior Curtainwall Perimeter Joints: Where the Compression Fit Assumption Fails and Why the Safing Insulation Thickness Gap Is the Code Compliance Risk Nobody Inspects
Silicone foam firestopping at curtainwall perimeter joints fails code compliance when safing insulation compression…
Spray Polyurethane Foam at Exterior Wall Transitions: Air Sealing Performance Claims, Fire Code Restrictions, and Where the Field-Applied Assumption Creates Code Compliance Risk
SPF at exterior wall transitions creates fire code and air barrier risks when field-applied…
Glazed Curtainwall-to-Opaque Wall Transitions: Air Barrier Continuity Failures, Thermal Bridging at the Slab Edge, and Why the Interface Detail Is the Most Litigated Zone in the Facade
Air barrier failures at curtainwall-to-opaque wall transitions stem from unassigned contract scope, not field…
