Testing | Checking | Measuring

Building physics testing

Fraunhofer IBP is focused on research, development and testing in all fields of building physics. Based on the competence of more than 350 scientists, engineers and technicians numerous outstanding testing resources and measuring instruments are available. Knowledge, experience and creativity can be offered as the keys to innovative products and sustainable quality of buildings. 

We carry out complex building physics studies at our efficient and  well-equipped laboratories and test centers and at our outdoor testing site in Holzkirchen, which to the best of our knowledge is the largest facility of its kind. Modern laboratory measuring techniques and computational methods help researchers develop and optimize building products for practical applications. We also carry out experiments in environmental test chambers, simulation facilities and existing buildings to assess components and overall systems for new buildings and renovation projects based on the principles of building physics.

Fraunhofer IBP has been approved by the German building inspection authorities as a testing, monitoring and certification center for building materials and buildng techniques in Germany and the rest of Europe. Five of the institute's test laboratories have been granted flexible accreditation by the German accreditation body Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. This entitles them to develop new test methods and to modify existing methods.

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  • © Fraunhofer IBP

    The contribution of weakly bounded protons in a material can be determined with this method. Therefore the moisture distribution at a certain time in materials or a combination of materials can be determined. Also the changes of the profiles, e.g., during a water uptake experiment or during a drying experiment, can be determined. The procedure can be used to determine the penetration depth of hydrophobic agents, impregnations or stone strengthening agents.

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  • Water absorption

    Hygrothermics

    The water absorption coefficient is used to evaluate the capillary water uptake of building materials and an important data to estimate moisture protection of constructions. With the knowledge of the water absorption coefficient the calculation of the capillary transport coefficients for the water uptake is possible. These coefficients are used in simulations with WUFI®.

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  • Porosity, true density

    Hygrothermics

    The true density of a material is defined as the mass of the dry material related to the volume of the solid matrix, which means minus the free accessible pore volume. The pore volume of the material sample is measured the heliumpycnometer. The porosity of a material can be calculated by knowing the bulk and true density.

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  • Messung im Plattenapparat
    © Fraunhofer IBP

    Messung von Wärmeleitfähigkeit, Wärmedurchlasswiderstand und Wärmedurchgangskoeffizient im Plattengerät.

    Investigation of thermal conductivity λ, thermal resistance R, and thermal transmittance U by the guarded hot plate apparatus.

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  • Steuerung Raumklimaparameter in Versuchseinrichtung
    © Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft / Axel Griesch

    Steuerung der Raumklimaparameter in der Versuchseinrichtung VERU.

    Transferring characteristic data obtained from laboratory samples to the entire façade reaches its limits where complex, inhomogeneous structures are concerned. To evaluate the physical characteristics of such façades, in addition to laboratory tests, measurements can be carried out at the VERU Modular Test Facility for Energy and Indoor Environment Investigations on the Fraunhofer IBP field test site in Holzkirchen.

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  • Assessment of microbial growth on surfaces

    Environment, Hygiene and Sensor Technology

    Test areas Test areas with different coating materials
    © Fraunhofer IBP

    Test areas with different coating materials on a test building.

    Outdoor exposure for the investigation of microbial growth on building component surfaces.

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  • Thermomechanical analysis

    Environment, Hygiene and Sensor Technology

    push rod dilatometer with sample
    © Fraunhofer IBP

    Specimen in a push rod dilatometer.

    Dilatometry is a method of thermal analysis, particularly a method of thermomechanical analysis. It is used to measure the relative dimensional changes of materials and construction materials.

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  • Sniffing port on the gas chromatograph
    © Fraunhofer IBP

    Sniffing port on the gas chromatograph for the identification of odor-active substances using GC-MS/OLF.

    Material odors and unexpected odor impressions in indoor environments can cause irritation and raise health concerns among users. Manufacturers of construction products and materials for vehicle interiors therefore strive to optimize the odor of their products to prevent user discomfort.

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  • VOC Concentration in Indoor Environments

    Environment, Hygiene and Sensor Technology

    Luftprobenahme in einem Besprechungsraum
    © Fraunhofer IBP

    Luftprobenahme auf flüchtige organische Verbindungen in einem Besprechungsraum.

    Indoor air samples are collected on suitable adsorbers and adapted to each specific issue, and then analyzed in the laboratory. The identified substances and their concentrations in the indoor air are compared against reference or recommended values. If irregularities are detected, material samples can be taken and analyzed to identify the sources of indoor air pollution.

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  • The water vapor transmission of building materials is one of the most important characteristics to estimate moisture behavior of constructions. In particular prevention of condensation and the drying of constructions are controlled by the water vapor transmission properties.

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