BU531 Designing for thermal and moisture movement (2011)

A building is a complex structure of active parts, so materials, fixing and jointing techniques, waterproofing methods and tolerances must all take account of the movement that will occur. This bulletin looks at the cyclical or reversible movement that occurs in building materials as the environmental conditions they are subjected to change.

This bulletin replaces Bulletin 418 Providing for thermal and moisture movement.

The bulletin covers:

• reversible movement including thermal movement, moisture movement and factors influencing reversible movement
• design strategies, including accommodating movement and containing movement, with worked examples provided.