Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to design and develop a model for testing watertightness of rainscreen walls. Design/methodology/approach: A test model was developed to determine the time to achieve equalisation and tightness rate of the rainscreen under investigation. Other tests include the distribution of wind loads to each rain screen layer, with the amount of water infiltrating into the cavity and the tightness rates. Findings: It is found that the cavity must be compartmentalized, separating zones with different pressures. Vertically, corners and lateral stripes, 2 or 3m wide, must necessarily be compartmentalized. Horizontally, it is very convenient to compartmentalize the cavities of each floor, or at least every two floors (maximum 6m). When a cavity is not compartmentalized and tight, there will be air currents moving inside the cavity, and therefore the amount of infiltrated water through vents and joints will increase. Originality/value: The paper demonstrates its value by developing a model to investigate the watertightness of rainscreen walls. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
