Adapting the use of software originally designed for the simulation of moisture in buildings, this methodology combines lab tests of materials, computer simulation of construction details and full-scale tests of construction details in a flood tank to produce validated data on the performance of new materials being developed for the protection of buildings from the damaging effects of flooding. This work has been developed over a 2 year period in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University . This is done by comparing the performance of standard materials and construction details with new materials or innovative construction detailing without assuming the restrictive costs associated with lab tests.