Open AccessExperimental analysis of moisture uptake and dry-out in CLT end-grain exposed to free water
Author(s) -
Kristo Kalbe,
Alvar Annuk,
Aime Ruus,
Targo Kalamees
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2069/1/012050
Subject(s) - moisture , water content , saturation (graph theory) , absorption of water , environmental science , materials science , composite material , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , geology , combinatorics
This paper presents the results of a series of laboratory tests of CLT end-grain moisture uptake and dry-out. We put CLT test details (TDs) in direct water contact from the end-grain edge and then left the TDs to dry for two weeks in the laboratory and in an outside shelter. Half of the TDs had their wet sides attached to another CLT detail. Fibre saturation point was quickly reached in the bottom part of the TDs during the seven-day water contact. A tendency of increasing moisture content (MC) was up to 90 mm from the wet edges, but we did not record MC levels above the critical level at that height. However, MC exceeded critical levels at 60 mm from the water level. The measured water absorption coefficient A w was 3.51×10 −3 kg/m 2 -s 0 ’ 5 . Drying was negligible for the TDs which were in contact with another CLT detail. Thus, moisture dry-out is very complicated in joints where the CLT end-grain is covered, such as the exterior wall to foundation or intermediate ceiling connection. The dry-out of CLT is not expected in a cold and humid outdoor environment once the CLT end-grain has absorbed moisture even with wet edges exposed to air.