A Unified Moisture Sorption–Desorption Isotherm for Engineered Wood
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 11
Abstract
This paper proposes a unified sorption–desorption isotherm for the full range relative humidity (0%–100%) based on categorizing the behavior of different pore size groups for engineered wood products. The sorption and desorption isotherms are established by accumulating the wetting and drying behavior of different pore groups, which qualitatively represent the physical structure of wood material. The porosity of wood is categorized into three distinctive pore size classes, shown to be adequate for capturing the moisture capacity of different wood species with reasonable accuracy, and the saturation behavior is studied separately for each pore type. Based on physical concepts, desorption isotherms are probabilistically derived from sorption behavior. The proposed sorption-desorption isotherm is calibrated with experimental data conducted on seven engineered wood products, including Pacific Teak, Tasmanian Oak, Blackbutt, Radiata Pine, Slash Pine, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) of Radiata pine, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) of Spruce. The relative humidity range for the active participation of each pore type in the moisture content is discussed, and further conditions for the simplification of the proposed isotherm are demonstrated.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
The experimental data utilized in this manuscript is available from the corresponding author upon request.
References
Almeida, G., and R. E. Hernández. 2006. “Changes in physical properties of tropical and temperate hardwoods below and above the fiber saturation point.” Wood Sci. Technol. 40 (7): 599–613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-006-0083-8.
Almeida, G., and R. E. Hernández. 2007. “Influence of the pore structure of wood on moisture desorption at high relative humidities.” Wood Mater. Sci. Eng. 2 (1): 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480270701538383.
ASTM. 2012. Standard practice for maintaining constant RH by means of aqueous solutions. ASTM E104. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Avramidis, S. 1989. “Evaluation of ‘three-variable’ models for the prediction of equilibrium moisture content in wood.” Wood Sci. Technol. 23 (3): 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367738.
Blanchette, R. A. 2000. “A review of microbial deterioration found in archaeological wood from different environments.” Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 46 (3): 189–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-8305(00)00077-9.
Boland, D. J., M. I. H. Brooker, G. M. Chippendale, N. Hall, B. P. M. Hyland, R. D. Johnston, D. A. Kleinig, M. W. McDonald, and J. D. Turner. 2006. Forest trees of Australia. Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO Publishing.
Bradley, R. S. 1936. “400. Polymoleculur adsorbed films. Part II. The general theory of the condensation of vapours on finely divided solids.” J. Chem. Soc. 1799–1804. https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9360001799.
Bratasz, Ł., A. Kozłowska, and R. Kozłowski. 2012. “Analysis of water adsorption by wood using the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer equation.” Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 70 (4): 445–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-011-0571-x.
Brunauer, S., P. H. Emmett, and E. Teller. 1938. “Adsorption of gases in multimolecular layers.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 60 (2): 309–319. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01269a023.
Chen, S. G., and R. T. Yang. 1994. “Theoretical basis for the potential theory adsorption isotherms: The Dubinin-Radushkevich and Dubinin-Astakhov equations.” Langmuir 10 (11): 4244–4249. https://doi.org/10.1021/la00023a054.
Chiniforush, A. A. 2018. “Serviceability of steel-timber composite (STC) floors.” Ph.D. thesis, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Univ. of New South Wales.
Chiniforush, A. A., A. Akbarnezhad, and S. Malek. 2020. “Time-dependent deflection measurement for steel-timber composite (STC) flooring system.” In Proc., Int. Conf. on Advances in Experimental Structural Engineering, 1–11. Christchurch, New Zealand: Univ. of Canterbury.
Chiniforush, A. A., A. Akbarnezhad, P. Thakore, and A. Ataei. 2018a. “Long-term tensile behaviour of engineered wood in parallel to grain direction.” In Proc., World Conf. on Timber Engineering. Seoul: National Institute of Forest Science.
Chiniforush, A. A., A. Akbarnezhad, H. Valipour, and S. Malekmohammadi. 2019a. “Moisture and temperature induced swelling/shrinkage of softwood and hardwood glulam and LVL: An experimental study.” Constr. Build. Mater. 207 (May): 70–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.114.
Chiniforush, A. A., A. Akbarnezhad, H. R. Valipour, and M. Bradford. 2018b. “Long-term behavior of steel-CLT connections.” In Proc., World Conf. on Timber Engineering. Seoul: National Institute of Forest Science.
Chiniforush, A. A., H. Valipour, and A. Akbarnezhad. 2019b. “Water vapor diffusivity of engineered wood: Effect of temperature and moisture content.” Constr. Build. Mater. 224 (Nov): 1040–1055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.08.013.
Chiniforush, A. A., H. R. Valipour, and A. Akbarnezhad. 2021. “Long-term coupled analysis of steel-timber composite (STC) beams.” Constr. Build. Mater. 278 (Apr): 122348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122348.
Chiniforush, A. A., H. R. Valipour, M. A. Bradford, and A. Akbarnezhad. 2019c. “Long-term behaviour of steel-timber composite (STC) shear connections.” Eng. Struct. 196 (Oct): 109356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109356.
Colinart, T., and P. Glouannec. 2017. “Temperature dependence of sorption isotherm of hygroscopic building materials. Part 1: Experimental evidence and modeling.” Energy Build. 139 (Mar): 360–370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.12.082.
De Burgh, J. M., S. J. Foster, and H. R. Valipour. 2016. “Prediction of water vapour sorption isotherms and microstructure of hardened Portland cement pastes.” Cem. Concr. Res. 81 (Mar): 134–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.11.009.
Dent, R. W. 1977. “A multilayer theory for gas sorption.” Text. Res. J. 47 (3): 188–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/004051757704700307.
Dubinin, M. M., and V. A. Astakhov. 1971. “Description of adsorption equilibria of vapors on zeolites over wide ranges of temperature and pressure.” Adv. Chem. 102 (69): 65–69.
Engelund, E. T., L. G. Thygesen, and P. Hoffmeyer. 2010. “Water sorption in wood and modified wood at high values of relative humidity. Part 2: Appendix. Theoretical assessment of the amount of capillary water in wood microvoids.” Holzforschung 64 (3): 325. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf.2010.061.
Hailwood, A. J., and S. Horrobin. 1946. “Absorption of water by polymers: Analysis in terms of a simple model.” Trans. Faraday Soc. 42 (84): B084.
Hasburgh, L. E., S. T. Craft, I. Van Zeeland, and S. L. Zelinka. 2019. “Relative humidity versus moisture content relationship for several commercial wood species and its potential effect on flame spread.” Fire Mater. 43 (4): 365–372. https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2707.
He, X., A. K. Lau, S. Sokhansanj, C. J. Lim, X. T. Bi, S. Melin, and T. Keddy. 2013. “Moisture sorption isotherms and drying characteristics of aspen (Populus tremuloides).” Biomass Bioenergy 57 (Oct): 161–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.07.007.
Hering, S., D. Keunecke, and P. Niemz. 2012. “Moisture-dependent orthotropic elasticity of beech wood.” Wood Sci. Technol. 46 (5): 927–938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-011-0449-4.
Hill, C. A. S., J. Ramsay, B. Keating, K. Laine, L. Rautkari, M. Hughes, and B. Constant. 2012. “The water vapour sorption properties of thermally modified and densified wood.” J. Mater. Sci. 47 (7): 3191–3197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-6154-8.
Hoffmeyer, P., E. T. Engelund, and L. G. Thygesen. 2011. “Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in Norway spruce during the first and second desorptions.” Holzforschung 65 (6): 875–882. https://doi.org/10.1515/HF.2011.112.
ISO. 2017. Physical and mechanical properties of wood: Test methods for small clear wood specimens. ISO 13061-16. Geneva: ISO.
Keunecke, D., S. Hering, and P. Niemz. 2008. “Three-dimensional elastic behaviour of common yew and Norway spruce.” Wood Sci. Technol. 42 (8): 633–647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-008-0192-7.
King, G., J. W. S. Hearle, and R. H. Peters. 1960. “Theories of multi-layer adsorption.” In Moisture in textiles. New York: Textile Book Publications Institute.
Kollman, F. F. P., and W. A. Côté. 1984. Principles of wood science and technology, vol. I: Solid wood. Berlin: Springer.
Krupińska, B., I. Strømmen, Z. Pakowski, and T. M. Eikevik. 2007. “Modeling of sorption isotherms of various kinds of wood at different temperature conditions.” Drying Technol. 25 (9): 1463–1470. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373930701537062.
Lund Frandsen, H., S. Svensson, and L. Damkilde. 2007. “A hysteresis model suitable for numerical simulation of moisture content in wood.” Holzforschung 61 (2): 175–181. https://doi.org/10.1515/HF.2007.031.
Malmquist, L. 1967. “Untersuchungen zur empirisch = mathematischen Analyse der Sorption von Wasserdampf durch Holz.” [In German.] Holz Roh Werkst. 25 (2): 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02621478.
Mårtensson, A. 1992. Mechanical behaviour of wood exposed to humidity variations. Lund, Sweden: Division of Structural Engingeering, Lund Univ.
Merakeb, S., F. Dubois, and C. Petit. 2009. “Modeling of the sorption hysteresis for wood.” Wood Sci. Technol. 43 (7–8): 575–589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-009-0249-2.
Naderi, N., and R. E. Hernandez. 1997. “Effect of re-wetting treatment on the dimensional changes of sugar maple wood.” Wood Fiber Sci. 29 (4): 340–344.
Nelson, R. M., Jr. 1984. “A method for describing equilibrium moisture content of forest fuels.” Can. J. For. Res. 14 (4): 597–600. https://doi.org/10.1139/x84-108.
Okoh, K. I., and C. Skaar. 2007. “Moisture sorption isotherms of the wood and inner bark of ten southern US hardwoods.” Wood Fiber Sci. 12 (2): 98–111.
Olek, W., J. Majka, and Ł. Czajkowski. 2013. “Sorption isotherms of thermally modified wood.” Holzforschung 67 (2): 183–191. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2011-0260.
Ozyhar, T., S. Hering, and P. Niemz. 2012. “Moisture-dependent elastic and strength anisotropy of European beech wood in tension.” J. Mater. Sci. 47 (16): 6141–6150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6534-8.
Peirce, F. T. 1929. “16—A two-phase theory of the absorption of water vapour by cotton cellulose.” J. Text. Inst. Trans. 20 (6): T133–T150. https://doi.org/10.1080/19447022908661486.
Plötze, M., and P. Niemz. 2011. “Porosity and pore size distribution of different wood types as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry.” Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 69 (4): 649–657. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-010-0504-0.
Pontin, M. 2006. “Shrinkage of three tropical hardwoods below and above the fiber saturation point.” Wood Fiber Sci. 38 (3): 474–483.
Redman, A. L., H. Bailleres, and P. Perré. 2011. “Characterization of viscoelastic, shrinkage and transverse anatomy properties of four Australian hardwood species.” Wood Mater. Sci. Eng. 6 (3): 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480272.2010.535014.
Redman, A. L., H. Bailleres, I. Turner, and P. Perré. 2016. “Characterisation of wood–water relationships and transverse anatomy and their relationship to drying degrade.” Wood Sci. Technol. 50 (4): 739–757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-016-0818-0.
Rijsdijk, J. F., and P. B. Laming. 1994. Physical and related properties of 145 timbers: Information for practice. Dordrechet, Netherlands: Springer.
Rizanti, D. E., et al. 2018. “Comparison of teak wood properties according to forest management: Short versus long rotation.” Ann. For. Sci. 75: 39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-018-0716-8.
Rode, C., and C. O. Clorius. 2004. “Modeling of moisture transport in wood with hysteresis and temperature dependent sorption characteristics.” In Proc., Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings IX. Oak Ridge, TN: Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Shi, J., and S. Avramidis. 2017. “Water sorption hysteresis in wood: I review and experimental patterns—Geometric characteristics of scanning curves.” Holzforschung 71 (4): 307–316. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2016-0120.
Simpson, W. 1973. “Predicting equilibrium moisture content of wood by mathematical models.” Wood Fiber 5 (1): 41–49.
Simpson, W. 2007. “Sorption theories applied to wood.” Wood Fiber Sci. 12 (3): 183–195.
Sing, K. S. W. 1982. “Reporting physisorption data for gas/solid systems with special reference to the determination of surface area and porosity (provisional).” Pure Appl. Chem. 54 (11): 2201–2218. https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198254112201.
Skaar, C. 1988a. “Hygroexpansion in wood.” In Wood-water relations, 122–176. Berlin: Springer.
Skaar, C. 1988b. Wood-water relations. Berlin: Springer.
Standards Australia. 1998. Glued laminated structural timber. AS/NZS 1328. Sydney, Australia: Standards Australia.
Standards Australia. 2010. Timber - Bond performance of structural adhesives. AS/NZS 4364. Sydney, Australia: Standards Australia.
Thygesen, L. G., E. Tang Engelund, and P. Hoffmeyer. 2010. “Water sorption in wood and modified wood at high values of relative humidity. Part I: Results for untreated, acetylated, and furfurylated Norway spruce.” Holzforschung 64 (3): 315–323. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf.2010.044.
Time, B. 1998. “Hygroscopic moisture transport in wood.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Building and Construction Engineering, Norwegian Univ. of Science and Technology.
Time, B. 2002. “Studies on hygroscopic moisture transport in Norway spruce (Picea abies). Part 2: Modelling of transient moisture transport and hysteresis in wood.” Holz Roh Werkst. 60 (6): 405–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-002-0334-9.
Usta, I. 2003. “Comparative study of wood density by specific amount of void volume (porosity).” Turk. J. Agric. For. 27 (1): 1–6.
Xue, J., M. O. Kimberley, C. Ross, G. Gielen, L. A. Tremblay, O. Champeau, J. Horswell, and H. Wang. 2015. “Ecological impacts of long-term application of biosolids to a radiata pine plantation.” Sci. Total Environ. 530–531 (Oct): 233–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.05.096.
Zauer, M., S. Hempel, A. Pfriem, V. Mechtcherine, and A. Wagenführ. 2014a. “Investigations of the pore-size distribution of wood in the dry and wet state by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry.” Wood Sci. Technol. 48 (6): 1229–1240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-014-0671-y.
Zauer, M., J. Kretzschmar, L. Großmann, A. Pfriem, and A. Wagenführ. 2014b. “Analysis of the pore-size distribution and fiber saturation point of native and thermally modified wood using differential scanning calorimetry.” Wood Sci. Technol. 48 (1): 177–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-013-0597-9.
Zhang, X., W. Zillig, H. M. Künzel, X. Zhang, and C. Mitterer. 2015. “Evaluation of moisture sorption models and modified Mualem model for prediction of desorption isotherm for wood materials.” Build. Environ. 92 (Oct): 387–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.05.021.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 11 • November 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 6, 2020
Accepted: Mar 12, 2021
Published online: Aug 26, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jan 26, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- A.A. Chiniforush, A. Ataei, H.R. Valipour, T.D. Ngo, S. Malek, Dimensional stability and moisture-induced strains in spruce cross-laminated timber (CLT) under sorption/desorption isotherms, Construction and Building Materials, 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129252, 356, (129252), (2022).
- A.A. Chiniforush, H.R. Valipour, M.A. Bradford, A. Akbar Nezhad, Experimental and theoretical investigation of long-term performance of steel-timber composite beams, Engineering Structures, 10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113314, 249, (113314), (2021).
- A.A. Chiniforush, H.R. Valipour, A. Akbarnezhad, Long-term coupled analysis of steel-timber composite (STC) beams, Construction and Building Materials, 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122348, 278, (122348), (2021).