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Determination of equilibrium moisture content of building materials: some practical difficulties

Kumaran, MK., Mukhopadhyaya, P. and Normandin, N.
2006
Journal of ASTM International, 3(10)
adsorption, desorption, equilibrium moisture content, hysteresis

Kumaran, MK., Mukhopadhyaya, P. and Normandin, N., (2006), "Determination of equilibrium moisture content of building materials: some practical difficulties", Journal of ASTM International, 3(10).
Abstract:
Though the definition of equilibrium moisture content of porous materials is straightforward from the point of view of equilibrium thermodynamics, experimental determination of this quantity may not always be easy. Many factors play roles from an experimentalist's point of view. Hysteresis, the reference dry state, the initial moisture content, the history of the test specimen, the size of the test specimen, the drying technique, and drying temperature - all influence the value that is arrived at by an experimentalist. This paper reports results from several series of measurements on gypsum board, eastern white pine, aerated concrete, and calcium silicate brick using the ASTM Standard C 1498 in the hygroscopic ranges and pressure plate techniques above the hygroscopic range of equilibrium moisture content. These results show the ambiguities that may surround the experimental definition of equilibrium moisture content. The results presented in the paper demand a few refinements in the existing ASTM Standard C 1498 as well as in the procedure that is used in the pressure plate method. The paper proposes a few refinements for both. The need for the development of an ASTM standard for the pressure plate technique is identified.

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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Kumaran, M.
Building Performance Laboratory, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council Canada
  1. A comparison of empirical indoor relative humidity models with measured data
  2. A logical extension of the ASTM Standard E96 to determine the dependence of water vapor transmission on relative humidity
  3. A methodology to develop moisture management strategies for wood-frame walls in North America: application to stucco-clad walls
  4. A thermal and moisture transport property data base for common building and insulating materials (final report)
  5. Application of gamma-ray spectroscopy for determination of moisture distribution in insulating materials
  6. Benchmarking of the advanced hygrothermal model hygIRC with mid scale experiments
  7. Building envelope design, Part 2: estimating field performance of thermal insulation
  8. Criteria for unaccesseptable damage on wood systems
  9. Durability assessments of wood-frame construction using the concept of damage-functions
  10. Effect of exfiltration on the hygrothermal behaviour of a residential wall assembly: results from calculations and computer simulations
  11. Final Report, IEA-Annex 24, Task 3: Material Properties
  12. Indoor and outdoor weather analysis tool for hygrothermal modelling
  13. Influence of material properties on the moisture response of an ideal stucco wall: results from hygrothermal simulation
  14. In-Situ performance evaluation of exterior insulation basement systems (EIBS) - spray polyurethane foam: summary report
  15. MEWS methodology for developing moisture management strategies: application to stucco-clad wood-frame walls in North America
  16. Modeling heat, air and moisture transport through building materials and components
  17. Moisture buffering capacities of five North American building materials
  18. Moisture diffusivity of building materials from water absorption measurements
  19. Moisture transport coefficient of pine from gamma ray absorption measurements
  20. On implementing experimental biological damage-functions models in durability assessment systems
  21. Prediction of moisture response of wood frame walls using IRC's advanced hygrothermal model (hygIRC)
  22. Protecting the long-term performance of building envelope components
  23. Report from Task 4 of MEWS Project - Environmental Conditions, Final Report
  24. Report from Task 8 of MEWS Project - MEWS Methodology for Developing Moisture Management Strategies - Application to Stucco Clad Wood-Frame Walls in North America
  25. Taking guess work out of placing air/vapor barriers
  26. Three-dimensional analysis of thermal resistance of exterior basement insulation systems (EIBS)
  27. Use of hygrothermal numerical modeling to identify optimal retrofit options for high-rise buildings
  28. Vapor transport characteristics of mineral fiber insulation from heat flow meter measurements
  29. Water vapor transmission and moisture accumulation in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams  
Mukhopadhyaya, P.
Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada and Patrick Goudreau University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
  1. A methodology to develop moisture management strategies for wood-frame walls in North America: application to stucco-clad walls
  2. Effect of surface temperature on water absorption coefficient of building materials
  3. Final report from task 7 of MEWS long-term performance: predict the moisture management performance of wall systems as a function of climate, material properties, etc. through mathematical modelling
  4. Influence of material properties on the moisture response of an ideal stucco wall: results from hygrothermal simulation
  5. Influence of sheathing membrane and vapour barrier on hygrothermnal response of stucco walls
  6. Prediction of moisture response of wood frame walls using IRC's advanced hygrothermal model (hygIRC)  
Normandin, N.
Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada and Patrick Goudreau University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
  1. Effect of surface temperature on water absorption coefficient of building materials
  2. In-Situ performance evaluation of exterior insulation basement systems (EIBS) - spray polyurethane foam: summary report
  3. Summary Report from Task 3 of MEWS Project at the Institute for Research in Construction - Hygrothermal Properties of Several Building Materials  


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