Modelling Moisture Conditions of Norway Spruce (Picea abies): First Validation Against a Global Experiment

Jonas Niklewski; Lukas Emmerich; Mari Sand Austigard; Djeison C Batista; Gabrielle Boivin; Lili Cai; Jos Creemers; Miha Humar; Ulrich Hundhausen; Claudia Marcela Ibañez; S Nami Kartal; Martina Meincken; Antonia K Möller; Tripti Singh; Daniel Wong; Christian Brischke

doi:10.14324/111.444/ucloe.icmb25

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Modelling Moisture Conditions of Norway Spruce (Picea abies): First Validation Against a Global Experiment

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Modelling Moisture Conditions of Norway Spruce (Picea abies): First Validation Against a Global Experiment

Jonas Niklewski, Lukas Emmerich, Mari Sand Austigard, Djeison C Batista, Gabrielle Boivin, Lili Cai, Jos Creemers, Miha Humar, Ulrich Hundhausen, Claudia Marcela Ibañez, …

pp.1-10

International Conference on Moisture in Buildings, 3rd (Guimarães, Portugal, 23-Oct-2025–24-Oct-2025)

UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB)

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444/ucloe.icmb25

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Abstract

wood

moisture conditions

durability

model

experiment

gravimetric

Wood used in outdoor construction is consistently subjected to wetting by precipitation. High levels of moisture content, especially if sustained over long periods, promote fungal decay and structural degradation. Predicting temporal variation of moisture content in wood exposed to rain is essential for durability assessment, and simple fit-for-purpose numerical approaches have been developed for this purpose. While these models do not fully describe the complex dynamics of free water transport, they have been shown to capture the relevant features for durability assessment. Extensive validation is however necessary to assess their applicability, robustness and limitations. This study valuates a numerical model for moisture content prediction of Norway spruce (Picea abies) boards by comparing its outputs to measurements from 12 locations around the world, all using the same parameter settings. Overall, the model aligned with observed trends and demonstrated robustness across diverse climates, though some discrepancies likely stemmed from weather data inconsistencies and inherent simplifications. The results confirm its reliability for durability-related moisture assessments and suggest refinements to further enhance performance.

Details

Title: Modelling Moisture Conditions of Norway Spruce (Picea abies): First Validation Against a Global Experiment
Authors: Jonas Niklewski - Lund University
Lukas Emmerich - NRW-DE
Mari Sand Austigard - Mycoteam
Djeison C Batista - Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo
Gabrielle Boivin - FPInnovations
Lili Cai - University of Idaho
Jos Creemers - Stichting Hout Research (Netherlands)
Miha Humar - University of Ljubljana
Ulrich Hundhausen - Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology
Claudia Marcela Ibañez - Universidad de la República de Uruguay
S Nami Kartal - Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
Martina Meincken - Stellenbosch University
Antonia K Möller - University of Göttingen
Tripti Singh - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life
Daniel Wong - FPInnovations
Christian Brischke - Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut
Publication details: pp.1-10
Conference details: International Conference on Moisture in Buildings, 3rd (Guimarães, Portugal, 23-Oct-2025–24-Oct-2025)
Publisher: UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB)
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.14324/111.444/ucloe.icmb25
Organisation Unit: National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991188344002621
Output Type: Conference paper

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