Environmental response of a CLT floor panel: Lessons for moisture management and monitoring of mass timber buildings. (15th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Evan L.; Riggio, Mariapaola; Barbosa, Andre R.; Mugabo, Ignace
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 148(2019)
• Page Start: 609
• Page End: 622
• Publication Date: 2019-01-15
• Subjects: Cross-laminated timber -- Mass timber -- Moisture -- Hygrothermal performance; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.11.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is becoming increasingly adopted into North American construction, yet little is known about the impacts of environmental exposure (e.g., to rain during construction) on its long-term performance. The lack of protocols for on-site moisture protection in North America makes it a pressing matter to determine general moisture responses of this material in order to establish a behavioral baseline for practitioners and future researchers. A CLT floor panel sample was exposed to cycles of wetting and drying in an environmental chamber. During these cycles, physical and geometrical properties of the panel were monitored. Testing results indicate that discontinuities in the layup CLT affects the hygroscopic behavior of the product. While the panel showed high dimensional stability, it also exhibited checking, cupping, and interfacial shearing after cycling. Bending test results before and after cycling indicated a reduction of the structural capacity due to the weathering. Highlights: Gaps in the surface, in conjunction with wane, created a matrix of openings for ingress. Moisture can remain or continue to accumulate at the core, even during drying conditions. Checking, cupping and inter-facial shearing were pronounced, especially at edges. A reduction of the structural capacity was observed in the weathered samples. MC sampling should account for high spatial variability and acute sensor sensitivity.