Project

Development of Moisture Monitoring, Assessment and Management Systems for the Australian Mass Timber Construction Industry

Project Description

This project builds upon the previous project completed by QLD DPI’s team on moisture movement studies in in mass timber. The project aims to address the current industry’s questions around moisture monitoring requirements and methods/protocols in mass timber buildings during and post-construction. The project team will collaborate with mass timber manufacturers, building physics engineers, architects, and building maintenance teams to examine cases of moisture intrusion and determine the necessary measures for reducing moisture during and post-construction. This will be completed through:

  • Investigating the impact of moisture exposure in mass timber buildings within Australian building practices.
  • Exploring technology types/procedures for monitor monitoring and prevention.
  • Developing practical methods and best practices for assessing moisture and removing it from panel structure effectively.
  • Develop knowledge on performance assessment of moisture exposed mass timber products.
  • Developing technical report/best practice manual for industry.

Objectives

The project team will collaborate with timber processors/ manufacturers, building physics engineers, architects, and building maintenance teams to examine cases of moisture intrusion and determine the necessary measures for reducing moisture during and post-construction. This will be completed through:

  • Objective 1: Investigating the impact of moisture exposure in timber buildings and selected set ups (i.e. mass timber, light timber framing – LTF, etc.) within Australian building practices.
  • Objective 2: Exploring technology types/procedures for monitor monitoring and prevention.
  • Objective 3: Developing practical methods and best practices for assessing moisture and removing it from product structure and building elements effectively.
  • Objective 4: Develop knowledge on performance assessment of moisture exposed timber products (i.e. cross laminated timber – CLT, LTF, etc.).
  • Objective 5: Developing technical report/ best practice manual for industry.

Targeted industry focused outcomes

The intended industry focused outcomes of the project are:

  • Develop further understanding of building design effects on moisture changes and requirement for moisture monitoring systems during construction and in-service.
  • Developing protocols and best practices for moisture measurement and monitoring.

Industry impact statement:

The project aims to comprehensively address industry inquiries regarding moisture monitoring requirements, methodologies, and protocols for mass timber buildings during and after construction. By providing detailed guidelines and best practices, this project seeks to enhance construction quality, ensure structural integrity, and promote the long-term durability of mass timber structures.

Impact measurement strategy:

Quantitative: The project will measure and report moisture changes across various building layers during construction and post-construction phases.

Qualitative: Collaboration with mass timber manufacturers, building physics engineers, architects, and building maintenance teams (as project’s steering committee) will be crucial to developing effective best practices for moisture management and monitoring. Input from the Steering Committee will guide the experimental testing and inform project progress and outcomes throughout the project duration.

Objectives/Deliverables

  • Review report or paper on assessment of moisture intrusion cases within Australian construction practices/types (Objectives 1 and 2).
  • Factsheets on the (i) practical approaches to addressing moisture in buildings through drying methods, and (ii) monitoring techniques, technologies and approaches that can be used to detect moisture in structures during and post constructions and post occupation (Objectives 3 and 4).
  • Final Project Report and recommendations. Technical guide/ Best practice manual for industry (Objective 5).

Project Leader/s

Maryam Shirmohammadi

Project Leader; Partner Investigator

Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Project Staff

PhD Candidate

PhD Scholarship Opportunity

Project Investigators

Maryam Shirmohammadi

Project Leader; Partner Investigator

Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Adam Faircloth

PhD Candidate & Affiliate Investigator

Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Mateo Gutierrez

Partner Investigator; Executive Board Member

AKD Softwoods

Marina Milic

Affiliate Investigator

AKD Softwoods

Benoit Gilbert

Chief Investigator; Project Leader

Griffith University

Tom Watts

Affiliate Investigator

Hyne

Simon Dorries

Partner Investigator

Responsible wood

Jennifer Carlsson

Partner Investigator

Stora Enso

Mélanie Bourges

Partner Investigator

Stora Enso

Paola Leardini

Node Leader - Design for Extended Building Life; Project Leader

The University of Queensland

Alex Zecevic

Partner Investigator

TTW

Mark Dewsbury

Node Leader - Timber Building Performance for Occupants; Project Leader

University of Tasmania

Tripti Singh

Project Leader; Chief Investigator

University of the Sunshine Coast

Lead Project Partner Organisation

Project Partners