For the hygrothermal analyses of building envelope systems for insulation design, we tried a natural decay test of wetted wood specimens without any inoculation of fungi. Three principal experimental types: under steady-state conditions (Experiment A), at a cyclic water dripping under Non-steady conditions (Experiment B) and at a cyclic water dipping under-steady conditions (Experiment C), were carried out for this purpose. After these tests, each specimen was determined its longitudinal compression strength. The detection of decay was checked this standard strength value by species according to Japanese building code and its corrected value by these moisture contents. As the results of the Experiment A, some fungal growth was observed within 10 weeks at the moisture contents of levels between 30wt% and 70wt%. As the results of the Experiment B, the simulated condition of short time condensation in summer was observed fungal growth but not affected decay problems within 124 weeks. As the results of the Experiment C, the simulated condition of periodical wetting as under floor or bottom of cladding was not observed any decay.

Download document (403 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document