Moisture measurement in building materials: an overview of current methods and new approaches

• Published in: Building services engineering research & technology 2007-11, Vol.28 (4), p.303-316
• Main Authors: Phillipson, M.C., Baker, P.H., Davies, M., Ye, Z., McNaughtan, A., Galbraith, G.H., McLean, R.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Building materials; Climate change; Drilling; Engineering; Facilities management; Laboratories; Mathematical models; Measurement; Measurement techniques; Methods; Moisture; Moisture content; Porous materials; Professionals; Studies
• ISSN: 0143-6244; 1477-0849
• DOI: 10.1177/0143624407084184

The measurement of moisture in building materials has been of importance to building professionals for many years to aid them in diagnosing the nature and cause of building defects. Likewise building researchers have developed an extensive selection of measurement approaches to aid them in more detailed studies of the fundamental physical processes that underlie moisture transport. This paper reviews current moisture measurement practices within the UK, and examines the more sophisticated techniques being utilised, including three particular techniques: dual probe heat pulse method; time domain reflectometry; and more sophisticated electrical approaches. These three are currently the focus of a study to evaluate how advanced research techniques can be applied to the in-situ measurement of moisture contents in practice. Practical application: This paper reviews the current UK application of measurement techniques to assessing the moisture content of building materials. It discusses the differences between the techniques used by building professionals and building researchers, and highlights potential areas currently in development which may yield more advanced site measurement options in the future.