Chapter 13: Drying and control of moisture content and dimensional changes

Abstract

In the living tree, wood contains large quantities of water. As green wood dries, most of the water is removed. The moisture remaining in the wood tends to come to equilibrium with the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Correct drying, handling, and storage of wood will minimize moisture content changes that might occur after drying when the wood is in service. If moisture content is controlled within reasonable limits by such methods, major problems from dimensional changes can usually be avoided. The discussion in this chapter is concerned with moisture content determination, recommended moisture content values, drying methods, methods of calculating dimensional changes, design factors affecting such changes in structures, and moisture content control during transit, storage, and construction.

Parent Publication

• Wood handbook: Wood as an engineering material

Citation

Bergman, R. 2021. Chapter 13: Drying and control of moisture content and dimensional changes. In: Wood handbook—wood as an engineering material. General Technical Report FPL-GTR-282. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 21 pp.