Suitability of time domain reflectometry for monitoring moisture in building materials

Mark C. Phillipson; Paul H. Baker; M. Davies; Z. Ye; Graham H. Galbraith; R. Craig McLean

doi:10.1177/0143624408092423

Suitability of time domain reflectometry for monitoring moisture in building materials

Mark C. Phillipson, Paul H. Baker, M. Davies, Z. Ye, Graham H. Galbraith, R. Craig McLean

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has been used since the 1980s for measuring the moisture content of soils. The principle of TDR is based on measuring the reflection time of an electromagnetic signal sent down a set of waveguides that are inserted into the material. This paper reports research work examining the suitability of TDR for measuring the moisture content of building materials. Results suggest that TDR is an effective way of monitoring relative changes in the moisture content. Measurement of absolute moisture content is more complicated as it requires a calibration function, and the existing empirical relationships used in the soil sciences consistently overestimate the moisture content. A semi-empirical calibration relationship has been found to offer a better approach to absolute moisture content evaluation with TDR.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	261-272
Number of pages	12
Journal	Building Services Engineering Research and Technology
Volume	29
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0143624408092423
Publication status	Published - 1 Aug 2008

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Keywords

moisture content
building materials
environmental science

Cite this

Phillipson, M. C., Baker, P. H., Davies, M., Ye, Z., Galbraith, G. H., & McLean, R. C. (2008). Suitability of time domain reflectometry for monitoring moisture in building materials. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology, 29(3), 261-272. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143624408092423

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abstract = "Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has been used since the 1980s for measuring the moisture content of soils. The principle of TDR is based on measuring the reflection time of an electromagnetic signal sent down a set of waveguides that are inserted into the material. This paper reports research work examining the suitability of TDR for measuring the moisture content of building materials. Results suggest that TDR is an effective way of monitoring relative changes in the moisture content. Measurement of absolute moisture content is more complicated as it requires a calibration function, and the existing empirical relationships used in the soil sciences consistently overestimate the moisture content. A semi-empirical calibration relationship has been found to offer a better approach to absolute moisture content evaluation with TDR.",

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author = "Phillipson, {Mark C.} and Baker, {Paul H.} and M. Davies and Z. Ye and Galbraith, {Graham H.} and McLean, {R. Craig}",

note = "<p>Originally published in: Building Services Engineering Research and Technology (2008), 29 (3), pp.261-272.</p>",

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AU - Phillipson, Mark C.

AU - Baker, Paul H.

AU - Davies, M.

AU - Ye, Z.

AU - Galbraith, Graham H.

AU - McLean, R. Craig

N1 - <p>Originally published in: Building Services Engineering Research and Technology (2008), 29 (3), pp.261-272.</p>

PY - 2008/8/1

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N2 - Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has been used since the 1980s for measuring the moisture content of soils. The principle of TDR is based on measuring the reflection time of an electromagnetic signal sent down a set of waveguides that are inserted into the material. This paper reports research work examining the suitability of TDR for measuring the moisture content of building materials. Results suggest that TDR is an effective way of monitoring relative changes in the moisture content. Measurement of absolute moisture content is more complicated as it requires a calibration function, and the existing empirical relationships used in the soil sciences consistently overestimate the moisture content. A semi-empirical calibration relationship has been found to offer a better approach to absolute moisture content evaluation with TDR.

AB - Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has been used since the 1980s for measuring the moisture content of soils. The principle of TDR is based on measuring the reflection time of an electromagnetic signal sent down a set of waveguides that are inserted into the material. This paper reports research work examining the suitability of TDR for measuring the moisture content of building materials. Results suggest that TDR is an effective way of monitoring relative changes in the moisture content. Measurement of absolute moisture content is more complicated as it requires a calibration function, and the existing empirical relationships used in the soil sciences consistently overestimate the moisture content. A semi-empirical calibration relationship has been found to offer a better approach to absolute moisture content evaluation with TDR.

KW - moisture content

KW - building materials

KW - environmental science

U2 - 10.1177/0143624408092423

DO - 10.1177/0143624408092423

M3 - Article

VL - 29

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EP - 272

JO - Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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Documents and Links

10.1177/0143624408092423

http://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/bne/188