Moisture content and strain relation in wood by Bragg grating sensor and unilateral NMR

The paper describes a low-invasive experimental apparatus designed for the accurate determination of mechanical deformation and moisture content (MC) relationship on macroscopic wood samples. The device is particularly indicated for monitoring wooden handwork whose mechanical deformation is especially critical in relation to its role such as, for example, works of art or architectural works. The MC of wood is measured with a portable single-sided NMR probe and mechanical deformation by a fiber Bragg grating optical sensor. The data obtained are of high accuracy, despite the dimensions of the sample. The methodology provides an effective tool for investigating the dynamic relation between environmental relative humidity, MC, and shrinking–swelling of wood. Adsorption results collected for longitudinal deformation in silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) are presented to show the sensitivity of the optical sensor. Interesting findings include the detection of two different mechanisms of elongation and the time evolution of water mobility versus hydration and strain.